When the North Carolina coaching staff called a run to the left on the second play of the third quarter Saturday, Michael Carter knew what to expect.
Carter said the offense kept finding success on the same call in the first half. And as he lined up behind Brandon Harris, he thought another hole in the Virginia defense might reveal itself once he received the handoff.
It did. Carter waited patiently behind his offensive line before cutting up a crease to his right. Green grass awaited him. But after sprinting about 30 yards, his eyes gravitated toward the Kenan Stadium video board, where he noticed safety Juan Thornhill in pursuit.