North Carolina handled Wake Forest on Saturday night, defeating the in-state rival 31-24. Behind 260 scrimmage yards from Omarion Hampton and a Power Echols pick-six, the Tar Heels (6-4) are now winners of three straight and bowl eligible for the sixth consecutive season. It wasn't the prettiest effort from either side, as the night kickoff turned ‘Blue Out’ in Kenan Stadium resulted in a sluggish conference battle. That said, North Carolina has revived a once lowly season into one with nine wins still in the picture, and much to still be accomplished.
Here are three things we learned from Saturday's showdown with the Demon Deacons:
North Carolina is making plays when it matters
An Achilles heel of many Mack Brown teams of the past has been the inability to step up in crucial moments.