Omarion Hampton had a career-best performance, running for 244 yards on 35 carries and scoring a key late touchdown to help North Carolina defeat Wake Forest 31-24 on Saturday night, securing the Tar Heels’ bowl eligibility.
Hampton, who has topped 100 rushing yards in eight consecutive games, powered his way into the end zone with a 2-yard touchdown run after hurdling defenders and pushing through contact with 2:26 left, giving North Carolina a 31-17 lead.
His touchdown run set new career highs in both carries and rushing yards, leading the Tar Heels (6-4, 3-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) to their third straight win. Hampton also moved into fifth place on North Carolina’s all-time rushing list with 3,327 yards, surpassing Don McCauley and Kelvin Bryant.
“He’s tough, he takes care of the ball, he protects in the passing game,” said UNC coach Mack Brown. “He’s very humble. He never asks for the ball. I guess you don’t have to when you get it 35 times. But he usually makes the plays when he has to to help us win the game.”
Jacolby Criswell contributed with both a rushing touchdown and a passing touchdown for North Carolina. On defense, linebacker Power Echols made a leaping interception and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter.
Demond Claiborne rushed for 95 yards and two touchdowns for Wake Forest (4-6, 2-4), who came into the game with an undefeated road record.
However, the Demon Deacons lost three turnovers, including a crucial fumble by quarterback Michael Kern, who was stripped of the ball by Joshua Harris deep in Wake Forest’s own territory with 5:08 remaining. That turnover set up Hampton’s final touchdown.
“At times I don’t think we’ve grasped the details of what it takes to win a game like that,” said Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson. “The yardage was equal, the third downs were equal, and the red-zone situations were equal. But it all came down to those three turnovers we had that were absolute killers.”
Kern, who replaced starter Hank Bachmeier after Bachmeier was injured early in the third quarter, threw for 172 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.
He connected with Taylor Morin for a 40-yard pass and later found him for a 16-yard touchdown with 75 seconds left to give Wake Forest a chance. However, North Carolina recovered the ensuing onside kick to run out the clock and secure the victory.
