Skip to main content
Join Now
Team Avatar
North Carolina

North Carolina gets controversial pass interference penalty on Marcus Allen interception, Bill Belichick irate

IMG_6598by: Nick Kosko13 hours agonickkosko59
USATSI_27415764 (1)
Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

North Carolina was called for a pass interference penalty tied 10-10 in the third quarter on a would-be Marcus Allen interception. Head coach Bill Belichick was none too pleased as Virginia‘s drive stayed alive going deeper into UNC territory.

ACC Network color analyst and former coach Steve Addazio even said he “didn’t see anything” on the TV replay. Television cameras also caught Belichick arguing with officials on the sideline.

You can see the play below where Allen appeared to make a nice play for the interception. However, North Carolina was penalized, continuing the drive for the Cavaliers.

The good news is, North Carolina was able to hold serve on defense. UNC forced a turnover on downs despite Virginia having goal to go for a touchdown. The score remained tied 10-10 with 8:03 remaining int the third quarter. Crisis averted!

We’ll see if the stop can help lead UNC to an upset over No. 16 Virginia. The Cavaliers came in at 6-1 and 3-0 in ACC play while North Carolina was 2-4 and 0-2 in conference games.

Funny enough, the Tar Heels had to punt after stopping UVA on downs. But the defense got the ball right back, forcing an interception that counted against Virginia QB Chandler Morris. Andrew Simpson was on the receiving end for North Carolina.

North Carolina looked like it would have an opportunity to get its first ACC victory in a Friday night primetime matchup the other week. The Tar Heels kept things close with Cal during their game in Berkeley and had an opportunity to score the go-ahead touchdown.

However, Nathan Leacock fumbled at the goal line, and Cal recovered it in the end zone for a touchback. That allowed Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele to lead a game-sealing drive and send North Carolina to a 2-4 overall record, including an 0-2 mark in league play.

It was an up-and-down day for UNC quarterback Gio Lopez, who went 19 of 35 for 167 yards and zero passing touchdowns. After the game, Belichick pointed out some issues throughout the game, but said the film would tell him more about Lopez’s performance. Perhaps Saturday will be the Tar Heels’ chance at that first ACC win in 2025.