WATCH: Josh Downs lays out for an amazing touchdown grab
Sophomore wideout Josh Downs just made this spectacular diving catch for the touchdown.
With the North Carolina Tarheels already leading against ACC rival, Virginia Cavaliers, Tarheels quarterback Sam Howell delivered a 37-yard strike to his sophomore wideout.
On a first-and-10 from the 37, North Carolina came out in a trips wide left formation. Downs was lined up in the slot position of the trips. As the ball was hiked, he shot down the field on a post route, crossing the Virginia safety’s face. The Cavaliers were in a deep cover three, but because the corner on the single side of the field was held in place by his receiver’s dig route, it left his zone wide open. Howell launched it to the back right corner of the endzone where Downs made that amazing diving catch.
Downs and the Tar-Heels season so far
Downs and the Tarheels were expected to compete for the ACC crown and possibly a College Football Playoff berth, this season. But those expectations took a hit in week one when they were upset by the Virginia Tech Hokies. The then-No. 10 ranked Tar-Heels fell 17-10 on the road to the Hokies. yet Downs showed up in that game for North Carolina. He had eight catches for 123 yards and the team’s only touchdown in the game. That loss hurt double as the Virginia Tech-loss is an in-conference loss.
In the Tarheels game last week, Downs had a quieter performance, but still put up some nice numbers. He had eight catches for 73 yards and one touchdown. Although he had a slight dip in production; North Carolina rolled in the game beating Georgia State 59-17.
Tonight’s game is against another ACC member and Virginia-based school. The Cavaliers come into this game riding a two-game win streak. They have wins over William & Mary University in week one and Illinois Fighting Illini in week two.
If North Carolina and Josh Downs can snag the win like he did that catch, the Tarheels will still be right in the thick of the hunt for that ACC title.