Box Score (PDF) | Post-Game Notes (PDF)

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The 5th-ranked Citadel football team fell to North Carolina in Kenan Stadium on Saturday afternoon in the final game of the 2016 regular season. 

The Citadel (10-1) drove down the field on its first drive but missed a field goal from 25 yards out, giving North Carolina (8-3) the ball on their own 20-yard line. The Bulldogs defense held tough against three pass plays and forced the Tar Heels to punt, taking over on their own 34-yard line. But The Citadel's offense was forced to punt after they were unable to capitalize on a nine-yard run by Reggie Williams on the first play of the drive.

North Carolina started its second drive on its own 24-yard line and drove 76 yards down the field before connecting on a 19-yard touchdown pass. The score gave the Tar Heels a 7-0 lead with 3:10 remaining in the first quarter. UNC found the end zone again one minute later after completing a 72-yard pass, pushing the score to 14-0 with 1:15 remaining in the first quarter. 

The score remained 14-0 until the 11:09 mark in the second quarter when the Tar Heels connected on another touchdown pass to make it 21-0. North Carolina scored again just a short time later after intercepting a pass and returning it for a touchdown, making it 28-0. 

With 1:58 left in the half the Bulldogs fumbled. The original call on the field was that Williams was down before losing the ball but North Carolina challenged the call and it was overturned, giving UNC the ball on the Bulldogs' 47-yard line. The Citadel's defense held strong on the drive, forcing the Tar Heels to settle for a field goal after Ben Roberts broke up the third-down pass. 

North Carolina opened the second half by returning the kickoff for a touchdown, pushing the score to 38-0. On The Citadel's second possession of the third quarter, a botched pitch bounced to the ground and the Tar Heels recovered the fumble at the 27-yard line. The Citadel's defense allowed the Tar Heels to gain just three yards on the drive and UNC was forced to settle for a field goal, making it a 41-0 game.

The Bulldogs got on the board with 9:21 left in the fourth quarter as Grant Drakeford broke free for a 28-yard rush up the middle for his first collegiate touchdown. The eight-play, 80-yard drive made it 41-7, and Drakeford finished the game with a career-high 73 yards rushing. Senior Tyler Renew rushed for a team-high 82 yards, pushing his career total to 299 rushing yards in three games against FBS competition.

The Citadel outgained North Carolina 371-356 in total offense to outgain its opponent for the ninth time this season. The Bulldogs had a 344-163 edge in rushing yards over the Tar Heels and outrushed its opponent for the 10th time in 11 games this season.

The Citadel, which finished 8-0 in the Southern Conference to claim the outright conference championship and automatic bid to the FCS Playoffs, finds out its playoff draw Sunday morning as the bracket is announced at 11 a.m. on ESPNU.

For more information on The Citadel football, follow @CitadelFootball or visit CitadelSports.com.