Jacolby Criswell talks about his return to UNC football and his position as quarterback of the Tar Heels
Following the UNC football team’s win over NC Central, quarterback Jacolby Criswell talked about his return to Chapel Hill and the chance to play for the Tar Heels again.
The North Carolina football club did not get its money’s worth in its pay game against James Madison.
The Tar Heels, who entered the game undefeated, conceded a school-record 53 points in the first half on Saturday at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill. The Dukes finished the game with 70 points against a UNC defense that had no answer in the air or on the ground, losing 70-50. JMU totaled 609 yards, including 388 passing and 221 running, before sending the ball to its knees to end the game.
Tight end Kyle Logan made an 11-yard catch from quarterback Alonza Barnett III with 4:26 left in the game, setting the UNC school record for most points allowed. According to the broadcast, it was the most points scored at the stadium, which has hosted games since 1927.
REQUIRED READING: UNC Football vs James Madison, result today: Dukes score 50 points in the first half
The most points UNC has ever allowed in a game came a decade ago, on Sept. 13, 2014, when the Tar Heels lost 70-41 to East Carolina.
Perhaps the worst part of the Tar Heels’ performance on Saturday? UNC paid the Dukes six figures for the embarrassment. Here’s what you need to know about UNC’s payout to JMU:
How much did James Madison pay the UNC football team?
While the loss will hurt, the amount the Tar Heels paid to play the Dukes will be even worse. For the chance to break a UNC road record, JMU received a $500,000 payout to embarrass UNC on its home court, according to a contract obtained by the USA TODAY Network.
According to the contract, the agreement took effect with a second amendment on August 5, 2020, after the schools initially agreed to the game on May 7, 2018. The second amendment moved the game from November 22, 2025, to September 21.
The Dukes scored 25 points in the first quarter, including a point on a blocked punt return by Jayden Mines. They added 28 points in the second quarter, reaching 60 with a point early in the second half. Terrence Spencer returned a 33-yard interception before the end of the half to make the halftime score 53-21. The most points the Tar Heels had allowed in a half before Saturday was 45.
Barnett III finished the game completing 22 of 34 passes for 388 yards and five passing touchdowns. He also had 13 carries for 99 yards and two scores. The seven total touchdowns were a school record. George Pettaway had 16 carries for 87 yards, while Cam Ross caught seven passes for 107 yards and a TD. Omarion Dollison caught three passes for 125 yards and a score.
