The No. 23 Tar Heels rallied in the third quarter to score 28 points after trailing Liberty 22-21 with just under six minutes left. The Flames’ Jacob Hagen picked up a fumble by Quinshad Davis and returned it 27 yards for a score to put the Flames ahead by one with 9:25 left in the third quarter.

North Carolina's Mack Hollins took a short pass from Williams and ran 33 yards to give North Carolina the lead for good at 28-22 with 5:55 left in the period. The Tar Heels then forced three turnovers, linebacker Jeff Schoettmer returning an interception 19 yards for a touchdown and the Tar Heels recovering Liberty fumbles on the next two possessions to set up touchdowns.

After Schoettmer’s return, Williams ran 15 yards for a score and backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky threw a 4-yard touchdown to Jack Tabb, both on drives set up by the fumble recoveries. Williams finished 19-of-29 for 169 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 52 yards and two scores on six carries.

The Flames stayed close for a while thanks to North Carolina's four turnovers, with the fumble returned for a touchdown and one of Williams’ two interceptions setting up another score. Liberty finished with six turnovers.

NOTEBOOK: Although North Carolina head coach Larry Fedora was coy about his starting quarterback, it was no surprise the job went to Williams. He is 7-1 as a starter, after he rallied a 1-5 Tar Heels team to a 7-6 record and bowl win last season. … Trubisky played in both halves and looked solid, going 10-of-16 for 66 yards, a touchdown and an interception off a tipped ball. … Liberty outgained North Carolina in first-half yards 240-214 and finished the game ahead in time of possession.