The start of the UNC-USC game was marked by a minute’s silence in honor of former UNC student body president Eve Carson, who was shot and killed earlier this month in Chapel Hill, NC.

Several UNC seniors knew Carson and this was the first opportunity since spring break that they had to pay their respects.

North Carolina took the points early via the boot of flyhalf Ed Perkins and then added some five-pointers on their way to building a 31-10 halftime lead. South Carolina looked a bit lethargic at times whereas UNC jumped out of the blocks fast and didn’t give the opposition a sniff.

“It was just the win we needed after that trip to Arkansas State,” North Carolina head coach Andy Richards told ARN. “I think the difference was that we put an extra 20 points on the board by kicking forward and following up.”

From USC’s standpoint, they gave up too big of a head start and couldn’t peg back the difference.

“They were far superior in the rucks and we had no continuity,” added South Carolina head coach Geoff Mason.
Source: American Rugby News

Despite ARN reporting to the contrary, USC can finish 4th in the South next weekend with a victory over Clemson, thanks to a win earlier in the season over the University of Florida.