Defense dominates as North Carolina topples Virginia

Elijah Hood scored twice to help North Carolina overcome a slow start, and the Tar Heels dominated the second half in a 26-13 win over Virginia. The win moves North Carolina to 6-1, and it was another reminder that this is a far different defense under Gene Chizik than the Heels had a year ago. North Carolina has held its opponents to 17 points or less in six of seven games this season — something that had happened just eight times in Larry Fedora’s first three years on the job.

What the win means for North Carolina: The Tar Heels certainly didn’t play their best football, but in a clear look-ahead situation, they did enough to win. UNC is now bowl eligible and remains tied atop the Coastal…