n Perez for third with four laps to go.Tear-jerker of the race

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Nursing an eight-point lead with just over 12 minutes left Saturday, North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trupisky heaved the ball deep toward Ryan Switzer but instead connected with the back of an Illinois defensive back.No problem, as it turned out. The ball bounced high and came down in the hands of Tar Heel tight end Jake Bargas for a first down that set up a touchdown that gave North Carolina a 38-23 lead.Sometimes, its just your night, and Saturday was Trupiskys.The junior quarterback threw for 265 yards and two touchdowns and ran for two more scores Saturday to lead the Tar Heels to a 48-23 win at Illinois.We took what the defense gave us, Trupisky said. We were just rolling; whoever was open was making plays. Our o-line did a good job all night. We just kept attacking the areas they were giving us on the field.Trubisky was coming off a workmanlike performance a week earlier against Georgia that wasnt enough to deliver a win.On Saturday, he was 19-24 passing and didnt throw an interception. And he carried the ball nine times for 42 yards.He played well tonight, he took care of the football, North Carolina coach Larry Fedora said. He ran the ball effectively and I thought he was into it, sharp, focused and tough and thats what I expect from him.Early on, Trubisky had to lead the Tar Heels (1-1) from behind.Illinois (1-1) went up 7-0 on the opening drive on a 65-yard KeShawn VAugh touchdown run while North Carolinas offense started slow.Trubisky jump-started the attack, rushing for two short touchdowns by the end of the first quarter and giving UNC a 17-14 lead it never gave up.The Tar Heels held Illinois quarterback Wes Lunt to 127 yards and two touchdowns on 17-35 passing.Illinois also struggled with penalties. They were flagged 13 times for 99 yards.First-year Illinois coach Lovie Smith called the game a learning experience for his team, but had no explanation for the penalties.If you have a penalty, how do you explain it? Dont do it, he said. Sometimes you have to see what they do to your team. Winning teams dont do it.A year ago North Carolina easily handled Illinois at home, winning 48-14 and beginning a run that took the Tar Heels to the ACC title game and a bowl game.THE TAKEAWAYNORTH CAROLINA: Trubisky looked like a quarterback who can take North Carolina places, and while he was sacked twice his line otherwise protected him against an Illinois defensive line that punished Murray State in its opener. But before a late 62-yard touchdown when the game was all but decided, North Carolina struggled to get tailback Elijah Hood going. Aside from that TD he finished with 26 yards on 14 carries. UNC will need him when ACC play starts Sept. 24.ILLINOIS: A week after a 52-3 win over Murray State gave the beginning of Smiths tenure a feel-good start, the new Illinois coach has a much better idea of what he needs to fix. The Illini ran the ball well at times and the defense limited the Tar Heels run game. But 13 penalties cost Illinois 99 yards. And North Carolinas speed exposed Illinois secondary.LUNT IN CHECKLunt credited the North Carolina defense for shutting off his receivers for much of the night, calling the Tar Heel secondary the strength of their defense. Just seven of Lunts 17 completions went to Illinois wideouts.INJURY REPORTThe game was potentially costly for Illinois. Starting left guard Gabe Megginson had to be helped off the field in the fourth quarter with a leg injury and a Tar Heel defender fell over the back of his legs. And backup safety Caleb Day had to be helped off the field late I the second quarter after injuring his left leg. He did not return. The Illini also played without starting punter Ryan Frain, who Smith said was injured in a biking accident. It was not clear when Frain will return.UP NEXTNORTH CAROLINA: The Tar Heels will finally see their home field on Saturday, playing their first game at Kenan Memorial Stadium this season, against James Madison. James Madison opened season with an 80-7 win over Morehead State.ILLINOIS: Illinois will play its third straight home game, hosting Western Michigan on Saturday. The Broncos will come to Champaign having already upset Northwestern.---Follow David Mercer on Twitter: (at)davidmercerAPAssociated Press college football: collegefootball.ap.org Aleksander Barkov Jersey . Kozun faked to the forehand and beat Monsters starter, Calvin Pickard, pad side in the second round for the winner. Spencer Abbott also scored in the shootout for the Marlies (25-13-4). Keith Yandle Jersey . Spiller left Week 3s 27-20 loss to the New York Jets with a thigh injury, but fully practiced with the team all week and expects to be ready to go on Sunday. http://www.hockeypanthersofficialonline.com/mark-pysyk-hockey-jersey/ . Wall made the comment in a speech to a Regina business crowd that included Lesnar. The U.S. wrestler and retired mixed martial artist says he was visiting his brothers farm in Saskatchewan and decided he wanted to hear what the premier had to say. Aleksander Barkov Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. Ian McCoshen Panthers Jersey . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. ESPN looks at the major talking points from a chaotic and rain-delayed Brazilian Grand Prix, as Max Verstappen stole the plaudits and Lewis Hamilton ensured the championship fight goes to Abu Dhabi.?Shock: Red Bulls gamble to go on to intermediate tyres with both Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo after the final race restart. The rain intensified and both men had to pit to swap back to the full-wet tyre. Verstappens pace at the end suggested a win was there for the taking.Shocker: The only thing worse than losing control in the rain is doing it before the race has started. Romain Grosjean did just that, spinning off at the final corner of his exploratory lap to the grid and smashing his Haas into the wall. It ended a race that had looked so promising for the Haas driver having qualified in seventh position.The FIA was saved by the thrilling final half an hour -- the focus would have otherwise been on several questionable Safety Car and red flag calls.?Overtake of the race: Verstappen was on another level. His pass on Rosberg for second through Turns 2 and 3 was remarkable, going around the outside of the championship leader as he struggled for grip, in almost zero visibility. It may well go down as the pass of the season.Honourable mentions are also Red Bull awards: Daniel Ricciardo opting to pass Felipe Nasr around the outside of Turn 1, which was not the prefeerred option throughout the weekend.dddddddddddd However, Verstappen could have won the award twice over for the heartstopping pass on Perez for third with four laps to go.Tear-jerker of the race: Felipe Massa was given an emotional send-off in Brazil. He might not have wanted to finish with his car in the wall, but his walk down the pit lane, crying and draped in a Brazilian flag, was followed by a guard of honour from Mercedes and then former team Ferrari in front of his adoring home fans. A fitting send off for one of the sports best-loved drivers.?Save of the race: Verstappen, again, saving his car on lap 38 when it looked like he was about to brand the pit entry wall with a Red Bull. Not only did he save the car, he held on to second position despite Nico Rosberg getting alongside him into Turn 1.Drive of the day: Easy awarding this one. This felt like a coming-of-age race for Verstappen, a defining moment in a young career that keeps getting better and better. Hes had his critics this year but this race was sublime -- only Lewis Hamilton looked as comfortable in the wet conditions, with Verstappen passing cars like he was on a different circuit.Honourable mention to Felipe Nasr for an invaluable ninth for Sauber at his home race. ' ' '