After Saturday’s weak game against James Madison, there were few positives for the UNC football team.

The Tar Heels allowed JMU to rush for 611 yards and score 70 points against them. The Dukes scored seven offensive touchdowns, with quarterback Alonza Barnett accounting for all seven (five passing, two rushing), while their defense added two more touchdowns with a blocked punt and a pick-six.

And was there anything positive to report for North Carolina on Saturday? That was new starting quarterback Jacolby Criswell, who – despite a lost fumble and two interceptions – set a new career high with 475 yards and three touchdowns.

Criswell particularly shined on his two touchdown throws in the first half. He threw a 35-yard touchdown to tight end John Copenhaver in the first quarter and then opened his scoring career in the second quarter when he threw a 34-yard catch-and-run to starting tight end Bryson Nesbit.

““He made some great shots,” UNC head coach Mack Brown said of Criswell. “Just incredible shots. That was the first real game he’s started since he’s been here. I think he started about 4 years ago. He played one half. But today he made some incredible shots and he’s only going to get better. And he was scouted a lot, they (JMU) blitzed him a lot. He was definitely the one bright spot.”

Criswell’s third and final touchdown pass went to freshman Jordan Shipp, who caught a 5-yard over-the-shoulder pass for his first career touchdown.

It’s extremely difficult to think positively after a game like today, but knowing that North Carolina has found its starting quarterback is a reason to celebrate.

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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: New UNC starting QB Jacolby Criswell shows solid play in his first start despite turnovers