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George Pettaway wasted no time making a name for himself at the college level.

Pettaway, a standout running back at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, shined in his freshman debut for North Carolina, scoring a touchdown in the Tar Heels’ 56-24 home win over Florida A&M Saturday before 46,130 at Kenan Stadium to open the season.

Pettaway, who carried the ball four times for 41 yards, eluded multiple Florida A&M defensive players on his way to a 29-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

(See video of Pettaway’s scoring run. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybNnCB33oeQ)

Wearing number 23 for the Tar Heels, Pettaway got his first official collegiate touches in the second quarter, catching a pass for a five-yard loss, and then on the next play, running up the middle for 12 yards. That gain was negated in part by a North Carolina holding penalty.
He had one carry in the third quarter for a short gain before his scoring run in the fourth quarter, which was preceded by a 12-yard run two plays earlier.