By R.L. Bynum
CHAPEL HILL — When UNC needed a spark against Stanford, sophomore running back Davion Gause delivered — not just with his legs, but with his hands and his instincts.
Gause, nicknamed “Bullet,” caught three passes for 51 yards and a touchdown, and ran a season-high 11 times for 29 yards. But it wasn’t just the numbers that stood out — it was how he earned them.
“I was just ready for my moment right there, and it came,” Gause said, reflecting on his expanded role in the game.
Known for his physicality and versatility, Gause has quietly become a key piece in UNC’s offensive scheme, especially on third downs. Coaches have called him the best in pass protection, and Gause embraces that role.
“It definitely depends on what the opposing team is doing and their game plan and how we’re going to use each other,” he said. “But I think it just goes by the game as the game’s going on.”
Against Stanford, UNC exploited mismatches, isolating Gause against linebackers in the passing game. One of those plays resulted in a highlight-reel moment — a hurdle over a defender that showcased his athleticism and confidence.
“I had a wheel route, but I was actually hot, and then the corner bumped my hip, and I felt it,” Gause said. “And then when I got to 29, I was just in my mind — hurdle him, and then I just hurdled him.”
That play set up his touchdown, a matchup UNC had targeted.
“Opposing teams really don’t want [the linebackers] outside covering like that,” Gause said. “So, we look for matchups like that to pick on.”
Gause’s emergence is part of a dynamic running back room where different players shine depending on the matchup.
“I feel like all of us bring different abilities to the table,” he said. “I feel like we all just stay ready, and then when our number is called, we all just make plays,” he said, adding that the approach is fluid.
As UNC heads into a stretch of in-state rivalry games, Gause is focused on the fundamentals and staying ready.
“We just kept fighting, keep swinging and taking it one game at a time, and just coming together as one more and just staying at it,” he said.
| Month/ date | Score/ time | Opponent | Record/ TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| September | |||
| 1 | L, 48–14 | vs. TCU | 0–1 |
| 6 | W, 20–3 | at Charlotte | 1–1 |
| 13 | W, 41–6 | vs. Richmond | 2–1 |
| 20 | L, 34–9 | at UCF | 2–2 |
| October | |||
| 4 | L, 38–10 | vs. Clemson | 2–3, 0–1 ACC |
| 17 (Fri.) | L, 21–18 | at California | 2–4, 0–2 |
| 25 | L, 17–16, OT | vs. No. 16 Virginia | 2–5, 0–3 |
| 31 (Fri.) | W, 27–10 | at Syracuse | 3–5, 1–3 |
| November | |||
| 8 | W, 20–15 | vs. Stanford | 4–5, 2–3 |
| 15 | L, 28–12 | at Wake Forest | 4–6, 2–4 |
| 22 | L, 32–25 | vs. Duke | 4–7, 2–5 |
| 29 | L, 42–19 | at N.C. State | 4–8, 2–6 |
Photo via @UNCFootball
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