North Carolina had been on a defensive demise over the past five weeks of football. From giving up 70 points to James Madison to dropping a 21-point lead against Duke, the defense lost multiple games over that losing streak.

The defensive line wasn't getting to the quarterback, the secondary wasn't keeping receivers in front of them, and the linebackers let lead rushers into the secondary, it was just a mess from start to finish.

However, the bye week transformed the North Carolina defense. They came out in vengeance last week against Virginia totaling 10 sacks, 12 tackles for a loss, two interceptions, one touchdown, and 62 tackles.

The total of 10 sacks was marked the most in a single game by a North Carolina defense since 2000 at Wake Forest.

Seven players got in on the party including Kaimon Rucker, who had three sacks, and Beau Atkinson, who had two sacks. Antavious Lane, Amare Campbell, Alijah Huzzie, Jahvaree Ritzie, and Desmond Evans all had one sack each.

Rucker also had 3.5 tackles for a loss and an interception. Ritzie had the other interception and returned it for an 84-yard pick-six.

Atkinson had 2.5 tackles for a loss, and Lane had 1.5 as well. Lane led the team in total tackles with nine on the day, including eight solo tackles.

Hopefully, North Carolina can carry that defensive momentum into the next game against Florida State on the road in another ACC game.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire : UNC hits historical defensive mark in Week 10 win over Virginia