Georgia State won at the point of attack on both sides of the ball. Georgia State had 2 sacks to UNC’s one. Howell has been sacked 8 times in just 2 games, while our defense has managed just 2 sacks. This is not a recipe for success going forward. We eventually just wore them down, but getting knocked off the ball by a team from the Sun Belt is a cause for concern. Brain Anderson was back at center, but we have yet to play with our entire starting offensive line. Still these guys have plenty of snaps even with the back-ups so you wouldn’t think we would be struggling so much despite it being early in the season. This can’t be the same line that blocked for Michael Carter and Javonte Williams last year. The lone bright spot on the defensive line was sophomore Myles Murphy who had the lone sack and led the team with 2 tackles for a loss. Conley, despite leaving the game early, tied with Kelly with the most tackles at 5. Echols had an interception later in the game and Dillworth had some good snaps in garbage time. If we need to rotate more players in then so be it, but we need to have a better pass rush and run defense. Our senior linebackers Fox and Gemmel had just 1. They need to step up, plain and simple. Once again tackling was an issue, which is beyond me because that is just fundamental football.
The main difference in the game, Sam “wheels” Howell. Georgia State’s QB frequently overthrew his receivers and when he was on target didn't get much help, as there were several drops. This is the difference between having a QB that can pass and one who can’t. The fact that Brown was so excited over his turtle was neat and all, but he isn’t a great passer. Georgia State had only 90 passing yards and the starter Brown only had 68 of those. Sam Howell is the first player in UNC history with 350 passing yards and 100 rushing yards in a game. Howell finished with 352 yards and 3 TDs through the air and 104 yards and 2 TDs on the ground. To be honest I am not upset about Howell having a bigger role in the running game.
I know you don't want your quarterback taking too many hits but if Howell is willing I say go for it. If defenses have to respect his ability to run it will open up lanes for our running backs and our passing game. If they chose to ignore Howell’s ability to run he will just continue to rack up yards. Howell is our best running option so far even though if you look at Chandler and company’s yard per carry average, it isn’t terrible. You do what you have to do to win and this team doesn't have the explosive weapons it had last year.
The top three receivers were as follows: Green 3 receptions for 117 yards 1 TD, Simmons 3 receptions for 73 yards 1 TD and Downs with 8 receptions for 73 yards and a TD. The deep ball looked good and Howell and his wide receivers definitely seemed more in sync. Howell once again showed why he is considered to have the best deep ball in the country. He basically dropped it into Greene’s hands with a defender draped all over him. Simmons and Greene needed to step and they did. You feel a little better about the receivers after this game. Someone who had a “quiet” yet break out game was back up TE #88 Morales. He had 4 receptions for 42 yards. Clearly more of a threat in the passing game than Walston. If Morales continues to have games like this then he will solidify a role for himself within the offense. You may start seeing situational usage when it comes to the TEs. Walston is a better blocker and is more of an asset in the run game or when he is needed to pass protect. Morales is a better receiver and can be utilized more as a receiver.
Khafre Brown had an impressive TD catch incorrectly called incomplete, even after review. He clearly had one foot inbounds. The refs seem reluctant so far this year to reverse reviewed calls. The play resulted in a pass interference, but Brown’s catch with a defender draped all over him is a promising sign. I would expect him to get the ball more going forward. Brown is being worked back in slowly after an injury in camp. Expect Brown to see the field more each game.
Our running game still needs some work as once again Howell was our leading rusher. Chandler finished with 15 carries for 58 yards for an average of 3.9 yards. Behind him we really don't have a true 2nd running back. DJ Jones was out for this game, and he is my choice as RB2. Mack elected to go with British Brooks as the primary second back as he chose experience over skill. I have no doubt Hood is going to be great, and I believe everything the coaching staff has been saying about him, but I just don’t see it yet. Hood isn’t identifying the holes quick enough. For now, I rather have experienced backs out there. Howell being a threat in the run game is a plus. If he becomes a legit option in the RPO game then that makes our offense a little less predictable. This also helps Howell’s draft status with emphasis being put on a mobile QB in the modern day NFL. And Again if we don’t have a good year then Howell doesn’t even get invited to New York.
The defense lost Hollins for the season with a lower body injury, but Storm Duck may be ready for UVA. UNC moves up to #21 in the rankings as they face UVA on Saturday.
The ACC went 11-3 this week. And even though this record looks a lot better than last week, it was against a much easier slate of teams. Syracuse lost to Rutgers, Miami barely escaped App St, FSU lost to Jacksonville State, and NCSU got beat by Miss st. Congrats to SC State for scoring a field goal against Clemson. I’m not mad State was one of only 3 losses that the ACC suffered this week. Notre Dame also barely escaped Toledo, but I’m not counting them in the ACC record since their football program thinks they are too good for the ACC.
Games with future implications
1. Virginia beats Illinois 42-14 behind B. Armstrong’s 405 yds and 5 TDs
Armstrong was the only QB to grade out higher than Howell this week.
Leading rusher only had 10 carries for 35 yds
2. Pittsburgh goes to Tennessee and wins 41-34 behind Picketts 285, threw for 2 TDs and ran for 1
Leading rusher only had 12 carries for 43 yds
3. Miami barely escapes App State 25-23 at home, app state dropped some passes on the final possession, Miami shouldn't be ranked despite the win, dropped to 24th
4. NC State loses to Mississippi St 24-10 and really was never in the game
Leary still had 303 yds, but only 1 TD and 1 INT
LB PAYTON WILSON WILL HAVE SURGERY AND IS OUT FOR THE SEASON
No running game, leading rusher Knight with 8 carries for 31 yards
5. FSU loses at home to Jacksonville State 20-17 after giving Notre Dame all it could handle
6. It took a come from behind victory for Notre Dame to escape Toledo 32-29 at home. Notre Dame plays Purdue next week then travels to #18 Wisconsin, home against #7 Cincinnati, at #19 VTech, home against now unranked (previously #14) USC who lost to unranked Stanford this weekend, before taking on the Tar Heels in South Bend. Time will tell if Notre Dame is for real or over rated. Dropped to 12th in the rankings
And what has all this made me realize? The ACC is still wide open, and that there really are no easy games on our schedule. Play poorly and you WILL lose. We found that out against Virginia Tech in the home opener. The coastal is still up for grabs though and it is up to us whether or not we want to seize the opportunity.
Also if you need any more reason to go to Carolina than what Jeff Saturday said during the game Saturday night then I don’t know what is wrong with you. What a great moment for the program and to share with recruits. Jeff Saturday said that he sent his kid to Carolina because of the great program and because it is a great school academically. The second part of that is a little bit more of a factor with football than basketball because the players have to stay 3 years. Mack Brown then walked down the sideline and hugged Jeff Saturday and his family. And think about it, this is Jeff Saturday saying this. This is a guy that had a great NFL career, has won super bowls, and now does some commentary stuff with ESPN. It means something coming from him. Let’s not forget LT was back in Chapel Hill and Dre Bly is a part of the coaching staff. These are 3 of the best to play in the NFL at their respective positions. It was another showing that Carolina really is a family and an elite family at that.
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