UNC Tar Heels Football Team Comes Up Short

by Derrick Isaiah Clyburn

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On Friday night, the UNC football team looked to get their 3^rd win of the season against Wake Forest. The Tar Heels did not look ready to play to start the game and came out with little energy and intensity. North Carolina struggled to find any rhythm running or throwing the ball on offense as they did not score in the first half. They even put in backup quarterback Jace Ruder to see if he could provide the spark they needed.

The defense did all they could to keep them in the game but still allowed 21 points to Wake Forest in the first half. Late in the third quarter, UNC finally got on the board with a field goal.

In the fourth quarter, UNC attempted another comeback scoring two touchdowns and a two-point conversation bringing the score to 21-18. The defense was able to hold Wake Forest to just a field goal on the next drive and for the entire second half. The Tar Heels got the ball back with about a minute left with a chance to take the lead but was unable to complete the comeback.

UNC Game Stats

UNC Total Offense – 333 Yards

Rushing 144 Passing 189

UNC Passing: Sam Howell 17-28-182yds 2TD’s

UNC Rushing: Michael Carter 13-96yds, Javonte Williams 9-27yds

UNC Receiving:  Dyami Brown 3-84yds 1 TD, Dazz Newsome 7-62yds, Michael Carter 2-22yds 1TD

WF Total Offense – 436 Yards

WF Passing:  Jamie Newman 14-26-214yds 2TD’s 1 Int

WF Rushing:  Kenneth Walker III 13-94yds, Jamie Newman 19-78yds 2TD’s, Christian Beal-Smith 15-51yds

WF Receiving: Sage Surratt 9-169yds 1TD

UNC Bright Spots

Sam Howell threw for 106 yards and two touchdowns to rally the Tar Heels to within a field goal in the fourth quarter.

The defense held Wake Forest to just a field goal in the second half.

Myles Dorn had a key interception in the third quarter.

Needs Work

Sam Howell needs to learn to throw the ball away when nothing is available instead of taking the sack.

The offensive play-calling needs to be more aggressive at the beginning of games.

The offensive line needs to be more disciplined and cut down on penalties.

The defense needs to do a better job of getting pressure on the quarterback.

The defense was on the field entirely too long in the first half of the game. Bateman didn’t have a good game plan for Wake’s zone read-option offense. They were too passive on defense trying to read and react rather than being in more of an attack mode. That really hurt the Tar Heels.

The offense needs to do a better job of converting on third downs as they were just 2-16 for the game.

Final Observations

The UNC football team is now 2-1, which is a good start to the season. However, they can not get down every game and then try to make a miraculous comeback to win at the end of the game. North Carolina is a young team, so they need to come out with the same intensity and energy that they seem to display in the fourth quarter of games.

In addition, the Tar Heels have suffered injuries to key players on the team and need to get them back on the field so that they can realize what the full potential of this team really can be.

There was really one second left on the clock! But the officials ran off the field without a review. I would have loved for Michael Carter to get out of bounds quicker though. Who knows if Sam Howell could have thrown a success Hail Mary pass to win in the final possession.