UNC Tar Heels Football Team Comes Up Short Again
by Derrick Clyburn
North Carolina’s Michael Carter (8) evades a tackle by Appalachian State’s Brendan Harrington (29) as he runs the opening kickoff for a big gain during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
This North Carolina Tar Heels football team has been like an exciting rollercoaster. There have been many highs and lows to start the season. UNC has had to depend on a true freshman at quarterback, a new coaching staff trying to learn their players, and a group of players trying to learn how to play consistently and win games.
The Tar Heels are now 2-2 on the season and still trying to find their identity. Playing with Sam Howell the true freshman quarterback they will have to take the good plays with the bad plays. Howell is a great talent but has to learn how to get rid of the ball quicker and limit his turnovers. He had two interceptions and one fumble that led to 14 points for App St.
We know that this was a big game for App St. but it was really how inconsistent North Carolina was on both sides of the ball that made the difference in the game. The slow starts have plagued the Tar Heels in all four games. Mack Brown and staff are going to have to find a way to put several successful drives together so they don’t have to play from behind.
UNC Game Stats
UNC Total Offense – 469 Yards
Rushing 323 Passing 146
UNC Passing: Sam Howell 27-41-323yds 3TD’s and 2 Int’s
UNC Rushing: Javonte Williams 16-94yds
UNC Receiving: Beau Corrales 6-84yds, Dazz Newsome 6-88yds 1TD, Carl Tucker 3-34yds 1TD
App Total Offense – 385 Yards
App Passing: Zac Thomas 20-29-224yds 1 Int
App Rushing: Darrynton Evans 19-78yds, 3TD’s,
App Receiving: Thomas Hennigan 6-90yds
UNC Bright Spots
Sam Howell threw for 323 yards and 3 touchdowns to rally the Tar Heels to within a field goal in the fourth quarter.
Needs Work
Sam Howell needs to learn to throw the ball away when nothing is available instead of taking the sack or fumbling the ball.
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 offense and defense have lapses in the middle of the game that allow their opponents to go up by two or more scores.
Final Observations
UNC is 2-2 and has Clemson coming up next. They have no time to feel sorry for themselves or Clemson will hang 60 points on them. North Carolina will have to man up and play error-free ball.
The injuries to both the offensive and defensive lines have caused a lot of the inconsistencies whether it be pass protection or pass rush. The younger players are going to have to grow up fast to help the Tar Heels right this ship.