UNC Tar Heels Football Team Falters to Florida St. Again
by Derrick Isaiah Clyburn
After last week’s win against Duke, the North Carolina football team came out and had a disappointing showing against Florida State on Saturday afternoon. After scoring a field goal and a touchdown on their first two drives, UNC’s offense went scoreless for the rest of the first half with some costly drops that would’ve been big plays and some questionable play-calling that put the Tar Heels behind the sticks.
In the second quarter, Florida State scored 21 unanswered points as the Heels had no answer for Florida State’s mobile quarterback. The Seminoles would lead 21-10 going into halftime and would take over the game moving forward. The offense did score on their opening drive of the second half cutting the lead to four.
However, the defense continued to struggle to defend Florida State QB Jordan Taylor in the passing and running game, which resulted in long successful scoring drives for the Florida State Seminoles. Furthermore, the Heels were unable to get back in the game and Florida State would go on to secure a 35-25 victory.
UNC Game Stats
UNC Total Offense- 432 yards
UNC Passing: Sam Howell 17-32-203 yds 2TDS 1 INT
UNC Rushing: Ty Chandler 14-61 yds 1TD, Sam Howell 11-108 yards, D.J. Jones 11-60 yds
UNC Receiving: Josh Downs 9-121 yards 1 TD, Kamari Morales 1-21 yards 1TD, Bryson Nesbit 1-28 yards
Florida State Total Offense– 383 yards
Florida State Passing: Jordan Travis 11-13-145 yds 3TDS
Florida State Rushing: Jordan Travis 14-121 yards 2TDS, Treshaun Ward 12-77 yards, Jashaun Corbin 13-52 yards
Florida State Receiving: Keyshawn Hilton 3-71 yards, Ontaria Wilson 2-38 yards 2TDS
UNC Bright Spots
Sam Howell threw for 203 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also had 108 yards rushing.
Josh Downs had 9 receptions for 121 yards and 1 touchdown.
Needs Work
Defensive Coordinator Jay Bateman needs to do a better job of having his players prepared to play. The players look completely unorganized and out of position out on the field.
The defense needs to get better at tackling in space and finishing the play when they are in a position to sack the quarterback. Bateman needs to learn how to defend running quarterbacks. The play calling was too passive and they allowed Florida State’s quarterback to do whatever he wanted whether running or passing the ball. He has struggled mightily for the last 3 years devising a plan as the Defensive Coordinator.
The offensive coordinator Phil Longo’s play-calling needs to be better overall. He needs to call more quick-hitting plays to get the ball out of Sam Howell’s hands. Howell tends to hold the ball too long and takes unnecessary hits and sacks so he needs to be put in a better position to succeed. In addition, another receiver other than Josh Downs needs to step up to give Sam Howell a quality option to throw to consistently.
Final Observations
This loss has to be one of the more disappointing and embarrassing losses of the last few years for this football program. It was not a step in the right direction at all. Florida State came into this game one of the worst teams in the ACC and the Tar Heels came out unprepared to play and with a lack of urgency or energy needed to win a game they had no business losing.
Everyone needs to be held accountable for this loss including all the coaches and players. This team has failed to meet fans’ expectations so far this season, and it has been a complete disappointment.
The offense struggles outside of Sam Howell running the ball or him throwing to Josh Downs, and the defense struggles against mobile quarterbacks and against the run. The Carolina coaches must find a way to reach these players and put them out there on the field to succeed.
Everyone needs to look in the mirror and find out what needs to be done to get them back on track this season. It is unacceptable for them to be playing the way they have with all talent they have at their disposal on both sides of the ball. Next up is Miami at home next Saturday.