UNC Tar Heels Football Team Implodes Again

by Derrick Clyburn

The Tar Heels football team plays so hard but can’t get out of its own way. How many misfortunes can UNC take? They’ve lost two freshmen quarterbacks in three weeks. Cade Fortin was injured against Va. Tech and now Jace Ruder today against Ga. Tech. Both young men seem to have better skills than Nathan Elliott. Who threw three interceptions. Two in the final 2 series to cost North Carolina the game. The defense caused three fumbles and got key stops to give the Tar Heels a chance, but they blew the opportunities with turnovers or bad play calling. This was another gut-wrenching loss.

Game Stats

UNC Total Offense – 374 Yards

Rushing 166, Passing 208

UNC Passing: Nathan Elliott 14-26-128yds 3 Int’s, Jace Ruder 4-5-80yds 1TD

UNC Rushing: Michael Carter 10-68yds, Antonio Williams 13-33yds 1TD

UNC Receiving: Anthony Ratliff-Williams 4-103yds, Carl Tucker 2-17yds 1 TD

GT Total Offense – 565 Yards

GT Passing: Tobias Oliver 2-2-104yds 1 TD

GT Rushing: Tobias Oliver 28-120yds 2 TDs, Nathan Cottrell 9-90yds 1TD

GT Receiving: Qua Searcy 1-86yds 1 TD

Bright Spots

Jace Ruder had  80 on 4 of 5 passing and 1TD.

Carl Tucker had 2 catches for 17 yards and 1 TD.

Malik Carney had 1 fumble for a touchdown and the defense caused three fumbles overall.

Needs Work

The Tar Heels need to play mistake-free football on both sides of the ball. Fedora and the coaching staff have to help this team finish games. Both the offense and defense need to get off to faster starts. The coordinators need to be more aggressive with their play calling.

Final Observations

It’s been the same episode replayed over and over again. Fedora and the coaching staff have to help this team win ball games. You can’t run a trick play to Ratliff-Williams on the one-yard line. Ever smart defense knows that he’s going to run the football in the Wildcat scheme. North Carolina had to settle for a field goal rather than a touchdown. The play calling has been suspect all season. This has mathematically taken the Tar Heels out of a possible bowl bid. They would have had to run the table to be in a bowl bid position anyway. Time is running out for Fedora and this coaching staff.