UNC Tar Heels Football Team Makes Dramatic Comeback
by Derrick Clyburn
North Carolina’s Sam Howell (7) looks to pass against Miami during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
The Tar Heels football team fought through adversity again with injuries to problems stopping the run and play-action passes. But they found a way to pull off a 28-25 win against the Miami Hurricanes. This North Carolina squad has embraced finishing games in the 4th quarter.
Sam Howell has become the Comeback Kid already in his first two games as a true freshman. He has so much poise and courage under fire. How many quarterbacks make that throw 4th and 13 with two minutes remaining with no time outs left. Howell has the Dog in him!
The offense and defense made enough plays to seal the victory for such a young team. Mack Brown has North Carolina sizzling hot with a 2-0 start.
Game Stats
UNC Total Offense – 389Yards
Rushing 97 Passing 292
UNC Passing: Sam Howell 16-24-274yds 2TD’s
UNC Rushing: Javonte Williams 10-76yds 1TD, Michael Carter 11-30yds
UNC Receiving: Dyami Brown 4-80yds 1 TD, Dazz Newsome 2-46yds 1TD, Beau Corrales 3-33yds
MIA Total Offense – 488 Yards
MIA Passing: Jarren Williams 30-39-309yds 2 TDs
MIA Rushing: DeeJay Dallas 14-107yds, Cam’Ron Harris 10-60yds 1TD
MIA Receiving: K.J. Osborn 7-76yds 1TD
Bright Spots
Sam Howell threw for 274 yards and 2 TDs. He had a heroic 4th quarter drive to win the game hitting Dazz Newsome in the corner of the end zone to put UNC up for good.
Javonte Williams had some hard tough running leading the ground game with 76 yards on 18 carries and 1TD.
Dyami Brown had 4 catches for 80 yards and 1TD.
Needs Work
The Tar Heels need to tackle better when rushing the passer. They allowed the Miami quarterback to escape the pocket too many times.
Final Observations
Mack Brown has the Tar Heels believing in themselves. They didn’t give up when it looked like Miami was in control of the game. UNC found a way to win. That’s a sign of a team with a bright future. The players played hard for Mack and that bodes well for the games to come.
Now that the offense is clicking, the defense has to shore up some areas, mainly the front 7 stopping the run. Depth looks to be an area of concern, more especially at the linebacker position. That puts a lot of pressure on the D Line.
True.
The linebacking corp is thin due to attrition with players leaving due to injury or suspension, etc…
Mack will make the adjustments that are needed.