UNC Tar Heels Football Team Gets Home Cooking and Win Their First Game of the Season
by Derrick Clyburn
The Tar Heels football team are 1-0 in the ACC and just won there first game of the season as well. North Carolina needed this win after an awful start to the season. They will take a win any way they can get it right now. The UNC defense still gave up 402 yards and 35 points to Pittsburgh, but they made adjustments in the second half that allowed them to hang on to the victory. The Tar Heel offense finally was clicking on all cylinders putting up 38 points. UNC quarterback Nathan Elliott spread the ball around to nine different receivers and had a career-high 313 yards passing. Antonio Williams was a stud in the backfield running for 114 yards and two touchdowns.
Game Stats
UNC Total Offense – 486 Yards
Rushing 173, Passing 313
UNC Passing: Nathan Elliott 22-31-313yds 2 TDs
UNC Rushing: Antonio Williams 16-114yds 2 TDs, Jordon Brown 8-29yds 1 TD
UNC Receiving: Dazz Newsome 6-110yds, Anthony Ratliff-Williams 4-84 yds, Michael Carter 4-36yds 1 TD
Pitt Total Offense – 402 Yards
Pitt Passing: Kenny Pickett 19-33-174yds 2 TDs
Pitt Rushing: Darrin Hall 6-84yds 1 TD, Qadree Ollison 12-72yds 1TD
Pitt Receiving: Maurice Ffrench 7-65yds 1 TD
Bright Spots
Antonio Williams had 16 rushes for 114yds and two touchdowns.
Nathan Elliott had a career-high 313 yards on 22 of 31 passing.
Dazz Newsome made some great move after the catch for an awesome day catching 6 balls for 110 yards.
Needs Work
The defense gave up 28 points in the first half. The linebackers and safeties were out of their gaps on running plays that allowed Pitt to rush for over 170 yards in the first half. The defensive backs need to turn their heads to make plays on the ball.
Final Observations
UNC vindicated themselves from the first two weeks of the season with a win against a tough Pitt team to open the ACC season at 1-0. Papuchis must shore up the defense helping them get off to a faster start. They must focus on their run fits in the gaps. Overall, UNC will take this win build from it. They have a short week to recover. Now the focus is on Miami this Thursday night.