UNC Tar Heels Football Team Gives Away the Game in the Last Minute
by Derrick Clyburn
The Tar Heels football team fumbled the ball twice leading to two touchdowns by Va. Tech. Which turned out to be the difference in the game. North Carolina played well enough to win the game, but the turnovers bug reared its ugly head again. UNC outgained Va. Tech in total yardage 524 to 375. Coach Fedora has to find a way to help the team with securing the ball. The Tar Heels are now 1-4 and 1-2 in the ACC. Time is running out for them to turn this ship around. Fedora switched up things by starting true freshman Cade Fortin at quarterback. Fortin from my observation has the best arm of the quarterbacks North Carolina has used to run their offense. He threw the ball with accuracy and zip. Cade began gaining confidence running the offense and moved the ball efficiently. Unfortunately, Fortin got hurt right before halftime so Nathan Elliott had to replace him for the rest of the game.
Game Stats
UNC Total Offense – 524 Yards
Rushing 235, Passing 289
UNC Passing: Nathan Elliott 10-14-149yds 1 TD, Cade Fortin 10-18-97yds
UNC Rushing: Michael Carter 18-165yds, Cade Fortin 6-44yds
UNC Receiving: Carl Tucker 2-123yds, Anthony Ratliff-Williams 3-19yds 1 TD
VT Total Offense – 375 Yards
VT Passing: Ryan Willis 20-36-221yds 2 TDs 2 Int’s
VT Rushing: Ryan Willis 15-88yds 1 TD
VT Receiving: Sean Savoy 6-58yds 1 TD
Bright Spots
The defense played well enough to win the game.
True freshman Cade Fortin passed for 97 yards and ran for 44 yards in the first half before he was injured.
Michael Carter rushed for 165 yards on 18 carries but fumbled the ball at the one-yard line that would have sealed the game.
Needs Work
The Tar Heels need to play mistake-free football on both sides of the ball. Fedora has to instil discipline. The players have to play smarter and pay attention to details.
Final Observations
UNC has the talent outside of a quality experienced quarterback. (When all the players are eligible) They have to play to their strengths on offense which is the running game and using play action to set up the long ball. Ball security is key to the Tar Heels having a chance to salvage this season.