The First Win of the Season for this Young Football Team

by Derrick Clyburn

This football game was sorely needed for the Tar Heels confidence heading to play Duke next week. As the old adage goes, “a win is a win”. Carolina has more talent than ODU, so this game was supposed to be a tune-up for the rest of the ACC season. The offense was balanced in the rushing and passing game. The moved the football at will in the first half, then coasted in the second half.

The offense was balanced in the rushing and passing game. They moved the football at will in the first half, then coasted in the second half. The defense was respectable except for two catastrophic plays. Also, the special teams gave up a touchdown.

Game Stats

UNC Total Offense – 511 Yards

Rushing 254 yards, Passing 257 yards

UNC Passing: Chazz Surratt 16-24-257yds 1 TD

UNC Receiving: Austin Proehl 3-48yds 1TD, Carl Tucker 3-79yds, Jordan Cunningham 4-77yds

UNC Rushing: Jordan Brown 17-125yds 2TD’s, Michael Carter 13-67yds 2 TDs, Chaz Surratt 9-5 2TD’s

ODU Total Offense – 316 Yards

ODU Passing: Steve Williams 9-20-139yds 2 TD’s

ODU Rushing: Jeremy Cox 14-39yds

ODU Receiving: Travis Fulgham 6-102yds 1TD

Bright Spots

Chazz Surratt was efficient with 16-24-257yds 1 TD and rushing for 2 TD’s.

Jordan Brown had a career-high 125yds on 17 carries and 2 TD’s.

Michael Carter had a solid day with rushing 13-67yds 2 TDs.

The offensive line blocked well to help create running lanes for the running backs.

Needs Work

The defense still allows too many big plays. The safeties still miss too many assignments. They have to do a better job getting deep in their drops before biting on routes and peaking in on the quarterback.

Final Observations

The defense did play better, although against weaker competition. The defense needs to clean up the catastrophic plays period.

The offense seems to be a more power running team this season. The young running backs are doing a great job making yards after contact. I like the balanced attack that this offense presents. Hopefully, this game gives them momentum to build on for the rest of the season.