Is a Quarterback controversy brewing for the North Carolina Tarheels? Marquise Williams and Mitch Trubisky are tasked to run the same system at North Carolina. Williams and Trubisky are very different Quarterbacks.
Williams is the better and more powerful runner of the two and has been the starter since Bryn Renner got hurt midway through the NC State game in 2013. Williams led North Carolina in passing and rushing in 2014. Williams decision making has been in question this season. He threw three interceptions against South Carolina in their opening loss and threw another pick against Illinois. He was trying to force something that wasn't there. Williams questionable decision making got him pulled from the game against Delaware.
Trubisky is the better passer but he still has the ability to run but he is not going to be able to break off the long run like Williams can. Against Delaware, Trubisky brought the explosive pass play that has been missing thus far this season back to North Carolina's offense.
Coach Larry Fedora claims that Williams is still the starting Quarterback but from a fan's point of view, it seems that Fedora is more run heavy with Williams in the game. Fedora seems to have lost confidence in William's ability to make good decisions when passing the ball. The ability to throw the ball deep has always been a key element in any Fedora coached offense. It will be interesting to see how long he stays with Williams against Georgia Tech if he struggles again. Luckily he has Trubisky waiting in the wings.
Sunday, September 27, 2015
Saturday, September 26, 2015
The Relief Quarterback
The North Carolina Tarheels were only leading Delaware 10-7 when Quarterback Marquise Williams helmet was knocked off and he had to come out of the game for at least one play. Marquise Williams never went back in the game as backup Mitch Trubisky took over and had the game of his young collegiate career. Trubisky finished 17-20 for 312 yards and four touchdowns and he rushed for 39 yards.
An offense that wasn't running on all cylinders with Williams in the game switched over to nitrous oxide with Trubisky steering the offense. Coach Larry Fedora explained the switch at Quarterback by saying "I wasn't happy with the way we were executing" and "Mitch ran the offense and did a good job." It has not been uncommon for the past couple of seasons for Fedora to put Trubisky in for a series in the first half of games over the past couple of seasons but this was the most extended playing time Trubisky has received in a game.
An offense that wasn't running on all cylinders with Williams in the game switched over to nitrous oxide with Trubisky steering the offense. Coach Larry Fedora explained the switch at Quarterback by saying "I wasn't happy with the way we were executing" and "Mitch ran the offense and did a good job." It has not been uncommon for the past couple of seasons for Fedora to put Trubisky in for a series in the first half of games over the past couple of seasons but this was the most extended playing time Trubisky has received in a game.
Sunday, September 20, 2015
Records Were Broken
It was a record breaking day for a couple of the Tarheels yesterday against Big 10 opponent Illinois in the Tarheels 48-14 win. Wide Receiver Quinshad Davis caught his 22nd career touchdown pass, breaking a tie with Hakeem Nicks, and Punt Returner Ryan Switzer had 168 punt return yards to break the Tarheel record for one game held by Bud Carson. That record had stood since 1951. Switzer had a 71 yard punt return and he closed out the scoring with an 85 yard return in the fourth quarter.
With the exception of an interception by Quarterback Marquise Williams, the Tarheels played a great game. The most notable improvements are in their defense and their special teams. The defense was flying all over the field and Donnie Miles, Jr., and Shakeel Rashad had some wicked hits on Illinois wide receivers and running backs. I am impressed with Rashad's ability to diagnose plays. He sniffed out a wide receiver screen and crushed the wide receiver for about a five yard loss. Miles was in the backfield on running back sweeps before the running back could start making his move. Gene Chizik has made a big difference with his scheme and you can tell the coaching staff and players have been watching some film.
Marquise Williams and Elijah Hood both had over one hundred yards rushing and Williams had over 200 yards passing and two touchdowns. North Carolina seems more focused on running the ball this year and Hood has had over one hundred yards rushing in two games already. After the first game against South Carolina, the Tarheels game plan has been more balanced.
Nick Weiler hit another 48 yard field goal and is five for five this season with a pair of 48 yarders. Fedora is confident enough in the kicking game to send Weiler out there this year in any kicking situation. You can tell that Weiler put in the work this past off season.
With the exception of an interception by Quarterback Marquise Williams, the Tarheels played a great game. The most notable improvements are in their defense and their special teams. The defense was flying all over the field and Donnie Miles, Jr., and Shakeel Rashad had some wicked hits on Illinois wide receivers and running backs. I am impressed with Rashad's ability to diagnose plays. He sniffed out a wide receiver screen and crushed the wide receiver for about a five yard loss. Miles was in the backfield on running back sweeps before the running back could start making his move. Gene Chizik has made a big difference with his scheme and you can tell the coaching staff and players have been watching some film.
Marquise Williams and Elijah Hood both had over one hundred yards rushing and Williams had over 200 yards passing and two touchdowns. North Carolina seems more focused on running the ball this year and Hood has had over one hundred yards rushing in two games already. After the first game against South Carolina, the Tarheels game plan has been more balanced.
Nick Weiler hit another 48 yard field goal and is five for five this season with a pair of 48 yarders. Fedora is confident enough in the kicking game to send Weiler out there this year in any kicking situation. You can tell that Weiler put in the work this past off season.
Monday, September 14, 2015
A Win Is A Win
I watched the North Carolina-North Carolina A & T game on ESPN3 on my laptop at my desk. That was an enjoyable experience and a great way to watch a football game. North Carolina needed a bounce back win after the disappointment against South Carolina and North Carolina A & T was a good opponent. A & T had some speed and although they are an FCS team, they were coming off a 9-3 record and picked to win their league again this year. They were overmatched against North Carolina and although North Carolina won 53-14, they still have work to do.
The Tarheel fans and the media had wanted more of Running Back Elijah Hood and that is what Coach Larry Fedora gave them. Hood was coming off a breakout game against South Carolina but he only had 56 yards rushing against A & T. The Tarheels had 224 yards rushing as a team but the three longest runs were made by the Quarterbacks- 19 yards by Marquise Williams, 35 yards by Mitch Trubisky, and 18 yards by Caleb Henderson. The Tarheels also went six deep in their Running Backs so most everyone got a few carries.
Marquise Williams had a "bounce back" game against A & T. He was 15 for 20 for over 200 yards with two touchdowns and ran for another one. He made some nice touch throws, one down the sideline to Tight End Kendrick Singleton that he hit in stride down the right sideline for a touchdown.
The defense showed the kind of improvement I was looking for. They were quick to the ball but the only thing that concerns me is the lack of pressure they are putting on the Quarterback with their front four. Defensive coordinator Gen Chizik has really not unveiled a lot of blitz packages and I am hoping he can dial something up. Linebacker Shakeel Rashad did a great job of reading plays, had one interception and should have had another one. Sam Smiley had a fumble return that he almost took back all of the way and M.J. Stewart also had an interception.
The 'Heels receiving corps had a good game and they unveiled a new red zone weapon in backup Tight End Brandon Fritts. His first two collegiate catches were for touchdowns, one of those from his former high school Quarterback Mitch Trubisky.
The Tarheel fans and the media had wanted more of Running Back Elijah Hood and that is what Coach Larry Fedora gave them. Hood was coming off a breakout game against South Carolina but he only had 56 yards rushing against A & T. The Tarheels had 224 yards rushing as a team but the three longest runs were made by the Quarterbacks- 19 yards by Marquise Williams, 35 yards by Mitch Trubisky, and 18 yards by Caleb Henderson. The Tarheels also went six deep in their Running Backs so most everyone got a few carries.
Marquise Williams had a "bounce back" game against A & T. He was 15 for 20 for over 200 yards with two touchdowns and ran for another one. He made some nice touch throws, one down the sideline to Tight End Kendrick Singleton that he hit in stride down the right sideline for a touchdown.
The defense showed the kind of improvement I was looking for. They were quick to the ball but the only thing that concerns me is the lack of pressure they are putting on the Quarterback with their front four. Defensive coordinator Gen Chizik has really not unveiled a lot of blitz packages and I am hoping he can dial something up. Linebacker Shakeel Rashad did a great job of reading plays, had one interception and should have had another one. Sam Smiley had a fumble return that he almost took back all of the way and M.J. Stewart also had an interception.
The 'Heels receiving corps had a good game and they unveiled a new red zone weapon in backup Tight End Brandon Fritts. His first two collegiate catches were for touchdowns, one of those from his former high school Quarterback Mitch Trubisky.
Saturday, September 12, 2015
A Trap Game
As a North Carolina Tarheels fan, I hate to place to much emphasis on a game against North Carolina A & T but this is an important game for North Carolina. It is a game that the Tarheels could possibly lose. A & T has talent and speed at the skill positions and is coming off a 9-3 season and a 61-0 loss over Shaw University. It is a game North Carolina should win but North Carolina has struggled with games they should win over the past couple of seasons. A & T's coach Rod Broadway is a former Tarheels player in the 1970's and a former assistant for the Tarheels. North Carolina A & T would love nothing more than to come intChapel Hill and go back to Greensboro with a win.
Quarterback Marquise Williams confidence was shaken against South Carolina with the three interceptions and that was carried over from the last two games last season. If Williams struggles early, I look for Fedora to give backup Mitch Trubisky some meaningful playing time. I look for the Tarheels to establish the running game behind Elijah Hood and the offense needs to develop some consistency and the defense needs to continue to show improvement. I would like the defense to be able to get some pressure on the Quarterback with their front four and to take advantage of a young A & T offensive line.
Quarterback Marquise Williams confidence was shaken against South Carolina with the three interceptions and that was carried over from the last two games last season. If Williams struggles early, I look for Fedora to give backup Mitch Trubisky some meaningful playing time. I look for the Tarheels to establish the running game behind Elijah Hood and the offense needs to develop some consistency and the defense needs to continue to show improvement. I would like the defense to be able to get some pressure on the Quarterback with their front four and to take advantage of a young A & T offensive line.
It Is Time
This season marks Head Coach Larry Fedora's fourth season in Chapel Hill. This is the season that he has to show that the North Carolina Tarheels are headed in the right direction. He took a major step in the off season by hiring Gene Chizik as his defensive coordinator. Chizik Immediately switched the Tarheels defense to a more traditional 4-3 and the "bend but break like a twig" 4-2-5 of Vic Koenning is gone.
The biggest questions the Tarheel football team faced coming in to this season was their defense and special teams. Both performed well enough to win the opener against South Carolina. The defense gave up 394 yards, 254 yards of those were rushing yards, but only 17 points. That point total already best last season's lowest points allowed of 20 against Duke. The Tarheels were facing a South Carolina Quarterback that had only thrown two collegiate passes coming into the game.
The kicking game for the Tarheels was among the weakest in college football last season. The Tarheel kickers did not have a field goal longer than 29 yards last season. Nick Weiler had two field goals (47,30) longer than that in the first game. This was another critical improvement for the Tarheels.
What was not expected to be a problem for the Tarheels was the offense. Their high scoring offense was expected to be even better this season. They have weapons at all of the key positions- Quarterback, Wide Receiver, and a stable of Running Backs that run four deep. The veteran offensive line had several penalties and outside of his touchdown pass to Bug Howard, Starting Quarterback Marquise Williams could never seem to get untracked. He threw three interceptions against South Carolina, two of those in the end zone. Running Back Elijah Hood had 13 carries for 138 yards but was conspicuously absent at key moments in the game.
Coach Fedora's play calling, the fact that he stuck with Williams for the entire game, and the fact that he did not use Hood more was all called in to question after the game. The bottom line is that the Tarheels need to win the games they have a chance to win and they should have won the South Carolina game. The team showed critical improvement in two of the three phases of the game, but the team's strength, their offense, let them down.
The biggest questions the Tarheel football team faced coming in to this season was their defense and special teams. Both performed well enough to win the opener against South Carolina. The defense gave up 394 yards, 254 yards of those were rushing yards, but only 17 points. That point total already best last season's lowest points allowed of 20 against Duke. The Tarheels were facing a South Carolina Quarterback that had only thrown two collegiate passes coming into the game.
The kicking game for the Tarheels was among the weakest in college football last season. The Tarheel kickers did not have a field goal longer than 29 yards last season. Nick Weiler had two field goals (47,30) longer than that in the first game. This was another critical improvement for the Tarheels.
What was not expected to be a problem for the Tarheels was the offense. Their high scoring offense was expected to be even better this season. They have weapons at all of the key positions- Quarterback, Wide Receiver, and a stable of Running Backs that run four deep. The veteran offensive line had several penalties and outside of his touchdown pass to Bug Howard, Starting Quarterback Marquise Williams could never seem to get untracked. He threw three interceptions against South Carolina, two of those in the end zone. Running Back Elijah Hood had 13 carries for 138 yards but was conspicuously absent at key moments in the game.
Coach Fedora's play calling, the fact that he stuck with Williams for the entire game, and the fact that he did not use Hood more was all called in to question after the game. The bottom line is that the Tarheels need to win the games they have a chance to win and they should have won the South Carolina game. The team showed critical improvement in two of the three phases of the game, but the team's strength, their offense, let them down.
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