Versus Elon

62-0. That was a stats stuffing game worthy of the video game NCAA Football 13 if there ever was one. The first half of the game was the Gio Bernard show. He had a 59 yard TD run, a 6 yard TD catch, and a 70 yard punt return for a TD. The 'Heels led 41-0 at halftime and it was just the kind of start the 'Heels needed. They removed their starters before the Third Quarter was half over. Before the game started I had visions of footballs filling the air, passing on every down, and the game turning into fast break football. The television broadcast timed the Tarheels were snapping the ball 16 seconds after it was marked down by the officials. In an interview at the end of the first half, Larry Fedora made the comment that he didn't feel they were moving fast enough. The game was already out of hand so Larry Fedora had to dial it down in the second half when the reserves were put into the game. There were some impressive numbers that came out of this game. 14 different receivers caught passes for North Carolina. They set an ACC record for punt return yardage with 260 as Gio Bernard, Roy Smith, and Erik Highsmith all returned punts. There were too many good plays to mention all of them. Freshman Quinshad Davis made an ESPN play of the day worthy acrobatic catch for his first college reception. Defensive back Tim Scott jumped a wide receiver screen and made the interception. Defensive Lineman Sylvester Williams had two sacks. Defensive back Jabari Price led the team in tackles and had an interception. Offensive Lineman Jonathan Cooper made great blocks throughout the game. Quarterback Bryn Renner had 3 TD passes. A lot of players got valuable game time. The only disappointment I had with the game was the empty seats especially at the end of the game. I think everyone bailed at halftime and I have to admit it was over after the first quarter, but I always try to stay to the end of whatever game I go to. That is what being a fan is all about.

The Spring Football Game-Offense

A new Quarterback is set to take the reigns for the Tarheels for the first time in 4 years with the graduation of T.J. Yates and it looks to be red-shirt Sophomore Bryn Renner's job to lose. He looked great in last years spring game and I thought he outplayed T.J. Yates. He had another solid spring game this year. Spring games really aren't worth much as far as evaluating talent goes or a good predictor of regular season success.

All of the QB's on the roster are untested with like a total of 6 or 7 career passes attempted so finding a backup is going to be just as important. Braden Hanson, A.J. Blue, and all-everything Freshman Marquise Williams are the candidates and my guess is they will red-shirt Williams. Williams did have a nice 43 yard run on a scramble in the spring game. Blue has the versatility to play running back and operated out of the wildcat formation in his brief playing experience a couple of years ago.

The running game is going to need some of the young players to step up, especially in light of the fact that incumbent starter Ryan Houston broke his clavicle during the game. He had surgery on it today. Red-shirt Freshman Giovanni Bernard was held out of the game for precautionary reasons. The others listed on the depth chart are rarely used Junior Hunter Furr (although he did have some important carries in the Florida State victory last year) and true Freshman Travis Riley who enrolled in January. Fullback is being held down by returning Senior Devon Ramsay.

The offensive line is supposed to be one of the strengths of the team. They average over 300 pounds across the front with quite a bit of experience returning. Several red-shirt Freshmen and walk-ons are listed on the depth chart but some impressive recruits such as Kiaro Holts are coming in to back them up in the fall.

One of the other other positions that brings alot of experience is Wide Receiver. Dwight Jones, Erik Highsmith, and Jheranie Boyd are poised to have solid years. Jhay Boyd is the "X Factor" here. He virtually disappeared after the LSU game last year and the emergence of Dwight Jones. Red-Shirt Freshmen Reggie Wilkins and Sean Tapley have a chance to step up.

Junior transfer Nelson Hurst is the only returning Tight End with a minimal amount of playing time until the Freshmen Eric Ebron and Jack Tabb arrive on the scene. Hurst is backed up by red-shirt Freshman Sean Fitzpatrick. The H-Back position is being manned by Senior Christian Wilson.

I believe the 'Heels will be more of a running team this upcoming season and rely less on the passing game because the offensive line is built to run block. That is where the horses are and Ryan Houston is a big, strong back and if the surgery is successful, he is geared to be the 'Heels first thousand yard rusher since Jonathan Linton in 1997.