A Comeback For The Ages

The North Carolina Tarheels had a historic comeback win against Georgia Tech coming back from a 21-0 deficit and grinding out a 38-31 win at Georgia Tech. Marquise Williams posted a stat line against Georgia Tech that probably has not been seen at North Carolina since the days of Charlie "Choo Choo" Justice. Williams led the team in passing, rushing, and receiving and he scored a touchdown rushing and receiving.

Larry Fedora outcoached Georgia Tech's Paul Johnson. North Carolina beat Georgia Tech at their own game, rushing for over 200 yards and playing a great defensive second half. The defense could not stop Georgia Tech in the first half until about four minutes to go in the first half. North Carolina scored two quick times to pull to within 21-14 and the momentum quickly shifted.

I applaud Fedora's onside kick early in the second half. He had the momentum and went for the throat of Georgia Tech. The defense allowed less than two yards a carry in the second half and Linebackers Cayson Collins and Jeff Schoettmer were all over the place during the pivotal defensive stops. Collins had the best game of his young career with 10 total tackles and Schoettmer, the fifth year senior, matched that total.

North Carolina proved a lot on this day. They can win a big game on the road, they can overcome adversity, and this is not the same Tarheel defense from the past several seasons. Their defense kept them in the game and their offense rose to the occasion and Coach Fedora showed no fear in going to his bag of tricks at just the right time. The Wide Receiver pass from Quinshad Davis to Marquise Williams was a beautiful call and executed to perfection and I believe that was the play that finished off Georgia Tech.

First And Last Impressions Versus Georgia Tech

The 28-20 loss to Georgia Tech was tough to take. The defense played well enough but couldn't hold down a 20-7 lead but that was primarily because the offense could not sustain any drives in the second half and the defense eventually wore down. The defense has been the big focus but they have shown improvement over the first three games. Larry Fedora's high powered offense has not lived up to its potential and the running game has been a big problem. They have been trying to use the three running backs of Romar Morris, A.J. Blue, and True Freshman Khris Francis. I believe they need to settle on one and give him as many reps as possible so they can develop some consistency and get a feel for what the Offensive line is doing. Tight End Eric Ebron had a career game against Georgia Tech with over 100 yards receiving and a highlight reel one handed catch in the end zone. He has really stepped up his game and now the rest of the receiving corps needs to do the same. There have been far too many drops in the seasons first three games to develop any consistency in the passing game. One thing that has been missing from the passing game is the screen pass thrown to the running backs. This is was where they are really missing Gio Bernard. Romar Morris and A.J. Blue only have a combined total of 72 yards receiving on 10 catches in the first three games. Coach Larry Fedora and his staff have their work cut out for them on the offensive side of the ball. On the defensive side of the ball, the play has been much better but they are still giving up 25 points a game. Big plays and interior depth have been a problem. I am still not a big fan of the 4-2-5 but hybrid Linebackers Jeff Schoettmer, Norkeithus Otis, and Darius Lipford have developed a better feel for the system and are able to react to plays rather than think about what they are doing. Norkeithus Otis leads the team with 4 1/2 tacles for loss and 3 sacks and Darius Lipford after missing a full year and then some due to injury, is not far behind with 3 tackles for loss and 2 sacks. Jeff Schoettmer leads the team with 23 tackles.

Versus East Carolina

It looks like the North Carolina Tarheels might finally be buying into Head Coach Larry Fedora's system. The 27-6 win over East Carolina yesterday was the most complete game they have played all season. The offensive tempo is improving although I am sure is not fast enough for Coach Fedora. The East Carolina defense threw a new wrinkle at QB Bryn Renner by only rushing three and dropping eight into coverage for the majority of the game. Renner took what the defense gave him and did not force the ball into coverage. He passed for over 300 yards and threw a couple of TD passes, one to Gio Bernard and a a 62 yarder to Sean Tapley. He showed some really nice touch on the ball on a first half completion down the middle to Gio Bernard for 30 yards and the TD to Sean Tapley. RB Gio Bernard made his return and only rushed for 50 yards but had over 100 yards of total offense. The 'Heels defense had their most impressive performance picking up a season high seven sacks and getting some of those from unlikely sources. Defensive Backs Jeff Schoettmer and Jabari Price and Sophomore Linebacker Norkeithus Otis all picked up sacks. Kevin Reddick, Jabari Price, and Sylvester Williams were all over the place. East Carolina QB Carden spent most of the second half running for his life. The 'Heels defense still got gashed by the run more than I would have liked and even allowed East Carolina to convert a third and thirty on a draw play from inside their own ten yard line.