Quick Bit

United States
UNC Alum, Ex-O Lineman with a different look on the state of College Football Follow me on Twitter @FootbawFrat for my sporadic thoughts throughout the day

Monday, October 5, 2015

Slept On It (2x): Winning In Atlanta

If you were in the greater Shadyside Neighborhood of Pittsburgh yesterday afternoon you would have heard stomping, screaming, wooing, and cursing. From about 3:30 to 6:45 I should have probably had the cops called on me. Apologies to the folks in my apartment building. I am certifiably insane when watching Tar Heel Football.

Yesterday's ballgame between Carolina and Georgia Tech sent the UNC fan base through every emotion known to man. Initially Carolina fans were upset, mad and pissed off. This guy especially. 
The first 23ish minutes of game play looked like a show we've watched far too often . Carolina's defense was getting out coached, out hustled and out played. On defense, the defensive line was getting mauled by the dive and the exterior defense showed a constant inability to maintain the edge or get off blocks. The offense was lifeless. Marquise Williams missed on several short passes, Carolina receivers dropped a couple first down balls, and the offensive line struggled to find cohesiveness and rhythm. Down 21-0 it looked like the same sad story for UNC in Atlanta. Then, Carolina woke up.

14 quick points to finish out the half set the tone for one of the most complete halves of Carolina Football since Larry Fedora took over. The offense and defense were EXCEPTIONAL in the second half.

On offense

  • 7 Plays, 55 yards, 2:25 - Field Goal GT 21-17
  • 11 Plays, 75 Yards, 3:54 - Touchdown GT 28-24
  • 3 and out, 7 yards, 2:21 - Punt GT 28-24
  • 1 play, 37 yards, 0:10 - Touchdown UNC 31-28
  • 5 plays, 59 yards, 1:58 - Touchdown UNC 38-28
  • 6 plays, 14 yards, 1:42 - Missed Field Goal - UNC GT
On Defense
  • 4 plays, 43 yards, 1:50 - Touchdown - GT 28-17
  • 16 plays,  74 yards, 7:45 - Turnover on Downs - GT 28-24
    • DISCLAIMER: Carolina's defense stopped GT twice on 4th down this drive. I enter exhibit A into evidence

  •  1 Play, -7 yards, 0:10, - Fumble (Lost) - GT 28-24
  • 8 plays, 34 yards, 4:35 - Turnover on Donws - UNC 31-28
  • 7 plays, 52 yards, 2:06 - Field Goal - UNC 38-31
  • 6 plays, 14 yards, 1:04 - INT, ballgame - UNC 38-31
That's what we call "closing out a game." The biggest comeback in school history in one of the hardest places it's been for Carolina to win. I don't think I could have scripted it any better. 

Some takeaways from the game

1. Flipped the script.
  • We've watched, read, discussed and heard about how Carolina can't win in Atlanta, about how they can't come from behind, and about how they can't make in game defensive adjustments to close out a game. The defensive adjustments were nothing earth shattering. I believe Chizik and Co. told his bunch to simply play ball. The first half defense looked like a bunch of guys trying to adjust to the game speed and were thinking to much. Once the defense started to just play ball and ease into the game, GT offense didn't ramble. On Saturday those statements were reversed. Let's hope this squad keeps this momentum rollin'.
2. This new scheme shows life
  • Throw out the big plays given up in the run game the first few games, Carolina has shown an ability to be in position to make tackles this year. Chizik, Warren, Scott and Papuchis have worked wonders with this unit. I wish I could define how much more often players are in position to make plays this year. Two plays stand out big time when players, in position made plays: Big ups to Junior Gnonkonde on his forced fumble and fumble recovery and Cayson Collins on his picture perfect open field tackle late in the 4th. 
3. Rhythm on Offense
  • Sure, Carolina got off to a less than desirable start on offense with the first couple of drives ending in punts. Carolina found a spark on the third series with a balanced attack and a heavy dose of Elijah Hood. Kudos to Seth Littrell and Larry Fedora on one of their better playcalling performances. It kept the Georgia Tech defense (all though not a great defense) off balanced and guessing the last 35 minutes of game play. While I'm never the biggest fan of gimmick plays, that was a hell of a call with the reverse pass following the fumble return from JRG. my reaction is evidenced below

Headed into the Bye week it feels pretty good to be sitting exactly where I saw this team. It's the first time in a couple of years Carolina's record after the first month of game play has been as optimistic as it's been. I hope this team makes the most of this bye. Rest up, study film, catch up on school work, hit the training room, and get healthy. Carolina has to come firing out against Wake. It's a night game and I hope Kenan is LIT.

Have a great week y'all.

Go Heels.

WFP
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)