UNC Football: Key Players and Moments from loss to Clemson

Another week and another record setting performance against North Carolina’s porous defense who has now allowed 120 points in the last 2 games. This was the first time in program history that they gave up 50 or more points in two straight games. At least they did not give up and quit this week like they did against East Carolina the previous week.

The defense is allowing 44 points per game to go along with 543 yards a game so this season. This weekend’s record breaking performance belonged to Clemson freshman quarterback Deshaun Watson, who set a school record and tied an ACC record with six touchdown passes in his first career start. Anyone who had seen Watson play against Florida State or Georgia already knew the kid was special and has future All-American and ACC Player of the Year written all over him. Still, to give up six touchdowns to someone making their first start is unacceptable. With games against Virginia Tech and Notre Dame in the next 2 weeks a season that began with so much promise for the Tar Heels could quickly turn into a nightmare.

Key Players

Marquise Williams shows why the two quarterback system is not necessary

Despite once again having to deal with Larry Fedora wanting to play musical chairs at the quarterback position, Marquise Williams had his best statistical game of the season so far against the Tigers going 24-38 for 345 yards and 4 touchdowns while connecting with 13 different receivers. The junior from Charlotte was able to find his rhythm in the second half and the lead the Heels on 4 scoring drives. However, due to a 20 point deficit, the Heels were not able to threaten the Tigers.

A Ryan Switzer sighting

Last year sophomore Ryan Switzer was one of the most exciting players not just in the ACC but in the entire country. So far this year he has been unable to create the same magic as last season however he was able to give a reminder of how exciting he could be when he took a bubble screen 75 yards for a touchdown. With Tar Heels defense unable to stop anyone, they are going to have to turn every game into a shootout to have any chance of winning. The Heels must find a way to get the ball in the hands of their playmakers like Switzer, Quinshad Davis, who has yet to have over 50 yards receiving this season, T.J. Logan, who has not scored a touchdown yet this season, and the rest of the talented skill players that UNC has.

Defense once again cost UNC a chance to win