UNC Film Review: UVA Recap – Doubling down on an 18

After watching the final seconds in Charlottesville tick away this past Saturday two thoughts crossed my mind.

1 – I couldn’t wait to get off the treadmill in 12 minutes

2 – How in the hell did Carolina get out of C-ville for a third consecutive win in Scott Stadium.

What looked like a team resorting back to the struggle that long was Carolina playing in C-ville (Carolina won there once between 1980 and 2008), Fedora and Co. dialed back the O, remained calm and collected, and got the Tar Heel machine chuggin’ in the right direction. While this game in the grand scheme of things was far from perfection, the Tar Heels came away with positives to build on and negatives to correct.

Let’s start with the positives:

1. Carolina’s Defense in the Final 40 

After looking like the game was getting away for Koenning’s Defense, Vic decided to throw a mixed bag at the Wahoo Offense. In the final 40 minutes we saw anything from blitzes in all the gaps, to just 4 D Linemen rushing the QB. Carolina did give up more yards than what was comfortable but time and time again the UNC defense forced 3 and outs or turnovers, bent and didn’t break.  The most important turnover resulted in the winning score. I was extremely encouraged with the play of the defensive line, especially Junior Gnonkonde and Ethan Farmer and in the linebacking corps, Freshman Cayson Collins.

In these next two vines, we see text book run fits from Gnonkonde and Farmer. Watch their hands as they both rip through the reach blocks by UVAs O Line, pursue and make tackles at the line of scrimmage.

With the front six winning the trenches in the run game, it allowed Koenning to dial up stunts and blitzes in passing downs and kept the UVA offense out of rhythm.

2. Carolina’s Big Plays on Offense

While the run game and short passing game looked okay at times, Carolina’s offense didn’t find too much success consistently against UVA’s tough defense. 3 massive plays resulting in touchdowns decided this ballgame and they were all started by the wheels and right arm  of this guy.

What a perfectly executed play call from Littrell. Carolina goes read option, the UVA linebackers and high safety all bite on the fake handoff and Quise wins the foot race to 6.

3. Marquise Williams I’ll be the first to admit, that before this season I thought Marquise Williams end up losing his starting gig to Mitch Trubisky. It seems like week in and week out I couldn’t be more wrong about his progression this year. UVA’s abused Marquise play after play this past week and all he did was keep fighting. This run from Williams shows as much determination and desire to win as I’ve seen on this ball club this year.

Unfortunately, in each game there are a number of negatives. This past Saturday was no different

1. Missed Tackles 

It’s pretty apparent that one of the overall themes of this year’s defense is how missed tackles are resulting in big plays. Two examples from this past Saturday about made me throw the remote through the television

First, what in the Sam hell was the secondary doing?! I couldn’t even figure out what the coverage was on this play.

First, Tim Scott loses the WR in space then misses a tackle. Second, Brian Walker loafs alongside the ballcarrier rather than attacking, thus leaving Sam Smiley in no man’s land. Des Lawrence, dives and misses the third tackle opportunity.

What in the Sam Hell was the Secondary doing?!

Sam Smiley, caught in no man’s land lets the ball carrier come to him. He doesn’t even breakdown and UVA’s Canaan Severin waltzes into the endzone.

Second, what looked like to a perfectly defended screen play, turned into another score for UVA due to missed tackles.

Carolina did an excellent job of sniffing out this screen to Kevin Parks, but one tremendous spin move later, UNC’s defense looked hopeless in keeping this guy out of the endzone. I’m still scratching my head how this play didn’t result in a loss. I’ll repeat, these missed tackles must end eventually. With Duke Johnson this upcoming weekend, I’m having flashbacks of UNC defenders struggling to get off blocks and Johnson running through arm tackles.

2. UNC’s Kicking Game

There has to be someone on the UNC Campus that can make a field goal longer than 25 yards. Maybe it’s time to give the Senior, Thomas Moore another shot. I’m worried that this dreadful kicking game will cost Carolina a victory down the stretch.

3. Offensive Inconsistency and Finishing Drives

Credit to UVA’s defense, during too many periods in this game their defense looked downright dominant against what I consider an above average Carolina offense.

The hits to Marquise Williams are adding up fast

Aside from the long scoring plays, and the game winning drive, UVA’s defense forced Carolina into turnovers, 3 and outs and kicking situations where UNC has had zero success. Going forward UNC’s offense must feature more of these grind it out runs, and protection like this for Quise. The hits to Marquise Williams are adding up fast.

Even with the UVA zone blitz, UNC’s protection allows Williams to step into his throw and hit Quinshad Davis for a much needed third down conversion.

A work of art in the run game. Logan’s patience allows the O Line to time their blocks and reach the second level. If Logan bounces this one to the outside, it’s a footrace between he and UVA safety Quin Blanding.

I was troubled with stat highlighting the opportunities UNC left on the field. Of the 4 UNC offensive possessions to start in the UVA half of the field, one resulted in a score, while 2 resulted in missed kicks and the fourth resulted in a turnover on downs. For as strong as Carolina has been in the red zone in 2014 (16 of 18 red zone trips resulting in Touchdowns), this offense must make the most of these short fields.

I was damn proud of how this team fought back after finding themselves down a pair of scores early in the first quarter. What lies ahead is a war against a scorching hot Miami squad fresh off a beating of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. Time for UNC Football to get healthy, get focused and get ready for The U.

Cheers,

@FootbawFrat