Tar Heels Football: Takeaways from UNC vs. Georgia

Sep 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back T.J. Logan (8) dives for a touchdown against Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Reggie Carter (45) during the third quarter of the 2016 Chick-Fil-A Kickoff game at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Elijah Hood Needs More Carries

Since we are on the topic of running backs, where was Elijah Hood on Saturday? He barely touched the ball. This is unacceptable to say the least. Hood is Carolina’s best player. Against Georgia, Hood rushed 10 times for 72 yards. Hood averaged 7.2 yards per carry. Hood’s longest run was for 32 yards.

Obviously, Hood was having his way on the field with his high average yard per carry. UNC decided not to commit to the run against Georgia. North Carolina ran 19 times while passing the ball 24 times.

Last season, Hood proved that he is one of the best backs in the nation. Last season, he rushed 219 times for 1,463 and 17 touchdowns. My question is this: Why is Hood only rushing 10 times against another top-25 opponent?

In big games, you lean on your best players. Clearly, this was not the case on Saturday for UNC. A 1-2 punch with Hood and Logan could have been the x-factor for UNC. Hood is too good to have only 10 touches in a game. Maximize this young man’s potential. He is one of the best running backs ever to play at UNC. The coaching staff needs to base their play-calling off this premise.

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