Tar Heels Football: Takeaways from UNC vs. Miami

2 of 6

Oct 15, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels safety Donnie Miles (15) tackles Miami Hurricanes running back Mark Walton (1) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The North Carolina Tar Heels defeat the Miami Hurricanes 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

UNC’s Defense – ‘Nuff Respect Due

For all of the old heads, “‘Nuff Respect Due” is a classic hip hop jam by old school 90’s rapper Big Daddy Kane off the “Juice” soundtrack. This song fits the defense for the North Carolina Tar Heels.

UNC’s defense deserves respect; more respect than what they have gotten lately. The Tar Heels defense held Miami’s offense to 13 points. Prior to Saturday’s game, Miami averaged 41.4 points per game.

Currently, Donnie Miles, Jr. (pictured above) ties with Virginia’s Quin Blanding for most tackles in the ACC (49). In the game against Miami, Miles led North Carolina in tackles with eight including five solo tackles.

Moreover, North Carolina held Miami’s Mark Walton to 82 yards on 24 carries. In addition, Walton caught three passes for 23 yards. Walton did not reach the endzone against the Tar Heels. Walton ranks third in the ACC with 566 yards.

In the past three weeks, UNC’s defense has faced two of the top three ACC running backs in Walton and Dalvin Cook (Florida State). North Carolina did a good job limiting, rather ‘maintaining’ both running backs, despite Cook rushing 29 times for 140 yards and three touchdowns. Cook scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter against UNC.

With the exception of Virginia Tech, North Carolina has beaten two ranked teams from the state of Florida (Miami and Florida State). UNC’s defense has gotten through the toughest part of their schedule. If the defense continues to step up their game, North Carolina will surely be in the 2016 ACC Championship game.

Give Carolina’s D their props. They deserve a pat-on-the-back. Now, finish the season strong.

Home/UNC Football