Tar Heels Football: Takeaways from UNC vs. Miami
![Oct 15, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels linebacker Andre Smith (10) brings down Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Stacy Coley (3) 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 Oct 15, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels linebacker Andre Smith (10) brings down Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Stacy Coley (3) 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](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/98d37d447f3e4ba0cc0ce5bb2ea8f8d6bc4ce074d0cf30ec2fd6bab5d90984f1.jpg)
The Big Trubisky
For several weeks, I have been working on nicknames for UNC quarterback Mitch Trubisky. The ‘Big Trubisky’ is a play on words from ‘The Big Lebowski.’ Maybe it works, maybe not, but one thing we can agree on is this. Trubisky has come up big for the Tar Heels this season.
Trubisky led the Tar Heels with this stat line against Miami. He completed 33 of 46 pass completions for 299 yards and two touchdowns plus 13 rushes for 47 yards.
Trubisky threw no interceptions. For the season, Trubisky has completed 179 of 254 passes (70.5%) for 2,068 yards with 15 touchdowns and two interceptions. Trubisky ranks second in the ACC in passing yards (2,068) behind Syracuse’s Eric Dungey (2,197).
For the past few weeks, I have been on “Trubisky for Heisman” campaign. The campaign continues. Although Clemson’s Deshaun Watson and Louisville’s Lamar Jackson are extraordinary at the quarterback position, Trubisky has:
- more passing yards than them
- a higher percentage of completions
- a better quarterback rating
- a better touchdown-to-interception ratio
Call me biased if you want, but remember numbers don’t lie. Both Jackson and Watson deserve the attention and publicity, but Trubisky deserves just as much press as them. North Carolina has to continue winning games for Trubisky’s Heisman campaign to gain momentum.
The rest of the 2016 schedule is winnable for the Tar Heels. Other teams have to take notice of Trubisky. He has proven to become a force to be reckoned with.