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UNC Football vs. Appalachian State: Preview, game info and more

By Zack Pearson

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 15: Tae Hayes #17 of the Appalachian State Mountaineers reacts after recovering the ball against Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders during the R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 15, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 15: Tae Hayes #17 of the Appalachian State Mountaineers reacts after recovering the ball against Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders during the R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 15, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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The UNC Football program is looking to move to 3-1 on the year as they face an unfamiliar foe in the Appalachian State Mountaineers.

The North Carolina Tar Heels will return home and look to get back on track this Saturday when they host Appalachian State at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Following their first loss of the season at Wake Forest, the Tar Heels now have the chance to take care of some business at home.

And they will try to do that against an in-state opponent that enters the week unbeaten at 2-0.

The Mountaineers opened the season with a 42-7 win over East TN State and then followed that up with a 56-41 win over Charlotte. But this will be their biggest test of the season, matchup with Power 5 school UNC.

Over the years, Appalachian State has played Power 5 schools tough losing by one score each time to No. 9 Tennessee (2016), Wake Forest (2017) and then Penn State a year later (2018). We all remember what they did in 2007, upsetting Michigan in the Big House to open up the year. UNC can’t take this team lightly and if they want to make a bowl in their first season in the second Mack Brown era, getting a win will be crucial against an opponent like Appalachian State.

The game also comes just a week before they host No. 1 Clemson in Chapel Hill, so it’s key to take care of business this weekend.

The Mountaineers are led by an offense that can put some points up on the board and do so in a hurry. Quarterback Zac Thomas is 30 of 44 on the season with 332 yards and 5 touchdowns in the two games. But it’s the running game that is what the Mountaineers will need to have a shot in this game.

Darrynton Thomas is their leading rusher with 333 yards on 33 attempts and 4 touchdowns. He’s been fantastic early on for them and will be someone that the UNC defense will need to account for when he’s on the field.

If the Mountaineers can get into a rhythm early on offense, they will have a legit shot at pulling off the upset.

Defensively the Mountaineers can falter if you get on them early and move the ball, establishing long scoring drives. UNC can’t come out and struggle early on and let the Mountaineers hang in this one. Look for UNC’s offensive line to keep Sam Howell clean and give him a chance to make some plays.

Key to the Game for UNC

Stopping the run will be the biggest thing for UNC on Saturday. Their defense really struggled early vs. Wake Forest before turning things around. The defense really showed up in that second half and gave the offense a chance to come back with a shot to win it.

The Mountaineers have a very good rushing attack and it should be the focal point of UNC’s defense on Saturday. UNC is giving up 176 yards per game on the ground, among the worst in the nation through the first three games on the season.

If UNC can somehow find a way to force Thomas to have to put the ball up and make life difficult on him all game, they should come out victorious.

Getting defensive lineman Jason Strowbridge healthy will be a big key as he missed the game vs. Wake last week. With Strowbridge back, the Tar Heels’ get a boost to that front seven which will have their work cut out for them with this rushing attack.

Something to watch

How do the Tar Heels respond early on? Will they let the Mountaineers hang in the game and give them a chance to pull off the upset? Or will they jump on them early?

Let’s hope it’s the latter.

UNC got off to that slow start vs. Wake Forest and although they almost pulled off the comeback, it cost them another win. On Saturday, coming out and putting your foot on the gas by jumping out to a lead and not looking back will be huge. If UNC can do that, it should build some confidence and they should come away victorious.

What you need to know

WHAT?  Appalachian State 2-0 AT North Carolina Tar Heels 2-1 (1-0 ACC)
WHEN?  Saturday,  September 21, 3:30 p.m. EST
WHERE?  Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
TV? ACC Network Extra
RADIO? Tar Heels Sports Network
WEATHER? High of 84 degrees and sunny.
LINE? North Carolina -3
ALL-TIME SERIES? UNC leads 1-0
PREDICTION? UNC 38, Appalachian State 30

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