UNC Football Taking on Physical Mentality To Run The Ball
By Jordan Falls
The UNC Football program has taken a new approach along the offensive line for the 2023 season, including being more physical up front.
The UNC football offensive line has heard all offseason about their inability to create running lanes in 2022 and not giving Drake Maye enough time to throw. Heading into their season opener against the South Carolina Gamecocks, the offensive line wanted to create a new narrative around their unit.
One of the biggest weaknesses last year was the lack of a running game which led to Maye being the team’s leading rusher. Part of that was attributed to the running backs not finding the holes in the running game and hitting them precisely. The other factor of Maye leading the team in rushing yards was that he wasn’t given enough time in the pocket and had to use his legs to make plays more often.
On Thursday, the coaching staff and a few players spoke to the media about the offensive line’s new mindset, which also includes an acronym of “RTDB,” standing for “Run The Damn Ball.” Clearly, they took that to heart as they made it known early and often against the Gamecocks that they were going to dominate in the trenches. The Tar Heels rushed for 168 yards and two touchdowns, along with converting a fourth down out of the wildcat formation which the UNC football coaching staff calls the “Ram” package.
Not only did the Tar Heels establish a running game on Saturday night against South Carolina, but they also kept Drake Maye clean – allowing zero sacks. Mack Brown complimented his team on that to the media this week.
"I told them no sacks. No sacks and no tackles for loss. I’ve been saying it for four years, and we just keep doing it. … Establish the run. Play action. Get the ball out of your hands fast."
The offensive line wasn’t the only one getting involved. The tight ends also played their part in blocking up front, a mindset of former NFL head coach Freddie Kitchens, who has told his unit that if they don’t block, they won’t play. Kamari Morales commented on his blocking game.
"Blocking is, I would say, 10% technical and 90% want-to. And I feel like the want-to was there. The technique side, we definitely got to work on that. That’s something that we drill every single day."
Being physical and establishing the running game is important and sets the tone for the game, and Morales knows that.
"Without physicality from our room, the offense can’t do what it needs to do. So we kind of went into that game, we wanted to set the tone for how we would be for the whole season. I feel like we did that effectively."
The next challenge will come Saturday against Appalachian State, who outgained the Tar Heels in last year’s matchup when the Mountaineers rushed for 288 yards compared to just 215 for Carolina. There’s always room for improvement, and seventh-year senior Corey Gaynor Is looking to get even more physical as the season progresses.
"I thought we did some good things. I also thought we didn’t finish as well as I wanted us to. So much more room for improvement. So much more room for physicality. We’re just taking it one day at a time and showing up to work every day."
There may be room for improvement, but the season opener in Charlotte against an SEC opponent is certainly a step in the right direction for the Tar Heels and the UNC football program if they want to accomplish their goals in 2023. The more they can establish the run game, the more it will take pressure off of star quarterback Drake Maye and open up passing lanes. It also will allow the offense to have more ball control and control the time of possession, allowing the defense to not be on the field for the entirety of the game.
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