UNC Football: Defense takes step back in win versus App St

The UNC Football program had a strong week one showing on the defensive side of the ball and hoped to carry that into week two. Were they able to?

Coming off one of the most impressive defensive performances in school history in week one versus South Carolina, the UNC football program hoped to build on that success against Appalachian State in the 2023 home opener. That didn’t exactly happen… why not? And what went wrong for the Tar Heels?

First, let’s give credit where credit is due. Appalachian State came to Chapel Hill with a great game plan to counter what the Tar Heels accomplished in week one against the Gamecocks. In week one, Carolina recorded nine sacks and 16 tackles for loss. The nine sacks were the second most in a single game in UNC football program history since sack recording became an official team stat in 2000.

The Mountaineers made sure to put backup, junior college transfer, quarterback Joey Aguilar in a position to make quick passes to avoid the pass rush that Spencer Rattler dealt with in Charlotte. Quick hitch routes, bubble screens, and slants were the basis of the Mountaineers offense. A place where the Tar Heel defense struggle was on medium yardage situations (2 & 5, 3 & 5, etc.).

Carolina’s defensive backs didn’t press the Mountaineer receivers and played off the line of scrimmage enough to allow for stick routes to be run too frequently. This has been a struggle for years now where defensive backs don’t press enough and give the opposing receivers too much freedom to get a clean release off the line of scrimmage.

The Mountaineers were ultimately 8 for 17 on third down and 2 for 3 on fourth down. Several times Appalachian State had third and medium/long, and the Tar Heels couldn’t get a stop. Rather it was a simple run play that picked up 10+ yards, or Aguilar just throwing a 50/50 ball and the Mountaineers winning the possession.

South Carolina didn’t have a game plan for the Tar Heels pressure among the front seven. Appalachian State did. Now, how can Carolina improve? Because one thing is certain, don’t be surprised to see teams take more of an Appalachian State offensive approach the rest of the season against the Tar Heels, consisting of quick passes and runs in obvious passing situations.

The Tar Heels had several plays that were just momentum-killers for the defense. One of the most obvious was the Mountaineer drive that began on the Mountaineer 5-yard line with 4:20 remaining in the first quarter after Ben Kiernan’s 48-yard punt.

The Mountaineers were backed up deep in their own territory, and the defense had a great opportunity to make a stand to flip field position. Unfortunately, on 3rd and 12, the Tar Heels were called for a facemask penalty after stopping the Mountaineers and keeping the drive alive. That led to an eight-minute drive that resulted in giving up three points.

Getting off the field has to become a point of emphasis going forward. Another key point was prior to the facemask penalty on 3rd and 12, Carolina forced a fumble inside the 10-yard line and failed to recover. Later in the game, the Mountaineers also put the ball on the ground again inside the 20, but with a lucky bounce, recovered that one as well.

Carolina allowed 219 yards rushing, and five yards per carry to the Mountaineers on Saturday night. A drastic difference from the negative two yards rushing from a week ago against the Gamecocks.

Ultimately, the defense is still improved from a year ago and was able to get a stop when it mattered in double overtime. That doesn’t mean they can’t improve. Building on success is something the UNC football program has to be able to do as a whole, and that holds especially true on the defensive side of the ball.

The keys to a successful defensive performance will be the same for most of the year for this team: 1) create pressure with the front seven, 2) wrap up and tackle on first contact, and 3) capitalize on opportunities. The Tar Heels seemed to wrap up well on Saturday night, but they didn’t do No. 1 or No. 3 as well. That must improve going forward.

The next challenge for UNC Football will be next Saturday when Minnesota comes to Chapel Hill for a 3:30 PM kick. Will the Golden Gophers take a similar approach to App State with quick passes to keep the pressure off from Tar Heel front? What adjustments will Gene Chizik make this week? Time will tell.

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