By Doc Kennedy
Part of the challenge of the second year of UNC football under Bill Belichick has been failure to deliver on a proof of concept. In particular, over the course of this season, steps forward by the Tar Heels have been followed by big steps backward. A strong opening to the season was followed by the collapse at Clemson. Big road wins in league play were followed by the disappointment at home vs. Syracuse. After going toe-to-toe with the #1 team in the country last week vs. Miami, could Carolina deliver a win over an average UConn team as an 8½ point favorite?
For a while, it looked like another edition of “here we go again.” The offense was stuck in neutral, Bad Billy showed up for the first time since Syracuse, and the defense couldn’t get off the field. A defensive score primed the pump, and the offense took advantage of another turnover (however questionable it may have been) on the way to building a 28–14 lead.
Part of the proof of concept has been for the Tar Heels to be better in the second half, and again, for a while, Carolina was as sloppy as the second-half weather. But the UNC defense clamped down on the Huskies, converting on the third UConn turnover of the day, and left East Hartford with a 38–21 win.
After not scoring 30 points against FBS competition in the first 19 games of the Belichick era, UNC has scored 30 or more for three straight weeks and the defense had three sacks and another tackle for loss to go with the three forced turnovers. Not a bad day at the office.
With that in mind, here is the UConn edition of the Good, Bad, and Ugly Report:
Good
Jelani Thurman
The Ohio State transfer and Billy Edwards’ favorite target had seven receptions for 64 yards and 2 scores, but more importantly tied the UNC single season record for touchdown receptions by a tight end.
Benjamin Hall
Hall returned to lead back duties for most of the game, with nine carries for 81 yards and a score before leaving the game with an injury. Hall led a resurgence of the running game as the Tar Heels, ranked among the bottom of FBS teams in rushing yards per game, amassed 164 yards on the ground.
Peyton Seelmann
The Richmond transfer was expected to be a defensive star this season and had a big day, with nine tackles and two sacks.
Timir Hickman-Collins
The sophomore linebacker (top photo) executed a tip drill and ended up with a 62-yard pick-six.
Bad
Penalties
Although the Tar Heels are among the least-penalized teams in the conference, UNC was flagged 6 times for 50 yards, including a pass interference, two drive-killing holds on the offensive line and an unusual defensive illegal formation penalty on a punt.
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Ugly
Big plays
The Carolina defense gave up 13 plays of over 15 yards. In a game where UNC controlled the time of possession and forced three turnovers and three more turnovers on downs, the damage from missed tackles and blown coverages was fortunately limited.
Ultimately, UNC handled success, which they are not always known to do. The Tar Heels garnered their fifth win of the season, needing only one win in their final three for bowl eligibility. But the proof of concept will again need to be shown next week when an athletic Louisville team comes to Chapel Hill for Homecoming. Can Carolina take the next step, or will it be another stepping on a rake? Either way, UNC has exceeded expectations for the season, but the proof of concept remains.
Doc Kennedy is an alum, longtime UNC fan, and former high school and college basketball coach who wrote this report for years on Tar Heel Blog.
Photo via @UNCFootball
