As the North Carolina Tar Heels prepare for their home opener, let’s take a closer look at their opponent this weekend, the East Tennessee State University Buccaneers.
The Opponent
All-time Record
399–463–27, 4-2 in bowl games
Best Former player
Donnie Abraham. There aren’t a ton of former Buccaneers that have made the jump to the next level, but Abraham had a good career in the NFL, spending nine seasons in the pros with the other Buccaneers in Tampa Bay and the New York Jets. During those nine seasons he made the playoffs
six times, made the pro bowl once, and tied for the NFL season lead in interceptions in 1999.
Connections to UNC
ETSU completely shut down their football program in 2003. When they reinstated it, their first head coach was none other than Carl Torbush. The former Mack Brown assistant was unfortunately not much more successful with the Buccaneers than he was with the Tar Heels, ending his three-year run there with an 11-22 record. Additionally, two former Buccaneers transferred to play for the Tar Heels before making it to the NFL. The first is Gerald Sensabaugh who transferred to UNC after the football program was shut down in 2003. Sensabaugh spent his senior season at North Carolina before being drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. Sensabaugh spent 8 seasons in the pros with the Jaguars and Cowboys. The other player is Alijah Huzzie who transferred to UNC in 2023. Huzzie spent two seasons in Chapel Hill before joining the Houston Texans as undrafted free agent.
Head Coach
Will Healy. Healy, who played quarterback at Air Force and Richmond, is in his second season as the head coach of ETSU. Previously, he was head coach of the Charlotte 49ers, where he went 15-24 in four seasons, and the Austin Peay Governors, where he went 13-21 in three seasons. Overall he is 36-51 and 0-1 in bowl games (a 31-9 2019 Bahamas Bowl loss to Buffalo).
Last season
Last season, the Buccaneers were 7-5 overall and 5-3 in conference (good for third overall in the Southern Conference). Notable results from last season include a 72-17 beatdown at Tennessee in their only game versus a FBS squad last year and winning five or their last six games — including their final four — to finish the season.
When the Tar Heels are on offense
When North Carolina is on offense they should look to run the ball. In two games this season, the Buccaneers have allowed 402 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns on 80 rushing attempts (five yards per carry). Benjamin Hall, Jaylen McGill, and Demon Junes should all see multiple touches in this game.
When the Tar Heels are on defense
When North Carolina is on defense, they should focus on stopping quarterback Mason Mims. Mims, a transfer from Louisville, is averaging 307.5 passing yards per game this season with five touchdowns to just one interception while completing 74.2 percent of his pass attempts (46 of 62). Mims has also only taken one sack this season, so getting pressure on the redshirt freshman should be key. Additionally, the Tar Heel linebackers should be looking to contain running back TJ Peyton, a transfer from Georgia State, who has 201 rushing yards and three touchdowns already this season while averaging 7.7 yards per carry. The sophomore back is a big play threat, having already broken out for a run of over 40 yards this season.
Even with everything happening off the field, this should still be an easy win for North Carolina. If the Buccaneers keep it close and this game is still in question at any point in the second half, consider that a huge win for the away team and obviously a huge red flag for the home team.
What do you think about the Tar Heels’ next opponent? Let us know in the comments below.
