Despite being the better team, UNC fans braced for the worst when the North Carolina Tar Heels went into the half down four. After the break, though, the Tar Heels focused on what went right in the first
half to dominate the second stanza.
This Carolina team, under the unrelenting focus of the national microscope, finally found a way to put it together and earn its first conference win of the season.
Here are a few things learned in the 27-10 win over Syracuse on Halloween night.
UNC’s Defense is No Fluke
The Carolina defense did not allow a touchdown last night, and held Syracuse to just 147 total yards. UNC allowed the fewest total yards all season, and held its opponent to less than 300 yards for the third straight games.
Despite departures and injuries, the defense has carried this team in the last three games and provided opportunities to win each of them.
The Orange offense is depleted, and starting a true freshman lacrosse player was a head-scratcher. At halftime, of course, it seemed like enough to stay just ahead of a struggling Tar Heel offense.
However, the defense did not consider this and continued to apply pressure. Syracuse had 71 total yards in the first half and 76 yards in the second. The difference came on third down.
In the first half, the Orange converted two of seven third downs. Syracuse moved the chains on just one of five third downs in the second half, limiting the Orange to just a conversion rate of 25 percent. For comparison, Virginia leads the ACC in opponent third-down conversion at 29 percent.
It is important to keep things in perspective, especially with the offense Syracuse put on the field. But you still must perform, and the Tar Heels did that tonight.
Next week, can UNC continue to suffocate a low-performing offense?
The Right Offensive Adjustments Paid Off
During the first half, a long time Tar Heel Blog reader mentioned that offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens was like George Costanza.
Was it because every offensive instinct he had was wrong, and he should do the opposite? Or because he showed up to work (either assigned to the Penske file or as the Assistant to the Traveling Secretary for the New York Yankees), and had no idea what he was doing?
Sometimes the best solution is the most simple.
After running the ball 20 times in the first half, Carolina ran it 23 more times in the second half. In his post-game interview, head coach Bill Belichick said, “the guys kept grinding … we kinda ran the ball when they knew we were gonna run it, and that was encouraging.” Demon June ran for 101 yards, and Davion Gause added 57 in a committee effort that included Benjamin Hall and quarterback Gio Lopez.
A ton of credit has to go to the offensive line. The big guys obviously made big pushes for June and Gause, but also provided Lopez time in the pocket. Carolina allowed no sacks and just one quarterback hurry.
When the position scores are tallied, the run block should have the highest marks of the season.
More Work to Do on Critical Downs
Sure, the UNC defense held Syracuse to just three third-down conversions in 12 attempts.
The Carolina offense was just four of 13 on third down.
When Tar Heel fans were watching the first half, an extra reach into the Halloween candy bowl was likely warranted after a first and goal from the three-yard line turned into a field goal attempt from the six.
Fortunately, UNC got three points, but it was four fewer than they should have scored.
Carolina scored 10 points on three trips into the red zone. As November looms, the Tar Heels must find a way to score on each attempt inside the 20. The team simply cannot afford to leave points on the board.
Oh, and do not forget that ball security is job security.
