UNC offensive line’s a weapon, Duke coach says

North Carolina quarterback Marquise Williams has a lot of fancy stats this season, both rushing and passing.

UNC tailback Elijah Hood has put up impressive offensive numbers. So, too, wide receiver Mack Hollins, who is averaging 24.2 yards a catch, and others.

But you know who really has impressed Duke coach David Cutcliffe as the Blue Devils prepared to face the Tar Heels this week at Kenan Stadium?

“The offensive line,” Cutcliffe said Thursday.

Yes, the big guys for UNC: tackles John Ferranto and Jon Heck, guards Caleb Peterson and Landon Turner, and center Lucas Crowley.

“The quarterback is a great player,” Cutcliffe said. “He can beat you with his feet and he can beat you with his arm, and he has weapons all around him.

“But I think the biggest concern to begin with is an outstanding offensive line. As you study football, you’re a coach, that’s where it all starts. I’ve said all week long that their offensive line is very much one of their weapons, so that’s a big challenge.”

UNC (7-1 overall, 4-0 ACC) has allowed nine sacks in eight games, second in the ACC only to Duke’s five sacks. That’s a testament to the Tar Heels’ O-line efficiency – as well as Williams’ elusiveness – and UNC is averaging 36.9 points and 469.9 yards in total offense per game.

It will help the Blue Devils that defensive end Kyler Brown should be able to play. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound senior from Matthews has been sidelined the past couple of games with a leg injury but is probable for the UNC game.

“Kyler makes a difference,” Cutcliffe said. “He’s a very veteran defensive player who has started off and on for four years, a senior who knows his position well.”

Cutcliffe said having Brown back would give the Devils added flexibility with senior ends Deion Williams, Carlos Wray and Britton Grier.

The Tar Heels pounded out 315 yards rushing and had 591 total against Duke a year ago in a 45-20 thrashing at Wallace Wade Stadium. Tailback T.J. Logan had 118 yards on 18 carries and Williams finished with 98 yards on 21 carries.

“If they’re running the ball on us like they did a year ago, it’s going to be very difficult,” Cutcliffe said. “You’re not going to stop them, but you’ve got to minimize explosive plays.”

While nearly all of the post-game attention after Duke’s 30-27 loss to Miami on Saturday centered on the Hurricanes’ controversial kickoff return at the end, the Canes were able to create offensive balance with a redshirt freshman, Malik Rosier, at quarterback.

Williams is a senior who appears to be playing his best football as the Tar Heels have won seven in a row to move to the top of the ACC’s Coastal Division. He’s third in total offense (268.9 yards a game), sixth in passing yards per game (202.9) and second to Clemson’s Deshaun Watson in passing efficiency (154.2). He’s also eighth in the ACC in rushing with 528 yards for the season.

“I saw him in high school and he’s always been a great athlete,” Cutcliffe said of Williams, who played at Charlotte’s Mallard Creek High. “He’s a fierce competitor, as well.”

Hood, a sophomore from Charlotte, has 744 yards rushing this season (93.0 a game), picking up 6.2 yards a carry while scoring eight touchdowns.

Asked the biggest challenge in facing UNC’s offense, Cutcliffe said simply, “Figuring out what to stop.”

The Blue Devils (6-2, 3-1) will be missing one of their offensive weapons. Cutcliffe said Thursday running back Shaun Wilson will be out with a lower-leg injury.

Time of possession could be a factor, and especially for Duke. Some minute-crunching drives and scores could keep UNC’s fast-paced offense off the field.

“You’d love to keep the ball because that’s the best way to stymie a great offense,” Cutcliffe said.

The Blue Devils did little to stymie the Tar Heels last season, but Duke’s Dwayne Norman, a senior linebacker, said he didn’t expect a repeat.

“I think we are a lot better than we were on defense last year,” Norman said. “We have a lot of older players and experienced players.”

This story was originally published November 5, 2015 at 8:48 PM with the headline "UNC offensive line’s a weapon, Duke coach says."