Three questions UNC football needs to answer against Richmond Spiders

Davion Gause was one of two North Carolina players who found the end zone in the Tar Heels’ 20-3 win against Charlotte on Saturday. His 12-yard touchdown run was a bright spot in a game that saw UNC’s offense sputter after an opening-drive score.

But when asked on Wednesday about his role in North Carolina’s crowded backfield, Gause didn’t have much clarity.

“I don’t know,” Gause said.

Pressed to elaborate, he added: “Whatever they need me at.”

Gause was one of five running backs UNC played last Saturday. His uncertainty reflects a bigger issue for the Tar Heels. With two games down and one more tune-up against Richmond before a difficult stretch of Power Four opponents, North Carolina is still searching for its identity — especially on offense.

Take the wideouts as an example. Wide receivers coach Garrick McGee said on Thursday that he’s focused on expanding — not shrinking — the pool of reliable contributors. Asked why the offense has sputtered at times, McGee pointed to “a lot of different guys coming together.” He declined to say when a rotation might be set, adding, “we’re still in that process.”

That fits with head coach Bill Belichick’s view — or at least with what he’s shared publicly. Two days after UNC’s season-opening loss to TCU, Belichick said some player roles were locked in. For instance, it’s clear Khmori House and Andrew Simpson are mainstays at linebacker, as inside linebackers coach Jamie Collins emphasized on Thursday.

But for much of the roster, Belichick admitted last week, “we’re kind of trying to figure out what their roles are, and that could change from game to game, regardless of what their skills are.” On Tuesday, Belichick reiterated that “it’ll be a work in progress for a little while.”

For Belichick, finding a team’s identity each season is not always an easy process, regardless of the level. He said it usually takes a third of a season to really know what a team can do.

“A third of the season here is three or four games,” Belichick said. “At some point things will settle in — this is who we are, this is what we can do, this is what we’re going to have trouble doing. I don’t think we’re quite there yet. There’s not enough evidence.”

With that in mind, here are the three biggest questions North Carolina needs to answer against Richmond on Saturday:

1. Can the Tar Heels find a top playmaker in the backfield?

No Tar Heel has seized the No. 1 running back job, though freshman Demon June, who rushed for 52 yards on nine carries (an impressive 5.8-yard average) against Charlotte, may be making his case.

Meanwhile, returning backs such as Caleb Hood and Davion Gause have struggled to stand out and, at times, missed holes. The question now is, can June build on his recent performance? And, more importantly, will anyone in the running back room show the tackle-breaking ability and consistency this offense desperately needs?

“None of those players really had very many carries going into the year,” Belichick said Tuesday about his running back room, “and they’ve gotten some in their early part of the season. So we’ll see how all that goes on.”

2. How will the passing game evolve?

Through two games, only one UNC tight end has recorded a catch: Jake Johnson. Jake, the younger brother of backup quarterback Max Johnson, recorded one reception for 2 yards. That came on the touchdown connection between the two brothers.

With the wide receiver group banged up (McGee declined to comment on Chris Culliver’s injury status on Thursday) and the overall skill-position talent under scrutiny, North Carolina is still searching for more reliable weapons in the passing game.

“The big thing we look for is just the execution that our players are doing,” Belichick said on Tuesday. “Are they running the route the right depth? Are they using the proper technique to get open?”

It’s also worth asking if UNC can get anything from the tight ends, either as targets or as versatile pieces in the formation.

3. Can the defensive front generate more pressure?

The Tar Heels’ defense has shown improvement overall, holding Charlotte to three points and tackling well in space. Still, the pass rush remains a concern.

After going sackless against TCU, UNC finally became the last Power 4 team to tally a sack last Saturday thanks to Simpson. Defensive coordinator Steve Belichick also showed off more varied blitz paths on third down against Charlotte. Still, the defensive line has yet to produce many splash plays or assert itself as a truly disruptive force.

Belichick said Tuesday that it’ll be challenging to defend against Richmond quarterback Kyle Wickersham and the running game.

“Anytime you can get negative plays on early downs and create long yardage, that’s a big key,” Belichick said. “Hopefully we’ll be able to continue to do that.”

Can UNC’s defense clean up any coverage busts and take the next step before competition ramps up? The upcoming game against the Spiders, set for 3:30 p.m. at Kenan Stadium on Saturday, may provide some answers to this and many other questions that still surround the Tar Heels.

This story was originally published September 12, 2025 at 6:00 AM.