UNC ready to snap losing streak vs State: ‘we’ve got to do our part in this rivalry.’
When the final whistle sounded at the end of the North Carolina’s 34-28 overtime loss to N.C. State last season, a fight broke out in the end zone.
It was an embarrassing end to an already embarrassing 2-9 season. But it also marked the end of what UNC once was: A team with little hope and no clear direction of where it was heading.
In 2018, the Tar Heels were playing for pride.
This season, with Mack Brown back in his second stint as coach, the Tar Heels are playing to be bowl eligible. If UNC (5-6, 3-4 ACC) can beat N.C. State (4-7, 1-6) on Saturday in Raleigh, it would secure bowl eligibility for the first time since the 2016 season.
“The past is the past, and we got rid of it,” UNC senior safety Myles Dorn said Tuesday. “Whatever we do (Saturday) will be the standard for the years to come.”
So far, the Tar Heels seem to be setting the standard.
For one, they are winning more. They already have five wins, which is the equal to the number of wins they had in the previous two seasons combined. And, after three consecutive losses to Duke, UNC finally broke free with a 20-17 win at home on Oct. 26.
Against N.C. State, UNC has not fared well in recent years. The Wolfpack has won the last three games and nine of the last 12.
“Like the Duke game, they’ve dominated this series as of late,” UNC coach Mack Brown said of N.C. State, “so it’s time for us to step up and play better. Like against Duke, we’ve got to do our part in this rivalry.”
Keeping their composure
In a rivalry game, emotions can sometimes take over, and it certainly did in 2018. That’s why the Tar Heels say one of the most important things they’ll have to do is keep their composure.
Nine of the Tar Heels’ 11 games this season have been decided by seven points or less. And a bad penalty, or a mistake could be what decides a win or a loss in a tight game.
For the most part this season, UNC has been a disciplined team.
UNC’s game against Pitt earlier this month got a little chippy.
Before the game, players from both teams met at midfield and got in each other’s faces before they were separated by their respective staffs. During the game, there was at least one late hit, and pushing and shoving after the whistle.
But the Tar Heels did a good job of avoiding trouble. They’ll have to show that composure again.
“We’ve got to just handle every situation the right way,” junior running back Michael Carter said. “But to be honest, nobody is going to fight. Nobody is living that lifestyle.”
Why the running game will be important
The Tar Heels are at their best when they are running the football well. They are 4-0 when they rush for 200 or more yards in a game.
Against Mercer, UNC ran for a season-high 376 yards, and it resulted in an easy 56-7 win.
At times this season, UNC’s running backs have dealt with nagging injuries. Senior Antonio Williams was dealing with a sore Achilles and a hamstring injury that limited him throughout the season. He says he’s finally healthy. He has rushed for 172 yards in his last two games.
And recently, UNC’s second-leading rusher Javonte Williams, suffered a bruised thigh and an upper body injury. He also said he was healthy on Tuesday.
Carter had his best game of the season last week with 159 yards rushing and three touchdowns.
An effective running game will open up the passing game for UNC quarterback Sam Howell, and give the Tar Heels a chance to expose N.C. State’s injury-depleted secondary.
“It’s makes the defense that much harder to stop us when they have so many things to worry about,” Howell said Tuesday.
The Wolfpack has given up 21 passing touchdowns this year, and has intercepted only three passes. The three interceptions are tied for last place in the FBS.
If the Tar Heels can take advantage and do those things right, it will be heading to a bowl game.
UNC AT NC STATE
When: Saturday, 7 p.m.
Where: Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh
Watch: ACC Network
Listen: WRAL-101.5, WTKK-106.1
