Preview: North Carolina Football Season Opener vs. South Carolina

Charlotte, N.C. – Comparison is the thief of joy, and since last November, so much hype centered around the return of North Carolina Football Head Coach Mack Brown. 

But the 2019 team could care less about what happened within the past 31, or two, years. All they care about is their season-opener against South Carolina. 

“We’ve talked to our guys about: this is about now,” Brown said.  “It’s not about my past. It’s not about their past. It’s about what we do starting on Saturday; and that’s a new era, whatever you want to call it, but their legacy will be this team, this year, and especially, the seniors.”

One of the seniors who has experienced the thrill of playing in a bowl game, the heartache of consecutive losing seasons and injuries is free safety, Myles Dorn.

“Everybody’s forgotten about the past,” Dorn said. “We’re on to a new year, a new season. Everything’s fresh. Everything’s new, just around the building and in the atmosphere; so we’re just gonna carry that on into the season.” 

The highly anticipated start of Tar Heel football is less than 48 hours away. Here’s what you need to make a note of before 3:30 p.m. rolls around on Saturday. 

Highly touted Freshman vs. Seasoned Veteran

True freshman quarterback Sam Howell will start for the Tar Heels after beating out redshirt freshmen Jace Ruder and redshirt freshman Cade Fortin, who decided to transfer, in fall camp. Howell is a dual-threat quarterback. Teammates and coaches describe him as hardworking with a lead-by-example quiet demeanor and exceptional arm talent.

“The trick for (Howell) as a freshman is going to be to play within the system,” said Phil Longo, the UNC offensive coordinator, “and play within his own ability and make some good decisions. … The objective this week is to manage the game and distribute the football to the athletes that we have and not try to win the game themselves.” 

Senior quarterback Jake Bentley will be under center for the Gamecock offense. He has started 32 games, and he is top-5 in USC career – pass attempts and completions, 610-972; completion percentage, 62.8 percent; career yards passing, 7,385; touchdowns passing, 54; and starting quarterback wins, 19. 

UNC Offensive Line vs. USC Defensive Line 

The South Carolina defensive line is as good as it’s been since Houston Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney wreaked havoc on offenses earlier this decade. Bednarik Award and Outland Trophy Watch List defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw anchors the Gamecocks’ experienced defensive line.

Outside of senior center Nick Polino and senior left tackle Charlie Heck, the Tar Heels are young up front, but UNC junior running back Michael Carter believes the group is as physical as they’ve ever been. South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp is an aggressive defensive play-caller.  With a freshman at quarterback and a young offensive line, Brown expects South Carolina to load the box and blitz. 

“The most important battle on the field will be our offensive line and their defensive line,” Longo said. “That’s probably the biggest matchup of the game for us on Saturday.” 

The Running Backs 

Both teams have high-tempo, run-pass-option offenses with depth at the running back position. Brown and Longo have stated the importance of the running backs in the passing and running game. South Carolina has three senior running backs. UNC nose guard Aaron Crawford described USC as a heavy zone-run team. Establishing the running game will open up short passes to the backs in the flat, and one-on-one matchups for receivers. 

Locating Edwards 

UNC Defensive Coordinator Jay Bateman and Brown both highlighted the threat of Gamecock senior wide receiver Bryan Edwards. Tar Heels senior cornerback Patrice Rene must sit out the first or second half due to his involvement in an on-field scuffle after the final regular-season game against N.C. State last year. Rene’s size matches up the best with the 6-foot-3-inch, 215-pound Edwards.  

Depending on how well UNC stops the run, Bateman may want to consider bracketing Edwards, putting two defenders on him. 

Wrapping Up 

As elementary as it sounds, so many games are lost by defenders not bringing ball carriers to the ground. The limited amount of tackling during the preseason, the anxiousness of a season-opener and a border rivalry game in an NFL Stadium make a recipe for lousy tackling, which leads to back-breaking momentum shifts that should not happen. Limiting these is critical.

Prediction 

South Carolina 24, North Carolina 21

Tune In 

Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. EST at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.

Watch: ESPN 

Local Radio: North Carolina Tar Heels Sports Network 

Satellite Radio: Sirius 121, XM 194 Internet 956

(Feature image courtesy of Landon Bost)