Carolina’s First Victory Raises Questions of Concern

CHAPEL HILL, NC  – A career day by Tar Heel quarterback Nathan Elliot & running back Antonio Williams lift the Tar Heels to a 38-35 win against the University of Pittsburgh Panthers. Elliot went 22-31 passing, for 313 yards and 2 passing touchdowns and Williams rushed 16 times for 114 yards and two touchdowns.

The Tar Heel offense started the game hot, scoring touchdowns on their first 2 possessions of the game, 37-yard and 1-yard touchdown runs by Williams. However, in the 2nd quarter the Tar Heels’ offensive drives were characterized by a fumble, touchdown and three 3-and-out’s. The Tar Heel defense wasn’t much better as they allowed 28 points off 297 yards of total offense.

In the 3rd quarter the tide of the game changed completely as the Tar Heels registered 17 points and held the Panthers to 0 points and negative 5 yards of total offense.

When asked about what the defense did differently after halftime defensive end Tomon Fox said,

“We didn’t really do much differently. The thing is we just had to do our jobs.”

Williams was impressed with what he saw from his teammates today.

“I seen a lot of different things in everybody today. The receivers looked like Carolina receivers. The quarterback looked like…Carolina quarterback and that’s what Carolina Football looks like. Today you seen Carolina Football and that’s what you should see for the rest of the season.”

Still, is the Tar Heel Football played today the style the team should be aiming for?

Even in this win they tied the 1st  (7-7), lost the 2nd (14-21), won the 3rd (17-0) and lost the 4th quarter (0-7). A similar trend was displayed in their first two games as they were shut out in the second half against ECU and allowed 20 points, which led to a 19-41 blowout after only being down 19-21 at halftime. The same can be said with the California game where they scored all 17 of their points in the 2nd half and only lost 17-24.

When asked about what the Tar Heels need to do to put together a complete game, running back Michael Carter said,

“Just execute, all the time. I think we do a good job you know here and there, but if we want to really be great, it’s gonna have to be we do a great job every play.”

The Panthers (2-2, ACC 1-1) travel to the University of Central Florida next Saturday. The Tar Heels have a short week as they travel to Miami, Florida to play the University of Miami next Thursday.

When asked about the mood in the locker room after the game, wide receiver Dazz Newsome said,

“Everybody turnt!”

But should they be?