Fedora Press Conference Notes

By Pat James, GoHeels.com

About this time a year ago, the North Carolina football team sat at 7-2, having won 18 of its past 23 games and claimed the ACC Coastal Division title in 2015.

But with Saturday's 20-14 loss against Virginia, the Tar Heels are 1-6 on the season and have won two of their last 11 games. Asked during his weekly press conference Monday what has led to his team's recent skid, Larry Fedora said he couldn't quite explain it.

"We're just not making enough plays to come out on top," Fedora said. "I think there's been some games where our defense has put us in position to win a football game and offensively we haven't been able to get it done. Special teams-wise, we've been very solid, we've been good in some areas, but we've just been OK.

"There's a lot of factors involved. I don't know if I can put my finger on just one."

Here are five more notes from Monday's press conference, leading up to Saturday's 3:30 p.m. game at Virginia Tech.

Costly catastrophics

Although the defense has seemingly improved each week, the unit continues to be plagued by catastrophic plays.

One of those came in the fourth quarter Saturday, when Virginia's Kurt Benkert and Olamide Zaccheaus connected for an 81-yard touchdown pass that handed the Cavaliers the lead for good. UNC, which led the ACC in fewest passing plays allowed of 20-plus yards (34) last season, has surrendered 22 through seven games.

"That's the glaring spot on the defense right now," Fedora said. "It's just a mentality of not assuming the guy who is supposed to make the play is going to make the play. You can't assume that. You've got to fly to the ball and you've got to want to make that play."

An encouraging performance

For just the third time this season and first time since the win over Old Dominion on Sept. 16, the Tar Heels rushed for more than 200 yards Saturday, finishing the game with 211.

Michael Carter led the rushing attack. His 157 rushing yards marked the most by a Tar Heel since Elijah Hood amassed 168 against Georgia Tech on Sept. 30, 2016 – a byproduct of improved blocking and communication along the offensive line.

"When we hatted up people, we moved people and our running backs made plays," Fedora said. "We can do that. That's the bright spot is to know, 'If you just do your job, we can make big plays.'"

Another start for Harris?

After attempting just three passes across two games since coming off the bench against Louisville on Sept. 9, Brandon Harris received the start Saturday. He completed 7-of-18 passes for 46 yards and three interceptions. He also rushed for 25 yards on 10 carries.

"I thought probably about 90 percent of the time his decision making was good," Fedora said. "And I'm not just talking about in the passing game. I'm talking about in the run game when we ask him to make decisions on whether he's giving, pulling, all of those things."

Fedora said Harris and Chazz Surratt will continue splitting reps during practice this week. A starter for Saturday's visit to Virginia Tech will then be determined.

'The heart and soul of everybody'

With his seventh and eighth pass breakups of the season on Saturday, M.J. Stewart has 37 in his career, moving him past Michael Waddell and into second place in program history.

Stewart, who is three pass breakups shy of tying Robert Williams' school record of 40, could have left UNC for the NFL Draft after last season. But he stayed and has thrived in an expanded leadership role.

"I'd say he's kind of the heart and soul of everybody right now," Fedora said. "He's the guy who is the leader. He's the guy who's the one making sure that everybody's staying positive, everybody's staying together.

"He's doing a tremendous job, besides the point that he's playing, probably averaging over 90 snaps a game."

Another dual-threat quarterback

When Virginia Tech defeated the Tar Heels 34-3 last season in Chapel Hill, it was led by quarterback Jerod Evans, who threw for two touchdowns and ran for another.

Evans is no longer with the Hokies, having left for the NFL. But UNC will still face the challenge of defending a dual-threat quarterback in redshirt freshman Josh Jackson, who ranks 23rd nationally with 1,700 passing yards and has rushed for 154.

"He's done a heck of a job …" Fedora said. "They've done a really good job with the kid, and I think they've discovered what he can do and got some good surrounding talent around him. And they're taking advantage of it."

Players Mentioned

Michael Carter

Brandon Harris

Elijah Hood

M.J. Stewart

Chazz Surratt

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