GoHeels Exclusive: Weekly Press Conference Notes

By Pat Games, GoHeels.com

A bowl game might not await the North Carolina football team this season.

But after winning back-to-back games, the latest a 65-10 victory over Western Carolina on Saturday, UNC finally has some momentum heading into its season-finale against N.C. State.

"I think what our team has done, under the circumstances, is play extremely hard," said Larry Fedora during his weekly press conference on Monday. "We're starting to make fewer mistakes. I think a lot of the young guys who are playing are making fewer mistakes, and we're able to overcome the ones we are (making).

"So, we're playing better as a football team right now. And I do like the way we're playing at this point going into this last game."

Here are five others things to note from Fedora's press conference, leading up to Saturday's 3:30 p.m. game at Carter-Finley Stadium.

Smith shines

Jonathan Smith's 28-yard fumble return for a touchdown on Saturday marked the Tar Heels' first since Tim Scott scored on a 10-yard return against Duke in 2014. It was also UNC's first defensive touchdown since facing The Citadel last season.

Smith finished the game with a career-high 11 tackles. And in the performance, he showed the potential he flashed as a freshman last season before succumbing to an injury.

"He's going to be a really good player," Fedora said. "It did slow him down; that's just the nature of the beast. All of these guys who have injuries this year, it's slowing down their development. Every rep you miss is slowing down your development. But Jon's worked really hard to get himself back, and I think he's getting close to that point."

Carney's consistency

Malik Carney forced the fumbled that led to Smith's touchdown, marking yet another stellar play by the defensive lineman this season.

Carney's past six games have been particularly impressive, as he's tallied 33 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, four sacks and two forced fumbles. Through 11 games, he's recorded 5.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss – the most by a Tar Heel in as many games since Kareem Martin and Norkeithus Otis had 19 and 12, respectively, in 2013.

"The thing that's been really good about (him) is that he's been so methodical," said Fedora of Carney. "You know he's going to make plays and he's going to be productive in the game. And he's done it every single week, some a little bit better than others. But if you go back and really look at it, week in and week out he's been consistent on making plays for us."

Elliott's efficiency

For the second time in as many games, Nathan Elliott started at quarterback Saturday. And he continued his steady play.

He completed 18-of-28 passes for 240 yards and four touchdowns, the most by a UNC quarterback since Mitch Trubisky finished with five against Pittsburgh last season. More importantly, Elliott went a second straight game without committing a turnover.

According to Pro Football Focus, Elliott especially excelled on deep passes – defined as those targeted 20-plus yards downfield – going 4-for-5 for 104 yards and two touchdowns. Still, Fedora said there's room for improvement.

"Nobody should think Nathan has arrived because he doesn't think that," Fedora said. "He knows he can get a lot better. He can get a lot better with his decision-making process, his anticipation, his coverage recognition pre-snap and post-snap. But he is getting better in each of those areas. He's going to continue to grow."

Remembering Gio

Saturday's game is the Tar Heels' fifth against N.C. State since snapping their five-year losing streak against the Wolfpack on Giovani Bernard's famed punt return for a touchdown in 2012.

When asked about that play Monday, Fedora called it one of his all-time favorites. He also spoke of the significance of that 43-35 victory for the program, which was then in its first year under Fedora's guidance.

"All those seniors had bought in to what we were doing," he said, "And once they knew they couldn't go to a bowl, they all stuck in here and decided that they wanted to finish their careers here at Carolina. So, it was big for the program, and, yes, it had a lot to do with who we were playing, also. There's no doubt about it."

A tough task

After progressing over the past few weeks, UNC's offensive line will face perhaps its biggest test of the season in attempting to block N.C. State defensive end Bradley Chubb.

One of three finalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award, presented annually to the most outstanding defensive player of the year by the Maxwell Football Club, Chubb ranks sixth nationally in total sacks (10) and second in tackles for loss (24).

"You've got to make sure you know where he's at," Fedora said. "And your tackles, there's not a time where they can take a play off or relax. Because if they do, he's going to make you look really bad."

Players Mentioned

Malik Carney

Nathan Elliott

Jonathan Smith

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