University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
GoHeels Exclusive: Bye Week Benefits
November 7, 2017 | Football
By Pat James, GoHeels.com
At long last, the bye week finally arrived for the North Carolina football team last week.
The Tar Heels practiced Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Larry Fedora said. But they then received Friday and Saturday off before practicing on Sunday and Monday.
Fedora said he spent Friday recruiting. He then returned home Saturday, when he trimmed shrubs, fixed a toilet and completed about five other tasks on his to-do list before settling in to watch a few football games.
"Saturday was good," Fedora said. "You got to cook some steaks, watch some games, relax and pick up a few things that you think you can add to the offense and defense."
Here are five other notes from Fedora's Monday media availability, his last before UNC faces Pittsburgh at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Heinz Field.
A much-needed break
The Tar Heels' open week came in Week 10 of the college football season. That's the longest they've gone without a bye since the 2012 campaign, when they were also off in Week 10.
Still, because of how depleted UNC's roster is because of injuries, Fedora said his team benefitted from the bye.
"I think they're fresher just because they got some time off," he said. "You go nine weeks and then you go four weeks of camp, that's a long time before you have a bye week and a chance to give those guys a break. It's as much mental as physical."
Offensive strides
Monday marked the first time Fedora spoke with the media since the Tar Heels' 24-19 loss against Miami on Oct. 28. In that game, UNC gained 428 total offensive yards, its most since it totaled 511 in the 53-23 win over Old Dominion on Sept. 16.
"It was better than what it has been, and that's why we had a chance to win," said Fedora of the team's offensive execution. "But when you turn it over four times, you take all of your chances away. We did execute much better in our base stuff; I thought our guys made some steps there. But we still made too many mistakes to win the game."
Quarterback conversation
Although he tossed three interceptions against the Hurricanes, Nathan Elliott played a large part in the Tar Heels' offensive success. He came off the bench in the first quarter and completed 16-of-39 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 79 yards on 21 carries.
But Fedora said Elliott's performance hasn't changed how he and the coaching staff will approach making a decision on Thursday's starting quarterback.
"We really haven't changed what we're doing with those guys," Fedora said. "It's been the same that we started with at the beginning, and then it was, 'Week to week, who is going to give us the best chance? Who is going to practice the best? Who is going to lead the best?' And then decisions were made. We're still in that same mode."
Corralles continues developing
One of the most encouraging performances of the season came from Beau Corrales against Miami. He finished with four receptions for 64 yards and two touchdowns, making him the sixth UNC true freshman to catch two touchdowns in a game since 2000.
Fedora has often spoke this season of how valuable game reps have been for the development of younger players. On Monday, he cited Corrales as proof of that.
"You just see him come along, and he's gotten better and he's gotten more confident in knowing what to do," Fedora said. "He gets an opportunity in that game, and he makes some plays. Same thing with Dazz Newsome. Those guys continue to get better and better. I think the future is really bright for those guys."
Scouting Pittsburgh
The Tar Heels have won four straight games against Pittsburgh, which comes off its bye with victories over Duke and Virginia in its last two games.
In that span, quarterback Ben DiNucci, who has started each of the Panthers' last three games, has completed 18-of-36 passes for 283 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
"I think they've done a good job of taking care of the football," Fedora said. "They run the ball well. A lot of shifting, motioning, trying to get you out-gapped. Defensively, they're going to be really sound always with Pat (Narduzzi's) scheme. They're going to press you up on the corners, get the safeties involved in the run and they're going to threaten you to throw the football."
At long last, the bye week finally arrived for the North Carolina football team last week.
The Tar Heels practiced Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Larry Fedora said. But they then received Friday and Saturday off before practicing on Sunday and Monday.
Fedora said he spent Friday recruiting. He then returned home Saturday, when he trimmed shrubs, fixed a toilet and completed about five other tasks on his to-do list before settling in to watch a few football games.
"Saturday was good," Fedora said. "You got to cook some steaks, watch some games, relax and pick up a few things that you think you can add to the offense and defense."
Here are five other notes from Fedora's Monday media availability, his last before UNC faces Pittsburgh at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Heinz Field.
A much-needed break
The Tar Heels' open week came in Week 10 of the college football season. That's the longest they've gone without a bye since the 2012 campaign, when they were also off in Week 10.
Still, because of how depleted UNC's roster is because of injuries, Fedora said his team benefitted from the bye.
"I think they're fresher just because they got some time off," he said. "You go nine weeks and then you go four weeks of camp, that's a long time before you have a bye week and a chance to give those guys a break. It's as much mental as physical."
Offensive strides
Monday marked the first time Fedora spoke with the media since the Tar Heels' 24-19 loss against Miami on Oct. 28. In that game, UNC gained 428 total offensive yards, its most since it totaled 511 in the 53-23 win over Old Dominion on Sept. 16.
"It was better than what it has been, and that's why we had a chance to win," said Fedora of the team's offensive execution. "But when you turn it over four times, you take all of your chances away. We did execute much better in our base stuff; I thought our guys made some steps there. But we still made too many mistakes to win the game."
Quarterback conversation
Although he tossed three interceptions against the Hurricanes, Nathan Elliott played a large part in the Tar Heels' offensive success. He came off the bench in the first quarter and completed 16-of-39 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 79 yards on 21 carries.
But Fedora said Elliott's performance hasn't changed how he and the coaching staff will approach making a decision on Thursday's starting quarterback.
"We really haven't changed what we're doing with those guys," Fedora said. "It's been the same that we started with at the beginning, and then it was, 'Week to week, who is going to give us the best chance? Who is going to practice the best? Who is going to lead the best?' And then decisions were made. We're still in that same mode."
Corralles continues developing
One of the most encouraging performances of the season came from Beau Corrales against Miami. He finished with four receptions for 64 yards and two touchdowns, making him the sixth UNC true freshman to catch two touchdowns in a game since 2000.
Fedora has often spoke this season of how valuable game reps have been for the development of younger players. On Monday, he cited Corrales as proof of that.
"You just see him come along, and he's gotten better and he's gotten more confident in knowing what to do," Fedora said. "He gets an opportunity in that game, and he makes some plays. Same thing with Dazz Newsome. Those guys continue to get better and better. I think the future is really bright for those guys."
Scouting Pittsburgh
The Tar Heels have won four straight games against Pittsburgh, which comes off its bye with victories over Duke and Virginia in its last two games.
In that span, quarterback Ben DiNucci, who has started each of the Panthers' last three games, has completed 18-of-36 passes for 283 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
"I think they've done a good job of taking care of the football," Fedora said. "They run the ball well. A lot of shifting, motioning, trying to get you out-gapped. Defensively, they're going to be really sound always with Pat (Narduzzi's) scheme. They're going to press you up on the corners, get the safeties involved in the run and they're going to threaten you to throw the football."
Players Mentioned
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Wide Receiver
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