University of North Carolina Athletics
Fedora Preaching Focus On Defense
September 5, 2013 | Football
This week, as the Carolina football team prepares to take on Middle Tennessee after a tough loss in its opening game against South Carolina, coach Larry Fedora wants his players to focus on one thing: doing their jobs.
Against the Gamecocks, just a few big plays given up by the Tar Heel defense were the difference in the game. Those plays, Fedora said, could have been stopped if the defenders hadn't abandoned their roles.
"Whatever my job is on this play, it's just making sure that I take care of my job. All I have to do is whatever my job is on this play within the scheme, just do it," Fedora said. "If all 11 guys do their job, then you're in good shape. When you don't, you subject yourself to big plays."
Fedora also pointed to the talented offense of Middle Tennessee, including playmaking receivers and four-year starting quarterback Logan Kilgore, as challenges for the Tar Heel defense.
Carolina's newest bandit, Norkeithus Otis, was one of the bright spots on the defensive side of the ball in Columbia.
Otis, who had an encouraging performance last week at a position that plagued the UNC staff in 2012, is still not satisfied with himself despite his five tackles, including two for loss and a sack.
"I think I did okay, but I feel like I could've given a lot more effort on some plays, if I had been here or been there, just small stuff," Otis said.
Along with erasing big plays, Otis said that the similarities between the Middle Tennessee up-tempo offense and Fedora's offensive philosophy would give the defense an advantage this weekend.
"If (Middle Tennessee) feels like they can go hurry-up, that's fine with the defense because we practice that every day," Otis said. "That's big for us."
Even with the slow start, associate head coach for defensive Vic Koenning is encouraged by the progress the UNC defense is making.
He was impressed with the consistent effort the defense showed, something that he did not see as much of in 2012. But he knows there's still more to do.
"We played as hard as we could play, we had less poor effort plays than we've ever had," Koenning said. "Guys aren't perfect, but they're pretty good. We just have to build on that. We've got to be better."
Despite opening the college football season with a loss and plenty of questions remaining on defense, Otis said his teammates are concentrating on doing their jobs and moving forward.
"Middle Tennessee is our new focus," Otis said. "If we focus and do the things we're supposed to do, hopefully we'll come out with a win."
