University of North Carolina Athletics
Reactions: Carolina 28, Virginia 27
October 25, 2014 | Football
1. Saturday was a textbook example of coaching decisions looking genius when they work and not quite as smart when they don't. Having Mitch Trubisky throw a pass on his only play of the game went completely against the book--with Marquise Williams out because of the NCAA helmet rule, the conservative play was to run it up the middle, just long enough to get Williams back in the game. Instead, Trubisky found T.J. Thorpe for a 16-yard touchdown and what ended up being the decisive score. That would have been enough gambling just by itself.
Not content to stop there, however, Larry Fedora went with an onside kick, which the Tar Heels recovered and eventually burned enough clock to claim the win. If that kick is recovered by the Wahoos, Fedora is getting skewered and the 'Hoos are on a short field. Instead, it came close to clinching a key road win.
2. Some of us still think of Charlottesville as a place that's impossible for the Tar Heels to win. That's what happens when you go 0-for-almost-3-decades there. But Carolina has quietly taken complete control of the series against the Cavaliers, now winning five games in a row and three straight at Virginia.
3. Marquise Williams' total yardage numbers are absurd when you consider that he really hasn't even been the acknowledged starting quarterback for more than a handful of games in his Tar Heel career. Williams took over for an injured Bryn Renner last year, then was in a battle with Mitch Trubisky this year until winning that fight decisively. Through it all, he's piled up 5,079 yards, more than the legendary Charlie Justice and 419 short of Jason Stanicek.
4. Mack Hollins is going to play football in the NFL. He can make spectacular plays at wide receiver, and he hauled in two scores to go with his 120 yards receiving. But what will always keep him a place on a pro roster is his willingness to also contribute on special teams. After being shut out as a receiver in the second half, it was Hollins who came up with the recovery on the onside kick in the fourth quarter.
5. It's still true, even if it's still a little hard to believe: the 4-4 Tar Heels still control their own destiny in the Coastal Division, with what looks like a tough road showdown at Miami looming next weekend.
