University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heel Run Defense Will Be Tested
September 5, 2014 | Football
Carolina was able to get some young defensive linemen some experience on Saturday against Liberty at a position of need, with snaps for three different true freshmen.
Tomorrow against San Diego State, those same players will be expected to quickly mature and help control an Aztec ground attack that piled up 194 rushing yards in its season-opening win over Northern Arizona.
The key for SDSU is running back Donnel Pumphrey, who rushed for 111 yards and two touchdowns. A member of the Doak Walker Watch List, the sophomore was one of only two freshmen in America in 2013 who collected at least 750 rushing yards and 230 receiving yards. Coming into the season, 21.2 percent of Pumphrey's career touches resulted in a gain of at least ten yards. Clearing holes for him is an offensive line that impressed Northern Arizona head coach Jerome Souers.
"Their physicality on the offensive line created some problems for us," Souers said. "They ran the ball effectively, they had a nice screen game and play-action package. It presents problems for a defense."
Physicality is especially a problem for a Carolina defense--and especially a defensive line--that is trying to identify its playmakers. Liberty collected a respectable 3.8 yards per rush in the season opener, as the Tar Heels search for the right combination along the line.
"It wasn't just, 'Let's throw some freshmen out there and see how they can do,'" Larry Fedora said after the win. "We know they're going to help this team win, so they're going to have to get as many reps as they can. Tyler Powell did some really nice things inside, Nazair Jones that played inside, Dajaun Drennon played really well, [Cayson] Collins caused a fumble there at one point. It was good to see Tyrell Tomlin come off the edge in the money package. There were some really good things that were happening with those young guys even though they weren't perfect."
Especially given the fast Tar Heel tempo on offense, it's imperative for the defense to avoid allowing San Diego State multiple long, clock-eating drives with the Aztecs chewing up yards on the ground.
