University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
GoHeels Exclusive: Monday Press Conference Notes
October 3, 2017 | Football, Featured Writers
By Pat James, GoHeels.com
CHAPEL HILL --- With the North Carolina football team lacking experience and health at the skill positions, the Tar Heels rank 79th nationally in total offense, averaging 395.2 yards per game.
And because of how depleted the offense is, Fedora said during Monday's weekly press conference that he and his offensive coaching staff have been forced to construct a game plan that remains effective but isn't intricate.
"Any time you're putting together a game plan, it doesn't matter whether you've got all 11 starters and they're all seniors," Fedora said. "You're always trying to decide how much to do and you're always trying to figure out what is the lowest common denominator and let's not do more than that being can handle for us to be effective.
"When you start changing out a lot of personnel and you've got multiple issues that you have to deal with, you start paring it down. And then you start thinking we don't have enough. But it doesn't matter. If you don't execute what you have, you're not going to have success anyway."
Here are five other notes from the press conference, leading up to Saturday's 3:30 p.m. home game against No. 21 Notre Dame.
Surratt's long-term development
Playing in just his fifth game, Chazz Surratt completed 18 of 30 passes for 141 yards in Saturday's 33-7 loss at Georgia Tech. He also threw an interception, his second in as many games after not tossing one in his first three games.
"It was not his best game, but he's still progressing," Fedora said. "We'd love to have that ball back he threw on the pick, and he threw a couple others that could have been picked off. So, we've got to make sure we keep putting him in positions where he's making good decisions."
As Surratt progresses through his career, this season could prove crucial as a learning experience. But Fedora said Surratt's long-term development isn't a concern at this point.
"I'm not thinking about down the road with him," Fedora said. "All I'm doing is trying to make sure we have a plan in place that he can execute for this week. That's it. I'm not looking at long-term development. Long-term development will come over the long haul, over all the banked reps and the things that happen in a game."
Applying pressure
After recording just three sacks through the first two games, UNC's defense has eight over its past three, including six total against Duke and Georgia Tech.
The Tar Heels finished with 25 sacks last season, averaging 1.9 per game. They have 11 through five games this season, averaging 2.2 per game and 2.7 over their past three.
"I think our guys are getting better in those areas," said Fedora of the defensive front applying pressure. "And when we do and we're able to pressure, they feel more comfortable and they're getting home."
A weapon in the passing game
For the second time in five games, Jordon Brown led UNC with nine receptions in Saturday's loss.
Brown has hauled in a team-best 20 receptions for 125 yards on the season. Of the 12 different Tar Heels this century who have recorded 20 or more receptions in the team's first five games, Brown is the only running back.
Averaging four catches per game, Brown is on pace for 48 this season, which would be the most by a UNC running back since Leon Johnson registered 54 in 1995.
"It's something we've wanted to be able to do, to utilize those backs," Fedora said. "Some of those are checkdowns that the quarterback knows, 'You know what, if it's not all there I can check it down to the back and he's got a chance to make a play if I give him a good ball.' That's what's Jordon's doing."
Trubisky's first NFL start
With Chicago Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky expected to make his first career start against the Minnesota Vikings on Oct. 9, Fedora was asked Monday if he's spoke with Trubisky since the NFL regular season began.
"Yeah, I've talked to him," Fedora said. "But I haven't talked to him since they announced he's going to be starting. He's been wanting to be the starter since the day he left here. I'm sure he's excited.
"I've got a feeling who he'll be. He'll be Mitch Trubisky. He'll be the same level-headed guy who he always is and he'll prepare himself and be ready to go."
Fedora said he likely won't be able to watch the Bears' game because he'll be game planning for the Tar Heels' game against Virginia on Oct. 14.
Defending the Fighting Irish
After allowing 403 rushing yards against Georgia Tech's triple-option offense Saturday, the Tar Heels will face another stiff challenge in defending Notre Dame's rushing attack.
The Fighting Irish rank seventh nationally in rushing offense, averaging 301.4 yards. They're led by running back Josh Adams, whose 658 rushing yards are the fourth-most in the country, and quarterback Brandon Wimbush, who has rushed for 402 yards and eight touchdowns.
"They've been very effective running the ball," Fedora said. "They've got to be doing a great job up front, the running backs have been very, very productive and that quarterback can run – he's a big guy who can run. They're going to run the football and play-action pass you."
CHAPEL HILL --- With the North Carolina football team lacking experience and health at the skill positions, the Tar Heels rank 79th nationally in total offense, averaging 395.2 yards per game.
And because of how depleted the offense is, Fedora said during Monday's weekly press conference that he and his offensive coaching staff have been forced to construct a game plan that remains effective but isn't intricate.
"Any time you're putting together a game plan, it doesn't matter whether you've got all 11 starters and they're all seniors," Fedora said. "You're always trying to decide how much to do and you're always trying to figure out what is the lowest common denominator and let's not do more than that being can handle for us to be effective.
"When you start changing out a lot of personnel and you've got multiple issues that you have to deal with, you start paring it down. And then you start thinking we don't have enough. But it doesn't matter. If you don't execute what you have, you're not going to have success anyway."
Here are five other notes from the press conference, leading up to Saturday's 3:30 p.m. home game against No. 21 Notre Dame.
Surratt's long-term development
Playing in just his fifth game, Chazz Surratt completed 18 of 30 passes for 141 yards in Saturday's 33-7 loss at Georgia Tech. He also threw an interception, his second in as many games after not tossing one in his first three games.
"It was not his best game, but he's still progressing," Fedora said. "We'd love to have that ball back he threw on the pick, and he threw a couple others that could have been picked off. So, we've got to make sure we keep putting him in positions where he's making good decisions."
As Surratt progresses through his career, this season could prove crucial as a learning experience. But Fedora said Surratt's long-term development isn't a concern at this point.
"I'm not thinking about down the road with him," Fedora said. "All I'm doing is trying to make sure we have a plan in place that he can execute for this week. That's it. I'm not looking at long-term development. Long-term development will come over the long haul, over all the banked reps and the things that happen in a game."
Applying pressure
After recording just three sacks through the first two games, UNC's defense has eight over its past three, including six total against Duke and Georgia Tech.
The Tar Heels finished with 25 sacks last season, averaging 1.9 per game. They have 11 through five games this season, averaging 2.2 per game and 2.7 over their past three.
"I think our guys are getting better in those areas," said Fedora of the defensive front applying pressure. "And when we do and we're able to pressure, they feel more comfortable and they're getting home."
A weapon in the passing game
For the second time in five games, Jordon Brown led UNC with nine receptions in Saturday's loss.
Brown has hauled in a team-best 20 receptions for 125 yards on the season. Of the 12 different Tar Heels this century who have recorded 20 or more receptions in the team's first five games, Brown is the only running back.
Averaging four catches per game, Brown is on pace for 48 this season, which would be the most by a UNC running back since Leon Johnson registered 54 in 1995.
"It's something we've wanted to be able to do, to utilize those backs," Fedora said. "Some of those are checkdowns that the quarterback knows, 'You know what, if it's not all there I can check it down to the back and he's got a chance to make a play if I give him a good ball.' That's what's Jordon's doing."
Trubisky's first NFL start
With Chicago Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky expected to make his first career start against the Minnesota Vikings on Oct. 9, Fedora was asked Monday if he's spoke with Trubisky since the NFL regular season began.
"Yeah, I've talked to him," Fedora said. "But I haven't talked to him since they announced he's going to be starting. He's been wanting to be the starter since the day he left here. I'm sure he's excited.
"I've got a feeling who he'll be. He'll be Mitch Trubisky. He'll be the same level-headed guy who he always is and he'll prepare himself and be ready to go."
Fedora said he likely won't be able to watch the Bears' game because he'll be game planning for the Tar Heels' game against Virginia on Oct. 14.
Defending the Fighting Irish
After allowing 403 rushing yards against Georgia Tech's triple-option offense Saturday, the Tar Heels will face another stiff challenge in defending Notre Dame's rushing attack.
The Fighting Irish rank seventh nationally in rushing offense, averaging 301.4 yards. They're led by running back Josh Adams, whose 658 rushing yards are the fourth-most in the country, and quarterback Brandon Wimbush, who has rushed for 402 yards and eight touchdowns.
"They've been very effective running the ball," Fedora said. "They've got to be doing a great job up front, the running backs have been very, very productive and that quarterback can run – he's a big guy who can run. They're going to run the football and play-action pass you."
Players Mentioned
Tailback
/ Football
Quarterback
/ Football
Quarterback
/ FootballCarolina Women's Basketball 2025-26 | Episode 5 - “The Most Dangerous Team”
Tuesday, March 17
MBB: Hubert Davis Pre-NCAA Tournament Press Conference
Tuesday, March 17
WBB: Courtney Banghart Pre-NCAA Tournament Availability
Monday, March 16
UNC Baseball: Diamond Heels Sweep Series at Cal with 10-2 Win
Monday, March 16