Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
GoHeels Exclusive: Tuesday Football Notebook
September 25, 2018 | Football, Featured Writers
By Pat James, GoHeels.com
With only five days between Saturday's win over Pittsburgh and Thursday's game at Miami, the North Carolina football team practiced Monday, typically an off day. Afterward, Larry Fedora and a few players met with reporters to talk about the Hurricanes, the offensive line and more.
Here are five notes from the availability:
A unique week
UNC's game at Miami is the 18th Thursday night ESPN football game in school history. The Tar Heels are 9-8 in the previous 17 and have won three of their last five, the most recent being a 34-31 victory at Pittsburgh on Nov. 9, 2017.
The quick turnaround from Saturday to Thursday presents some challenges. But none the coaching staff hasn't prepared for.
"We've had a Thursday night game every year we've been here, so we've got a very consistent plan, a good plan," Fedora said. "Our guys feel comfortable with it. It's just about making sure we get the game plan in and get those guys recovered as quickly as possible."
Carolina will practice again Tuesday before leaving for Miami on Wednesday.
Offensive line keeps improving
After struggling to execute in the season opener at California, UNC's offensive line appears to be rounding into shape.
The unit controlled the line of scrimmage in Saturday's win against Pittsburgh, creating holes for the Tar Heels' running backs and giving Nathan Elliott plenty of time to throw. Subsequently, Carolina rushed for a season-high 173 yards, and Elliott completed 17-of-22 passes for 217 yards and a touchdown when kept clean from pressure, according to Pro Football Focus.
"I think those guys are starting to come together, they're starting to gel a little bit," Fedora said. "And it will be a tremendous test this week because this team lives on tackles for losses and sacks, and they've done a tremendous job of that. So our guys will have to play extremely well to prevent that."
UNC's offensive line has allowed just one sack in three games this season. That's tied for the second-fewest sacks surrendered among FBS teams.
"There is a lot of pride (in that)," Charlie Heck said. "We'd like to keep that down to zero, obviously. But I'd say the protection was good overall (Saturday), and that brings confidence in Nathan, it brings confidence in the receivers, that they're going to run the routes and they're going to have time for Nathan to throw them the ball."
Newsome's development
At Hampton (Va.) High School, Dazz Newsome played both cornerback and receiver. The Tar Heels recruited him as the former. But once Newsome arrived in Chapel Hill before last season, the coaching staff moved him to receiver.
He spent his freshman campaign growing into the position, Fedora said. And Saturday, Newsome showed signs of progression, setting career highs with six catches for 110 yards.
"Last year, he was a true freshman and he was out there playing college football and it didn't come as fast to him," Fedora said. "When you put the ball in his hands, he still made plays. Now he's got a much better feel for how to run routes, how to get open. He's not just running it the way you draw it up the board. Now he's actually a receiver, and he understands it."
Carter's return
After missing Carolina's first two games because of an injury, Michael Carter made his season debut Saturday, rushing for 28 yards and catching four passes for 36 yards and a touchdown.
Carter, from Navarre, Fla., said Monday he wished to return from his injury as soon as possible. But he was also motivated to make it back for the Miami game, his first college game in his home state.
"I'm pumped," Carter said. "I've got a lot of tickets going in this week. I'm excited to go back down to Florida and play in front of my friends and family, all my friends and family. I don't usually get to do that; usually, it's just my parents and my brothers."
Miami's quarterback decision
Quarterback Malik Rosier has started the past 17 games for Miami, including last year's win over the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill. But that streak might come to an end Thursday.
Rosier played the first two series Saturday against Florida International before redshirt freshman N'Kosi Perry took over. Perry completed 17-of-25 passes for 224 yards and three touchdowns, leading the 16th-ranked Hurricanes to a 31-17 win.
Fedora said UNC is preparing for both Rosier and Perry.
"We've played against one of them, so we have a feel for him," Fedora said. "We haven't played against the other, just saw him on tape here recently. He's an extremely athletic kid who can really run, beat you with his legs, throws the ball really well. He adds another dimension to their offense."
With only five days between Saturday's win over Pittsburgh and Thursday's game at Miami, the North Carolina football team practiced Monday, typically an off day. Afterward, Larry Fedora and a few players met with reporters to talk about the Hurricanes, the offensive line and more.
Here are five notes from the availability:
A unique week
UNC's game at Miami is the 18th Thursday night ESPN football game in school history. The Tar Heels are 9-8 in the previous 17 and have won three of their last five, the most recent being a 34-31 victory at Pittsburgh on Nov. 9, 2017.
The quick turnaround from Saturday to Thursday presents some challenges. But none the coaching staff hasn't prepared for.
"We've had a Thursday night game every year we've been here, so we've got a very consistent plan, a good plan," Fedora said. "Our guys feel comfortable with it. It's just about making sure we get the game plan in and get those guys recovered as quickly as possible."
Carolina will practice again Tuesday before leaving for Miami on Wednesday.
Offensive line keeps improving
After struggling to execute in the season opener at California, UNC's offensive line appears to be rounding into shape.
The unit controlled the line of scrimmage in Saturday's win against Pittsburgh, creating holes for the Tar Heels' running backs and giving Nathan Elliott plenty of time to throw. Subsequently, Carolina rushed for a season-high 173 yards, and Elliott completed 17-of-22 passes for 217 yards and a touchdown when kept clean from pressure, according to Pro Football Focus.
"I think those guys are starting to come together, they're starting to gel a little bit," Fedora said. "And it will be a tremendous test this week because this team lives on tackles for losses and sacks, and they've done a tremendous job of that. So our guys will have to play extremely well to prevent that."
UNC's offensive line has allowed just one sack in three games this season. That's tied for the second-fewest sacks surrendered among FBS teams.
"There is a lot of pride (in that)," Charlie Heck said. "We'd like to keep that down to zero, obviously. But I'd say the protection was good overall (Saturday), and that brings confidence in Nathan, it brings confidence in the receivers, that they're going to run the routes and they're going to have time for Nathan to throw them the ball."
Newsome's development
At Hampton (Va.) High School, Dazz Newsome played both cornerback and receiver. The Tar Heels recruited him as the former. But once Newsome arrived in Chapel Hill before last season, the coaching staff moved him to receiver.
He spent his freshman campaign growing into the position, Fedora said. And Saturday, Newsome showed signs of progression, setting career highs with six catches for 110 yards.
"Last year, he was a true freshman and he was out there playing college football and it didn't come as fast to him," Fedora said. "When you put the ball in his hands, he still made plays. Now he's got a much better feel for how to run routes, how to get open. He's not just running it the way you draw it up the board. Now he's actually a receiver, and he understands it."
Carter's return
After missing Carolina's first two games because of an injury, Michael Carter made his season debut Saturday, rushing for 28 yards and catching four passes for 36 yards and a touchdown.
Carter, from Navarre, Fla., said Monday he wished to return from his injury as soon as possible. But he was also motivated to make it back for the Miami game, his first college game in his home state.
"I'm pumped," Carter said. "I've got a lot of tickets going in this week. I'm excited to go back down to Florida and play in front of my friends and family, all my friends and family. I don't usually get to do that; usually, it's just my parents and my brothers."
Miami's quarterback decision
Quarterback Malik Rosier has started the past 17 games for Miami, including last year's win over the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill. But that streak might come to an end Thursday.
Rosier played the first two series Saturday against Florida International before redshirt freshman N'Kosi Perry took over. Perry completed 17-of-25 passes for 224 yards and three touchdowns, leading the 16th-ranked Hurricanes to a 31-17 win.
Fedora said UNC is preparing for both Rosier and Perry.
"We've played against one of them, so we have a feel for him," Fedora said. "We haven't played against the other, just saw him on tape here recently. He's an extremely athletic kid who can really run, beat you with his legs, throws the ball really well. He adds another dimension to their offense."
Players Mentioned
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