University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
GoHeels Exclusive: Midweek Notebook
October 16, 2019 | Football, Featured Writers
By Pat James, GoHeels.com
From two wins a season ago to tied atop the ACC Coastal Division entering Saturday's game at Virginia Tech, most of North Carolina's goals are still attainable through six games.
That's created some extra excitement in the UNC locker room.
"It's hard to put into words," Beau Corrales told reporters on Tuesday. "You can just feel the energy, I guess. We had practices over the bye week last week, and I felt like the energy was some of the best that we've had so far. And then we go into practice today, and it was just another really great practice.
"So, we're starting to string together a bunch of consistent days and a bunch of consistent practices. The energy is up and I think this whole past week, week and a half, has been something to really build off."
Before taking on the Hokies, Corrales, Aaron Crawford and Sam Howell met with reporters on Tuesday evening. Here are three notes from what they had to say:
'One of the most pleasant surprises'
In eight games last season, Corrales caught 18 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns. The junior has already tallied just as many receptions for 213 yards through six games this season, while also hauling in three touchdowns.
On Monday, Mack Brown called Corrales "one of the most pleasant surprises since we've been here" and praised him for how he's overcome being inconsistent in the spring and training camp. Corrales expanded on that.
"They just wanted to see consistency from me," Corrales said, "which I totally get, because there are days when I know I'm at my best, personally, and there are days when I feel like I'm not quite at that level. But it helps when you have guys like Dyami Brown and Antoine Green who are always right there behind me, pushing me to try to reach that level. We're all doing that for each other, so it definitely helps."
At times, Corrales has struggled with drops, which he said have been largely due to a lack of focus. But he said those are easier to move on from now than they used to be.
"That's probably what I feel like was my biggest problem through the spring and the fall is that a lot of times, if I had a drop I would kind of beat myself up a little bit too much on it," he said. "But (Phil) Longo's done a really good job with us of teaching us this don't-blink mentality where if something does go wrong, it doesn't do anyone good to hold your head over it."
Crawford 'ready to attack'
Aaron Crawford was a true freshman when the Tar Heels traveled to Blacksburg, Va., in 2015 and beat Virginia Tech 30-27 to capture the Coastal Division championship. But in its last three games against the Hokies, Carolina is winless, and Crawford hopes to change that.
"Half my high school goes to Virginia Tech," said Crawford, from Ashburn, Va. "So, the last few years, it's been different going home and seeing them, good friends and everything like that. They can talk a little more than I'd like. Our goal is to not allow that to happen."
Last season's meeting with Virginia Tech marked one of only two games Crawford played in after sustaining a preseason knee injury. In his return this season, the nose tackle has recorded 29 tackles, including three sacks. Those numbers match his totals from the 2017 campaign.
"I was trying not to look at it as much," said Crawford of his stats. "My dad actually pointed out that I was doing as well right now as I did in the entire 2017 season. So, it's interesting to look at. But it's (been) six games and we're shooting for eight. So, a little more ways to go. But I'm ready to attack the second half."
Howell capitalizes on time off
In addition to spending the open week resting and recovering, Howell, whose film-study habits have been widely publicized, said he took a step back and tried to learn from the first half of the season.
"I went back through the first six games to just see all the bad decisions I made mentally," he said, "and just try to learn from all of those again."
Howell said there weren't many physical things that he needed to fine-tune. But he did work on making sure he keeps his feet calm. And while improving was the priority, he noted the strides he's made since the season began.
"I definitely recognize that," Howell said. "I think I've come so far from when we started this thing back versus South Carolina. That's definitely something we look at and just see what we did and make sure we learn from the mistakes."
From two wins a season ago to tied atop the ACC Coastal Division entering Saturday's game at Virginia Tech, most of North Carolina's goals are still attainable through six games.
That's created some extra excitement in the UNC locker room.
"It's hard to put into words," Beau Corrales told reporters on Tuesday. "You can just feel the energy, I guess. We had practices over the bye week last week, and I felt like the energy was some of the best that we've had so far. And then we go into practice today, and it was just another really great practice.
"So, we're starting to string together a bunch of consistent days and a bunch of consistent practices. The energy is up and I think this whole past week, week and a half, has been something to really build off."
Before taking on the Hokies, Corrales, Aaron Crawford and Sam Howell met with reporters on Tuesday evening. Here are three notes from what they had to say:
'One of the most pleasant surprises'
In eight games last season, Corrales caught 18 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns. The junior has already tallied just as many receptions for 213 yards through six games this season, while also hauling in three touchdowns.
On Monday, Mack Brown called Corrales "one of the most pleasant surprises since we've been here" and praised him for how he's overcome being inconsistent in the spring and training camp. Corrales expanded on that.
"They just wanted to see consistency from me," Corrales said, "which I totally get, because there are days when I know I'm at my best, personally, and there are days when I feel like I'm not quite at that level. But it helps when you have guys like Dyami Brown and Antoine Green who are always right there behind me, pushing me to try to reach that level. We're all doing that for each other, so it definitely helps."
At times, Corrales has struggled with drops, which he said have been largely due to a lack of focus. But he said those are easier to move on from now than they used to be.
"That's probably what I feel like was my biggest problem through the spring and the fall is that a lot of times, if I had a drop I would kind of beat myself up a little bit too much on it," he said. "But (Phil) Longo's done a really good job with us of teaching us this don't-blink mentality where if something does go wrong, it doesn't do anyone good to hold your head over it."
Crawford 'ready to attack'
Aaron Crawford was a true freshman when the Tar Heels traveled to Blacksburg, Va., in 2015 and beat Virginia Tech 30-27 to capture the Coastal Division championship. But in its last three games against the Hokies, Carolina is winless, and Crawford hopes to change that.
"Half my high school goes to Virginia Tech," said Crawford, from Ashburn, Va. "So, the last few years, it's been different going home and seeing them, good friends and everything like that. They can talk a little more than I'd like. Our goal is to not allow that to happen."
Last season's meeting with Virginia Tech marked one of only two games Crawford played in after sustaining a preseason knee injury. In his return this season, the nose tackle has recorded 29 tackles, including three sacks. Those numbers match his totals from the 2017 campaign.
"I was trying not to look at it as much," said Crawford of his stats. "My dad actually pointed out that I was doing as well right now as I did in the entire 2017 season. So, it's interesting to look at. But it's (been) six games and we're shooting for eight. So, a little more ways to go. But I'm ready to attack the second half."
Howell capitalizes on time off
In addition to spending the open week resting and recovering, Howell, whose film-study habits have been widely publicized, said he took a step back and tried to learn from the first half of the season.
"I went back through the first six games to just see all the bad decisions I made mentally," he said, "and just try to learn from all of those again."
Howell said there weren't many physical things that he needed to fine-tune. But he did work on making sure he keeps his feet calm. And while improving was the priority, he noted the strides he's made since the season began.
"I definitely recognize that," Howell said. "I think I've come so far from when we started this thing back versus South Carolina. That's definitely something we look at and just see what we did and make sure we learn from the mistakes."
Players Mentioned
Wide Receiver
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Wide Receiver
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Defensive Line
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Wide Receiver
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Quarterback
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