University of North Carolina Athletics
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Lucas: Orange Bowl Rapid Reactions
January 2, 2021 | Football, Featured Writers, Adam Lucas
Quick takeaways from the Orange Bowl.
By Adam Lucas
1. Texas A&M was exactly as advertised in a 41-27 Orange Bowl win over Carolina. The Aggies were physical, talented, methodical--in general, one of the best teams in the country. That's the level Carolina wants to be playing at on a regular basis...and given the game, the Tar Heels may not be very far away.
2. Carolina spent most of the game playing very well without their two incredible tailbacks, Michael Carter and Javonte Williams. But on the final meaningful offensive drive, the absences bit them, as the Tar Heels couldn't convert second and one (a pass), and then failed on third and one and fourth and two (both runs).
3. Carolina got a very timely instant replay review midway through the third quarter. Facing third and four inside the 10-yard line, it looked like the Tar Heels were going to keep the ball on the ground. But just as the play began to develop, whistles blew so officials could review the previous 12 men on the field penalty against the Aggies. Essentially granted a free timeout (the penalty was upheld), Carolina came back out of the timeout and lined up wide receiver Josh Downs in the backfield, then threw a touchdown pass to him streaking down the right sideline. The touchdown gave the Tar Heels a 20-17 lead with 8:01 left in the third quarter.
4. The great thing about sports: you just never know. Texas A&M had surrendered just four sacks all season. Carolina, a team that was solid but not especially overwhelming rushing the passer this year, recorded two sacks in the first half. The defense finished with three sacks.
5. That was part of an overall very solid defensive effort, although the eye test would suggest the defense was better than the stats might say. Texas A&M had been one of the best teams in the country all season in third down efficiency. The Tar Heels limited them to 5-of-13 in that category. The problem is that two of those conversions came in the fourth quarter, when A&M was 2-for-4.
6. Carolina started the game more committed to the running game than you might have expected given the missing pieces in the offense. But that appeared to be part of the game plan in order to pull the A&M defense a little closer to the line of scrimmage, which opened up the passing game in the second half. Howell had just 66 passing yards in the first half but finished with 234. Carolina's leading rusher was British Brooks, who carried 15 times for 53 yards.
7. Give him credit: Mack Brown is going to be Mack Brown. The Tar Heel head coach has been consistently aggressive in going for it on fourth down over the last two seasons. And even in the Orange Bowl, even without three major offensive weapons, he did it again on the first play of the second quarter, and Carolina rewarded him by picking up a fourth and three. That drive led to a 32-yard Grayson Atkins field goal that cut the Texas A&M lead to 7-6.
8. In the fourth quarter, though, the fourth down luck wasn't as friendly. Brown went for it on fourth and two with just under three minutes remaining, and the Aggies stuffed a Josh Henderson run. Carolina had three timeouts left at that juncture and could have punted and attempted to try and get the ball back. But the Tar Heels felt more confident with the offense controlling the game; it fell a half-yard short. "We didn't feel like we were stopping the running game much at that time, so we felt like that was our best chance to win," Brown said.
9. Another sign of how good the entire program has become: think about how much Carolina has improved since September and October. Defense and special teams were a major area of concern then; both were solid on Saturday.Â
10. Tony Grimes had a sensational Orange Bowl. The true freshman cornerback was all over the field, including chasing down Kellen Mond for a key second half sack. He's going to be a key part of what's shaping up to be very good Carolina defenses in 2021 and 2022.
11. The Tar Heel offense got a little conservative on two early trips into the red zone. Of course, the Tar Heel offense with which we're familiar had significantly more weapons than what they were able to utilize in the bowl game. So it could be that the Carolina coaches thought it was essential to get points--any points--on every trip into scoring territory.
12. Luckily, we won't have to contemplate life without Sam Howell until 2022. When that day arrives, though, we're going to realize how good he was. The fourth quarter touchdown pass to Downs, in which he evaded the rush, directed Downs down the field, and then threw a surgical flick 50 yards in the air, was beautiful.
13. Fitting that Dazz Newsome was Carolina's leading receiver in the Orange Bowl. Newsome hauled in six receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown. Even as the focus of the A&M pass defense, Newsome--who was very vocal about his desire to play in the bowl--had a very good game. "He competed all night long, and I'm really proud of him," Brown said.
14. Playing in place of Chazz Surratt, Eugene Asante led the Tar Heels in tackles with ten. "He showed he's got a chance to be a really good player," Brown said. Of the 17 players who had a tackle for the Tar Heels, 16 will be back next year. The only exception is Tomon Fox, who had a sack in his final game as a Heel. And keep in mind the team's best defensive back for the first part of 2020, Storm Duck, will be back. Duck and Grimes could give Carolina an elite pair of shut-down defensive backs.
15. That's the takeaway from tonight--2021 is very promising. In addition to those defensive returnees, on offense Josh Downs had two touchdowns, Howell will be back, and the offensive line was turning into a team strength by the end of the year and should return completely intact. Carolina is likely to be the Coastal Division favorite, should start the season in the national top 20, and will have incredible recruiting momentum coming off an Orange Bowl appearance and what essentially amounts to two straight nationally televised commercials for Tar Heel football in the final two games. "Thanks for getting us here," Brown said he told the seniors after the game. "We're about to be really good." Notice that change in message from the head coach, who has spent a couple years talking about the building of the program. The tone of his comments suggests some--not all--of the building is complete.
16. This is one of the best times to be a Carolina football fan in the last 25 years. The Tar Heels have essentially been ahead of schedule for two years. Brown began what should be a promising 2021 with the perfect message in the locker room: "I told them I was proud they got us here, and next time we get here we need to win."
1. Texas A&M was exactly as advertised in a 41-27 Orange Bowl win over Carolina. The Aggies were physical, talented, methodical--in general, one of the best teams in the country. That's the level Carolina wants to be playing at on a regular basis...and given the game, the Tar Heels may not be very far away.
2. Carolina spent most of the game playing very well without their two incredible tailbacks, Michael Carter and Javonte Williams. But on the final meaningful offensive drive, the absences bit them, as the Tar Heels couldn't convert second and one (a pass), and then failed on third and one and fourth and two (both runs).
3. Carolina got a very timely instant replay review midway through the third quarter. Facing third and four inside the 10-yard line, it looked like the Tar Heels were going to keep the ball on the ground. But just as the play began to develop, whistles blew so officials could review the previous 12 men on the field penalty against the Aggies. Essentially granted a free timeout (the penalty was upheld), Carolina came back out of the timeout and lined up wide receiver Josh Downs in the backfield, then threw a touchdown pass to him streaking down the right sideline. The touchdown gave the Tar Heels a 20-17 lead with 8:01 left in the third quarter.
4. The great thing about sports: you just never know. Texas A&M had surrendered just four sacks all season. Carolina, a team that was solid but not especially overwhelming rushing the passer this year, recorded two sacks in the first half. The defense finished with three sacks.
5. That was part of an overall very solid defensive effort, although the eye test would suggest the defense was better than the stats might say. Texas A&M had been one of the best teams in the country all season in third down efficiency. The Tar Heels limited them to 5-of-13 in that category. The problem is that two of those conversions came in the fourth quarter, when A&M was 2-for-4.
6. Carolina started the game more committed to the running game than you might have expected given the missing pieces in the offense. But that appeared to be part of the game plan in order to pull the A&M defense a little closer to the line of scrimmage, which opened up the passing game in the second half. Howell had just 66 passing yards in the first half but finished with 234. Carolina's leading rusher was British Brooks, who carried 15 times for 53 yards.
7. Give him credit: Mack Brown is going to be Mack Brown. The Tar Heel head coach has been consistently aggressive in going for it on fourth down over the last two seasons. And even in the Orange Bowl, even without three major offensive weapons, he did it again on the first play of the second quarter, and Carolina rewarded him by picking up a fourth and three. That drive led to a 32-yard Grayson Atkins field goal that cut the Texas A&M lead to 7-6.
8. In the fourth quarter, though, the fourth down luck wasn't as friendly. Brown went for it on fourth and two with just under three minutes remaining, and the Aggies stuffed a Josh Henderson run. Carolina had three timeouts left at that juncture and could have punted and attempted to try and get the ball back. But the Tar Heels felt more confident with the offense controlling the game; it fell a half-yard short. "We didn't feel like we were stopping the running game much at that time, so we felt like that was our best chance to win," Brown said.
9. Another sign of how good the entire program has become: think about how much Carolina has improved since September and October. Defense and special teams were a major area of concern then; both were solid on Saturday.Â
10. Tony Grimes had a sensational Orange Bowl. The true freshman cornerback was all over the field, including chasing down Kellen Mond for a key second half sack. He's going to be a key part of what's shaping up to be very good Carolina defenses in 2021 and 2022.
11. The Tar Heel offense got a little conservative on two early trips into the red zone. Of course, the Tar Heel offense with which we're familiar had significantly more weapons than what they were able to utilize in the bowl game. So it could be that the Carolina coaches thought it was essential to get points--any points--on every trip into scoring territory.
12. Luckily, we won't have to contemplate life without Sam Howell until 2022. When that day arrives, though, we're going to realize how good he was. The fourth quarter touchdown pass to Downs, in which he evaded the rush, directed Downs down the field, and then threw a surgical flick 50 yards in the air, was beautiful.
13. Fitting that Dazz Newsome was Carolina's leading receiver in the Orange Bowl. Newsome hauled in six receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown. Even as the focus of the A&M pass defense, Newsome--who was very vocal about his desire to play in the bowl--had a very good game. "He competed all night long, and I'm really proud of him," Brown said.
14. Playing in place of Chazz Surratt, Eugene Asante led the Tar Heels in tackles with ten. "He showed he's got a chance to be a really good player," Brown said. Of the 17 players who had a tackle for the Tar Heels, 16 will be back next year. The only exception is Tomon Fox, who had a sack in his final game as a Heel. And keep in mind the team's best defensive back for the first part of 2020, Storm Duck, will be back. Duck and Grimes could give Carolina an elite pair of shut-down defensive backs.
15. That's the takeaway from tonight--2021 is very promising. In addition to those defensive returnees, on offense Josh Downs had two touchdowns, Howell will be back, and the offensive line was turning into a team strength by the end of the year and should return completely intact. Carolina is likely to be the Coastal Division favorite, should start the season in the national top 20, and will have incredible recruiting momentum coming off an Orange Bowl appearance and what essentially amounts to two straight nationally televised commercials for Tar Heel football in the final two games. "Thanks for getting us here," Brown said he told the seniors after the game. "We're about to be really good." Notice that change in message from the head coach, who has spent a couple years talking about the building of the program. The tone of his comments suggests some--not all--of the building is complete.
16. This is one of the best times to be a Carolina football fan in the last 25 years. The Tar Heels have essentially been ahead of schedule for two years. Brown began what should be a promising 2021 with the perfect message in the locker room: "I told them I was proud they got us here, and next time we get here we need to win."
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