University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: Andy Mead
Lucas: Georgia State Rapid Reactions
September 11, 2021 | Football, Featured Writers, Adam Lucas
Quick takeaways from the 2021 home opener.
By Adam Lucas
1. Carolina got what it needed in Saturday night's 59-17 home opening win over Georgia State. The Tar Heels got a win, most importantly. They showed some improvement from last week's loss to Virginia Tech but weren't perfect, which means Mack Brown will have plenty of points to emphasize this week in advance of what is shaping up to be an enormous early-season home meeting with Virginia. "We started to get some identity tonight," Brown told Jones Angell on the Tar Heel Sports Network after the game. "It was a complete team win and showed some progress for us moving forward."
2. Sam Howell, dual-threat quarterback? The Tar Heel junior was terrific on Saturday, putting together a relatively normal (for him) 21-for-29 performance for 352 yards and three scores. He showed the ability to make virtually every kind of throw, from gorgeous deep balls to a nice back shoulder toss to Emery Simmons. But what was a little different was how much work Howell did with his legs, as he ran 11 times for 104 yards and two touchdowns. He's the first Tar Heel quarterback ever to throw for more than 350 and run for more than 100 in the same game.Â
3. Carolina's offensive line, which has been the topic of much discussion this week, played without Joshua Ezeudu on Saturday, meaning through two games Brown has yet to see the actual offensive line he was hoping to put on the field.
4. Someone who knows a little something about offensive line play, Jeff Saturday, was at the game and was honored for being a Kenan Legend and for his family's generous donation to The Rams Club. The offensive line room will be named for his family, another example of the way the Tar Heels continue to include former players in the program. Mack Brown walked all the way down to the five-yard line to give Saturday a hug when the alum was honored.
5. Also nice to see Lawrence Taylor back in Chapel Hill. The pass-rushing great makes infrequent visits to town, but is always a huge fan favorite when he does appear.
6. Two young pass-catchers who looked like names to watch after Saturday's performance: tight end Kamari Morales, who caught four balls for 42 yards, and Bryson Nesbit, whose 47-yard scoring catch in the fourth quarter was the first tangible sign of a talent the Tar Heels are excited about. The tight end position could be a position of strength with significant depth very soon.
7. Speaking of receivers, Josh Downs continues to be excellent and hauled in eight catches for 73 yards and a touchdown. And Antoine Green caught a high degree of difficulty bomb from Howell on his fingertips in the first half. You left Saturday night feeling better about the Tar Heel receiving corps than last weekend.
8. Carolina is looking for playmakers along the defensive line. Sophomore Myles Murphy showed some potential in that category, notching a sack and two tackles for loss. That was the only sack the Tar Heels recorded, an area that needs to improve.
9. The Carolina football game experience is a constantly evolving product. The Tar Heels continue to tweak the team entrance (the blue smoke was a nice touch) and some other aspects are still developing. But there's one element of Saturday in Kenan Stadium that should never, ever be changed: the pre-fourth quarter highlight montage/dance party. Most importantly, the players have fun with it, and because of that, so does the crowd. It's a keeper.
10. Next Saturday's 7 p.m. kickoff promises to be electric. With some tickets returned from the Cavaliers, the once-sold out game now again has tickets available. You'll want to be in Kenan Stadium for that one. "It was great to have our fans back," Brown said on the THSN. "The student body was unbelievable. They were fantastic throughout the game. I can't wait to see it full next week against Virginia."
11. A final word from Mack Brown: "There's so much joy in winning. Everybody got to play, and everybody's happy."
1. Carolina got what it needed in Saturday night's 59-17 home opening win over Georgia State. The Tar Heels got a win, most importantly. They showed some improvement from last week's loss to Virginia Tech but weren't perfect, which means Mack Brown will have plenty of points to emphasize this week in advance of what is shaping up to be an enormous early-season home meeting with Virginia. "We started to get some identity tonight," Brown told Jones Angell on the Tar Heel Sports Network after the game. "It was a complete team win and showed some progress for us moving forward."
2. Sam Howell, dual-threat quarterback? The Tar Heel junior was terrific on Saturday, putting together a relatively normal (for him) 21-for-29 performance for 352 yards and three scores. He showed the ability to make virtually every kind of throw, from gorgeous deep balls to a nice back shoulder toss to Emery Simmons. But what was a little different was how much work Howell did with his legs, as he ran 11 times for 104 yards and two touchdowns. He's the first Tar Heel quarterback ever to throw for more than 350 and run for more than 100 in the same game.Â
3. Carolina's offensive line, which has been the topic of much discussion this week, played without Joshua Ezeudu on Saturday, meaning through two games Brown has yet to see the actual offensive line he was hoping to put on the field.
4. Someone who knows a little something about offensive line play, Jeff Saturday, was at the game and was honored for being a Kenan Legend and for his family's generous donation to The Rams Club. The offensive line room will be named for his family, another example of the way the Tar Heels continue to include former players in the program. Mack Brown walked all the way down to the five-yard line to give Saturday a hug when the alum was honored.
5. Also nice to see Lawrence Taylor back in Chapel Hill. The pass-rushing great makes infrequent visits to town, but is always a huge fan favorite when he does appear.
6. Two young pass-catchers who looked like names to watch after Saturday's performance: tight end Kamari Morales, who caught four balls for 42 yards, and Bryson Nesbit, whose 47-yard scoring catch in the fourth quarter was the first tangible sign of a talent the Tar Heels are excited about. The tight end position could be a position of strength with significant depth very soon.
7. Speaking of receivers, Josh Downs continues to be excellent and hauled in eight catches for 73 yards and a touchdown. And Antoine Green caught a high degree of difficulty bomb from Howell on his fingertips in the first half. You left Saturday night feeling better about the Tar Heel receiving corps than last weekend.
8. Carolina is looking for playmakers along the defensive line. Sophomore Myles Murphy showed some potential in that category, notching a sack and two tackles for loss. That was the only sack the Tar Heels recorded, an area that needs to improve.
9. The Carolina football game experience is a constantly evolving product. The Tar Heels continue to tweak the team entrance (the blue smoke was a nice touch) and some other aspects are still developing. But there's one element of Saturday in Kenan Stadium that should never, ever be changed: the pre-fourth quarter highlight montage/dance party. Most importantly, the players have fun with it, and because of that, so does the crowd. It's a keeper.
10. Next Saturday's 7 p.m. kickoff promises to be electric. With some tickets returned from the Cavaliers, the once-sold out game now again has tickets available. You'll want to be in Kenan Stadium for that one. "It was great to have our fans back," Brown said on the THSN. "The student body was unbelievable. They were fantastic throughout the game. I can't wait to see it full next week against Virginia."
11. A final word from Mack Brown: "There's so much joy in winning. Everybody got to play, and everybody's happy."
Players Mentioned
Wide Receiver
/ Football
Offensive Line
/ Football
Wide Receiver
/ Football
Quarterback
/ Football
Tight End
/ Football
Defensive Line
/ Football
Tight End
/ FootballUNC Women's Soccer: Heels Wrap Regular Season with 1-0 Win vs NC State
Friday, October 31
WBB: Post-South Carolina Press Conference - Oct. 30, 2025
Friday, October 31
Carolina Insider - Olympic Sports Update (Full Segment) - October 30, 2025
Thursday, October 30
Tar Heels in the Community pres. by NC Electric Co-ops - LaxBall 2025 Recap
Thursday, October 30