GAME PREVIEW: NORTH CAROLINA
BY ANDREW OWENS
T
he story in Chapel Hill, N.C.,
would revolve around the Tar
Heels' explosive offense if not
for a defense that ranked third to
last in the nation in points allowed per
game (44.0) through four contests.
Preseason optimism for North Caro‑
lina in a weak ACC Coastal Division
has given way to doubts about a de‑
fense and, in particular, its secondary.
After slipping past San Diego State
31‑27, the Tar Heels surrendered a com‑
bined 120 points the next two weeks
in losses to East Carolina (70‑41) and
Clemson (50‑35).
"They seem to give up big plays,
that's the main thing," said Andrew
Carter, who covers the Tar Heels for The
Raleigh News & Observer. "They play
well in stretches defensively, and some
parts of that Clemson game were the
best they've played defensively all year.
On Their
(
Tar
)
Heels
Preseason optimism has taken
a hit at North Carolina because
of a defense allowing high point
totals nearly every week
Redshirt junior quarterback Marquise Williams
directs an offense that averaged 40.8 points per
game through four contests, but the Tar Heels
were only 2-2 due to a defense that yielded 44.0
points per outing.
PHOTO BY JEFFREY CAMARATI
