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A repeat performance of Week 2 will help UNC beat Richmond on Saturday.
I don’t know if the North Carolina Tar Heels read my Week 2 defensive keys to victory, but they played much better in their 20-3 victory at Charlotte.
UNC’s (1-1) win last Saturday gave Bill Belichick the first of his collegiate coaching career, something much-needed after a Week 1 dud against TCU. The Horned Frogs (1-0) shredded North Carolina’s defense on Labor Day, collecting 542 yards and picking up first downs on seemingly every play.
The Tar Heels limited the 49ers to just 271 yards in Week 2, including a meager 21 yards on the ground. UNC notched its first sack, thanks to linebacker Andrew Simpson, while pressure forced Charlotte quarterback (and North Carolina transfer) Conner Harrell to make bad decisions.
Returning to Chapel Hill for this coming Saturday’s matchup, the Tar Heels will host a 1-1 Richmond Spiders team at 3:30 p.m. Richmond has just 453 yards through two games, which isn’t impressive but also isn’t terrible, so the hope is UNC will have an easier time against its incoming FCS opponent.
If there’s one thing we know about North Carolina football, it’s that FCS opponents tend to hang around longer than expected. Just look at last year’s NC Central matchup, which the Tar Heels didn’t pull away in until late. If the Spiders are close at halftime this weekend, expect Bill Belichick to replace his starters.
Richmond is no slouch, making three consecutive FCF Playoff appearances. If UNC wants to walk away with its second-straight victory, here are the defensive keys we’re looking at.
Contain Kyle Wickersham
Richmond’s quarterback is a dual-threat, just like Gio Lopez, making him tougher to gameplan for. In Richmond’s 14-10 comeback win over Wofford last Saturday, Wickersham threw for 153 yards and a touchdown, while leading his team with 78 rushing yards and another score.
North Carolina needs to read Wickersham’s passes well, while also being prepared for runs at any moment. Running a QB contain, where there’s a defender who can switch between pass and run defense at any moment, is a great way to slow down Wickersham.
Force turnovers early
When Charlotte threatened late, the Tar Heels forced turnovers, thanks to Greg Smith and Malcolm Ziglar’s intercepting passes from Duke transfer Grayson Loftis.
It doesn’t really matter when UNC forces turnovers on Saturday, but if players can do so early, it creates a golden opportunity to generate early momentum.
Generate more pressure
Going from no sacks in Week 1, to one sack in Week 2, is a solid improvement. North Carolina showed how dangerous its defense can be at Charlotte, forcing Harrell and Loftis to deliver uncomfortable throws.
The Tar Heels have talent across their defense, but Simpson is the only one to take down a quarterback. If UNC can sack Wickersham at least twice on Saturday, it’ll head back into the postgame locker room with a second-straight win.
Continue rotating players to showcase depth
For the second-consecutive game, North Carolina had a different leading tackler. At Charlotte, both linebacker Mikai Gbayor and defensive back Gavin Gibson shared that honor, recording six tackles. Against TCU, Simpson led the way. D’Antre Robinson anchored the Tar Heels’ defensive line, generating two quarterback hurries and a tackle for loss.
UNC doesn’t need a star on defense, just guys that prove worthy of earning minutes on the football field. North Carolina’s depth was on full display at Charlotte.
If the Tar Heels continue to find guys who can produce defensively, there’ll be plenty of rotation against Richmond – and hopefully a victory.
Down ballcarriers at first contact
UNC didn’t let the 49ers run much after catches – or let ballcarriers burst into the secondary. The same can’t be said for Week 1 against TCU.
North Carolina won’t have to deal with as much starpower on Richmond’s roster, but defenders can’t overlook their FCS opponent.
The Tar Heels need to tackle upon first contract and, when they miss, have teammates ready to back them up. If UNC can do this, a Week 3 victory is coming.
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