Paul Austria
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Operating on a short week, the 16th-ranked Miami Hurricanes (3-1) are kicking off their conference schedule against the North Carolina Tar Heels (1-2). In 2017, these teams faced off from opposite sides of the spectrum, where Miami won 24-19 and added this win to their seven-game winning streak at that point, while UNC fell to 1-8.
Even though it was his intention even prior to the game, Mark Richt surprised us all last week when after only two drives against FIU, most Canes fans got what they wanted as N’Kosi Perry made his way onto the field to replace Malik Rosier at quarterback. Perry was quick to impress as he was able to connect on his first ten passes, including a few to TE Brevin Jordan and WR Mike Harley. Harley, who’s been fairly quiet this season, finished with seven catches for 76 yards.
Miami’s backup QB (for now at least) completed 17 of his 25 passes for 224 yards and three touchdowns. There were a couple of freshman mistakes that he made, including an interception that he forced deep going to his opposite side, but other than that, signs pointed to a very successful day for N’Kosi, which makes coach Richt’s decision on who’s starting this Thursday a lot harder than anticipated, especially operating with a shorter practice week. First-team reps were spread out amongst Perry, Rosier, and Cade Weldon at Monday’s practice, and although Perry was technically the first guy to get reps, Mark Richt is maintaining his tight lip about the decision, at least for the meantime.
“I think the less your opponent knows, the better. I think so. If we knew exactly what they were going to do on offense, it’d be a huge advantage,” Richt told the Sun-Sentinel. “If I knew exactly what they were going to do on defense, and had 100 percent faith and confidence that I knew they were going to do certain things, it would be different.”
There’s even word surrounding North Carolina that it is a little difficult to gameplan for the Hurricanes with the reason being that they don’t know which quarterback to expect, but it will be tough for Richt to roll with someone other than the current hot hand in Perry.
Running back depth has been a huge strength for Miami this season. Against Toledo, Deejay Dallas had himself his best game so far wearing a Miami uniform and last week, Travis Homer stepped in and had 114 yards to go along with his first rushing touchdown of the season. Dallas somewhat took a step back against FIU as more carries were spread out amongst true freshmen Lorenzo Lingard (50 yards) and Cam Davis (24 yards).
A small scare came when Miami’s best receiver Jeff Thomas was seen a little shaken up after a punt return in the first quarter against FIU. It is reported to be a cramp/dehydration issue but he did not return to the game, and coaches are optimistic he will play against North Carolina. Junior WR Ahmmon Richards is still not 100% and the team has confirmed that he will not play.
The offensive line for Miami experienced a little bit of a shakeup against FIU, with true freshman DJ Scaife and guard Venzell Boulware getting a lot more reps as starting tackles Tyree St. Louis and Navaughn Donaldson struggled at times.
The Canes defense is still #1 in the nation in tackles for loss, adding 11 against FIU for a total of 46 on the season, and in addition, they also have the best run defense in the nation at 78.7 yards/game allowed. Gerald Willis was extremely disruptive in the run game last week with five tackles and three tackles for loss, as he continues to play at a 1st-team All-ACC pace. FIU was held to just 15 yards in the first half last week, even without star safety Jaquan Johnson. Johnson will be a game-time decision for Thursday, but in the case he is unable to play, sophomore Amari Carter would take his place, with freshman Gurvan Hall ready to provide reinforcements.
Coach Larry Fedora’s Tar Heels are currently 1-2, with their lone win coming last week at the hands of Pittsburgh. So far, consistency has been lacking on both sides of the ball and they’ve been playing shorthanded for the beginning of the season due to 13 players getting suspended over the offseason for selling team-issued shoes. But luckily, the suspensions of DE Malik Carney, QB Chazz Surratt, WR Beau Corrales, DE Tyronne Hopper, and OL Brian Anderson come to an end.
Although the Heels are getting back quarterback Chazz Surratt from suspension, Fedora has opted to start Nathan Elliott against the Hurricanes. Surratt was the regular starter last season. With Elliott running the offense, the Tar Heels have the 72nd-best passing attack in the nation averaging 228 passing yards a game. Elliott took over for Surratt in the first quarter of last year’s meeting and struggled with one touchdown to go with three interceptions.
But after a wonderful performance by Elliott against Pittsburgh in which he threw for 313 yards with two touchdowns, it will be interesting to see if coach Fedora’s faith will pay off against a very hungry Miami defense. WR Anthony Ratliff-Williams has been a consistent target for him this season, compiling at least 62 yards in each of their three games. Running backs Antonio Williams (Ohio St. transfer) and Jordan Brown have also had their turns at keeping the offense afloat, with 380 yards and five touchdowns between the two but indeed, they will be tested against the staunch Miami run defense.
Defensively, UNC currently holds the worst run defense in the conference, allowing a tad over 200 yards/game. The Heels get a huge boost with the return of Carney, who is one of the leaders for this defense. He left his imprint on last year’s game with eight tackles and one sack.
Don’t forget, this game is happening Thursday night at 8 PM and you can catch the action on ESPN.
Even though it was his intention even prior to the game, Mark Richt surprised us all last week when after only two drives against FIU, most Canes fans got what they wanted as N’Kosi Perry made his way onto the field to replace Malik Rosier at quarterback. Perry was quick to impress as he was able to connect on his first ten passes, including a few to TE Brevin Jordan and WR Mike Harley. Harley, who’s been fairly quiet this season, finished with seven catches for 76 yards.
Miami’s backup QB (for now at least) completed 17 of his 25 passes for 224 yards and three touchdowns. There were a couple of freshman mistakes that he made, including an interception that he forced deep going to his opposite side, but other than that, signs pointed to a very successful day for N’Kosi, which makes coach Richt’s decision on who’s starting this Thursday a lot harder than anticipated, especially operating with a shorter practice week. First-team reps were spread out amongst Perry, Rosier, and Cade Weldon at Monday’s practice, and although Perry was technically the first guy to get reps, Mark Richt is maintaining his tight lip about the decision, at least for the meantime.
“I think the less your opponent knows, the better. I think so. If we knew exactly what they were going to do on offense, it’d be a huge advantage,” Richt told the Sun-Sentinel. “If I knew exactly what they were going to do on defense, and had 100 percent faith and confidence that I knew they were going to do certain things, it would be different.”
There’s even word surrounding North Carolina that it is a little difficult to gameplan for the Hurricanes with the reason being that they don’t know which quarterback to expect, but it will be tough for Richt to roll with someone other than the current hot hand in Perry.
Running back depth has been a huge strength for Miami this season. Against Toledo, Deejay Dallas had himself his best game so far wearing a Miami uniform and last week, Travis Homer stepped in and had 114 yards to go along with his first rushing touchdown of the season. Dallas somewhat took a step back against FIU as more carries were spread out amongst true freshmen Lorenzo Lingard (50 yards) and Cam Davis (24 yards).
A small scare came when Miami’s best receiver Jeff Thomas was seen a little shaken up after a punt return in the first quarter against FIU. It is reported to be a cramp/dehydration issue but he did not return to the game, and coaches are optimistic he will play against North Carolina. Junior WR Ahmmon Richards is still not 100% and the team has confirmed that he will not play.
The offensive line for Miami experienced a little bit of a shakeup against FIU, with true freshman DJ Scaife and guard Venzell Boulware getting a lot more reps as starting tackles Tyree St. Louis and Navaughn Donaldson struggled at times.
The Canes defense is still #1 in the nation in tackles for loss, adding 11 against FIU for a total of 46 on the season, and in addition, they also have the best run defense in the nation at 78.7 yards/game allowed. Gerald Willis was extremely disruptive in the run game last week with five tackles and three tackles for loss, as he continues to play at a 1st-team All-ACC pace. FIU was held to just 15 yards in the first half last week, even without star safety Jaquan Johnson. Johnson will be a game-time decision for Thursday, but in the case he is unable to play, sophomore Amari Carter would take his place, with freshman Gurvan Hall ready to provide reinforcements.
Coach Larry Fedora’s Tar Heels are currently 1-2, with their lone win coming last week at the hands of Pittsburgh. So far, consistency has been lacking on both sides of the ball and they’ve been playing shorthanded for the beginning of the season due to 13 players getting suspended over the offseason for selling team-issued shoes. But luckily, the suspensions of DE Malik Carney, QB Chazz Surratt, WR Beau Corrales, DE Tyronne Hopper, and OL Brian Anderson come to an end.
Although the Heels are getting back quarterback Chazz Surratt from suspension, Fedora has opted to start Nathan Elliott against the Hurricanes. Surratt was the regular starter last season. With Elliott running the offense, the Tar Heels have the 72nd-best passing attack in the nation averaging 228 passing yards a game. Elliott took over for Surratt in the first quarter of last year’s meeting and struggled with one touchdown to go with three interceptions.
But after a wonderful performance by Elliott against Pittsburgh in which he threw for 313 yards with two touchdowns, it will be interesting to see if coach Fedora’s faith will pay off against a very hungry Miami defense. WR Anthony Ratliff-Williams has been a consistent target for him this season, compiling at least 62 yards in each of their three games. Running backs Antonio Williams (Ohio St. transfer) and Jordan Brown have also had their turns at keeping the offense afloat, with 380 yards and five touchdowns between the two but indeed, they will be tested against the staunch Miami run defense.
Defensively, UNC currently holds the worst run defense in the conference, allowing a tad over 200 yards/game. The Heels get a huge boost with the return of Carney, who is one of the leaders for this defense. He left his imprint on last year’s game with eight tackles and one sack.
Don’t forget, this game is happening Thursday night at 8 PM and you can catch the action on ESPN.
