For all players, the pressure is ratcheted up across the board in the first game of the college football season. But the heat was probably most stifling for the pair of UNC quarterbacks – junior Marquise Williams and redshirt freshman Mitch Trubisky.

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Both signal callers performed admirably, according to Coach Fedora.

“We don’t want those [interceptions] to happen. If you take those three things out of it, they both did a really good job of their decision-making with the things that we asked them to do. I thought they managed the game pretty well, I really did,” Coach Fedora says.

Despite the rather successful rotation in week one, Coach Fedora says Williams will maintain the starting job moving forward and should expect to receive the majority of game snaps.

Not surprisingly, the opening weekend only further propelled the momentum behind the UNC youth movement. Fourteen freshmen and nine first-time starters were featured in Kenan Stadium.

But with youth, more often than not, comes inexperience. Coach Fedora says the important thing is for the Tar Heels to learn to correct their mistakes quickly.

“I would say the mistakes that we made are definitely correctable. I think it was a lot of inexperience. Every opportunity we can give those guys, they’re going to learn from those mistakes and hopefully, won’t make them again,” Coach Fedora says.

Touchdown, Carolina! (Elliott Rubin)

Touchdown, Carolina! (Elliott Rubin)

Although Carolina lost a fumble and threw three interceptions Saturday, the Tar Heels also forced four fumbles of their own and grabbed two interceptions.

Coach Fedora says the greater emphasis on causing turnovers has seemingly paid off.

“We’re putting a tremendous amount of emphasis on creating takeaways this year with our guys. Not that we haven’t in the past, but this year it’s something we’ve spent a lot of time and worked on it daily in practice. I thought it paid off for our guys,” Coach Fedora says.

Slow starts are always worrisome for coaches. UNC trailed Liberty 22-21 in the third quarter. Coach Fedora says the Tar Heels have to be able to transfer their practice reps to game day.

“Sometimes, you do things in practice and it doesn’t carry over to the field in a game. I think early on, it was about everybody trying to get a feel for where they were in the game. Then, once the game got rolling, they started doing the things that they’ve been working on,” Coach Fedora says.

When it comes to the whopping 67 players that got on the field last weekend, Coach Fedora says the more the merrier.

“That was a lot of players. I’m glad it worked out that way. We know we’re a young football team. Those young kids need to get as many reps as possible, because we know they’re going to have to help us throughout the season,” Coach Fedora says.

Tar Heel sideline (Elliott Rubin)

Tar Heel sideline (Elliott Rubin)

One of the strengths of these Tar Heels lies in their endurance. It appears UNC is prepared for four quarters of high-level football. Coach Fedora credits the strength and conditioning staff for the impeccable playing shape of his team.

“I think our guys are in great shape. We didn’t have any problems. They weren’t sucking air. They felt good and were moving around well. That’s a tribute to our strength and conditioning staff and the job that they did with them this summer and throughout camp,” Coach Fedora says.

Next up for the Tar Heels lies a step up in competition. The San Diego State Aztecs clobbered their opening week opponents and will be hoping to spoil the stripe-out festivities Saturday night.

Coach Fedora says the most formidable challenge for UNC will be handling the chaotic Aztec defense.

“Coming into the season, they have a lot of confidence and feel good with where they’re at. Rocky Long [SDSU coach] is going to do a great job, especially on the defensive side of the ball. He’s moving guys around with all kinds of exotic blitzes. It will be a test for us in that way,” Coach Fedora says.

It has been said the most improvement in a football team is seen between the first and second games. Coach Fedora and the rest of Tar Heels will be hoping that’s the case.