UNC Defense Looking to Limit Big Plays Against No. 14 Virginia Tech

The offensive struggles for the UNC football team have been well-documented during the team’s 1-6 start this season, but it’s the defense’s biggest problem area that could doom the Tar Heels this week in Blacksburg against No. 14 Virginia Tech.

While it’s obvious that UNC will have to find a way to score points no matter who the quarterback is, the Hokies have the ability to put the pressure on the Tar Heels right from the get-go.

Head coach Justin Fuente’s team boasts the nation’s 25^th most prolific offense. Led by freshman dual-threat quarterback Josh Jackson, Virginia Tech will look to take advantage of a UNC team which has been battered by injuries on both sides of the ball.

In recent weeks, the Tar Heel defense has played strong early on in games—but fatigue has caused it to fade down the stretch.

With the offense largely incapable of sustaining long drives, the load on the defense continues to grow each week.

Unfortunately for head coach Larry Fedora, the health issues are a reality he can do nothing about.

“Depth is definitely an issue right now, there’s no doubt,” Fedora said. “You’ve got guys defensively that are out there the whole game pretty much. The wear and tear on them and their bodies is pretty difficult. But it is what it is. We don’t have a choice right now.”

One of Fedora’s longstanding philosophies on defense has revolved around limiting what he calls “catastrophic” plays—anything that goes for more than 20 yards.

Virginia took the lead for good last week on an 81-yard catch-and-run, while Notre Dame scored three touchdowns of at least 24 yards the week before—including a 73-yard run.

Throughout the entire season so far, the Tar Heels have allowed 22 passes of at least 20 yards.

Missed tackles and slow pursuit to the ball have played a large role in that.

Facing a talented quarterback like Jackson in a hostile environment like Lane Stadium, UNC could find itself in a big hole if the Virginia Tech receivers continue to exploit the Tar Heels’ biggest weakness.

“We’ve gotta get that fixed,” Fedora told reporters at his weekly press conference on Monday. “That’s the glaring spot on the defense right now.

“It’s just a mentality of not assuming the guy who is supposed to make the play is going to make the play,” the coach continued. “You can’t assume that. You’ve got to fly to the ball and you’ve got to want to make that play.”

To be fair, fixing the problems on defense is not something that will magically put UNC back into the win column.

The offense continues to be a revolving door of players who can’t seem to get comfortable in any one specific role before the next man either subs in or gets hurt. That, more than anything else, has hampered the defense’s ability to stay effective late into games.

With no clear fix in sight for the offense, however, the Tar Heels may have to keep opponents off the scoreboard entirely in order to get a victory.

“We’re just not making enough plays to come out on top,” Fedora said. “I think there’s been some games where our defense has put us in position to win a football game and offensively we haven’t been able to get it done.”

 

 

 

Cover photo via Gerry Broome (Associated Press)