We’re on to Charlotte and Max.
Bill Belichick’s infamous line (sub, Cincinnati) after the Patriots got blown out by the Chiefs in 2014 can be the theme for his Tar Heels getting absolutely destroyed by TCU, souring what had been a memorable day of celebration in Chapel Hill.
And now that quarterback Gio Lopez hobbled off the field after a checkered start in power college ball, Belichick will be “on to Max” from an undersized mid-major transfer from South Alabama.
Max Johnson’s miraculous recovery from a gruesome broken leg in last season’s opener at Minnesota almost a year ago will be the story going into Carolina’s next foe, at Charlotte, in five days. He came on and produced the Tar Heels’ second touchdown late in the third quarter, long after TCU had shown they were the much better team.
This was the Hoodie’s college football debut, and his non-stop national publicity on his surprise move from the NFL will be the next punch line until Belichick finds a way to change all that. Laughs about legendary preparedness, despite more than 70 unknown players, will be among the stomach punches from Durham, Raleigh and beyond.
First of all, what happened?
Carolina had a beautiful opening drive of 83 yards in 7 plays with Lopez’s two completions and Caleb Hood’s TD slant. That will be partly credited to offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchen’s scouting of the Horned Frogs defense. But TCU adjusted and outscored Belichick’s boys 48-7. It was game over, and the air over Kenan Stadium that was electric just an hour before quickly left the balloon — soon to be followed by the sellout crowd that began its slow trudge home.
Second of all, college football will never be pro football no matter how much money they give the players. Every NFL roster consists of 53 elite former college studs who worked their way to stardom. As a collegiate coach, Belichick will always have first-year freshmen and transfers from who knows where, which he and his staff will try to make into a decent offense and defense in the 11 remaining games.
And wasn’t that a factor in awarding the starting position to Lopez, who apparently looked so good in practice against an unready defense that he got the nod over a two-time SEC starting QB? According to Belichick, he had.
Johnson must have been recouping for most of training camp because over the last 16 minutes of the game he had a stronger arm, quicker release and far better results than Lopez. Johnson comes from a football family; his dad Brad won a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers, and his kid brother Jake caught UNC’s only TD pass from Max.
TCU brought plenty of rowdy fans from Fort Worth, who were very loud early and were the most people left when the game clock hit zero. Either to make a point or just after downing another pint, they began yelling at the Carolina sections, “Basketball School! Basketball School!”
One brave and honest fan in light blue yelled back, “We haven’t been that good in basketball lately.”
Featured image via AP Photo/Chris Seward.
Art Chansky is a veteran journalist who has written ten books, including best-sellers “Game Changers,” “Blue Bloods,” and “The Dean’s List.” He has contributed to WCHL for decades, having made his first appearance as a student in 1971. His “Sports Notebook” commentary airs daily on the 97.9 The Hill WCHL and his “Art’s Angle” opinion column runs weekly on Chapelboro.Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.
