UNC Defensive Coordinator Jay Bateman Takes Blame for Georgia Tech Loss: 'That Is On Me'

In his weekly media availability following Saturday’s loss to Georgia Tech, UNC defensive coordinator Jay Bateman didn’t mince words about his unit’s performance.

“We had some major, major errors,” he said.

The Tar Heels allowed the Yellow Jackets to amass 261 rushing yards on the evening and gain an average of 6.4 yards per play. Backup quarterback Jeff Sims, who entered in relief of starter Jordan Yates, rushed 10 times for 128 yards and three touchdowns.

Immediately following the game, linebacker Jeremiah Gemmel said, “We thought Yates was gonna be the guy throughout the game. So we really didn’t gameplan too much for both quarterbacks. We had some stuff for [Sims], but we didn’t think he was gonna play the whole second half.”

When asked about the challenges Sims presented to his defense, Bateman noted the offensive explosion from Georgia Tech was more due to Tar Heel mistakes than anything else.

“I think Sims is a really good player. I think Jordan Yates is a really good player,” Bateman said. “They ran the same plays. We didn’t tackle as well, and we didn’t leverage the ball, and we made… some errors that we normally don’t make.”

The poor performance stopping the run stands as almost the complete opposite of what happened during UNC’s 59-39 win against Virginia in Week 3. The Tar Heels allowed quarterback Brennan Armstrong to throw for 553 yards, but held the Cavaliers to just 21 yards on the ground.

“There were three runs for about 150 yards [for Georgia Tech], and on all three we had a guy not execute the way we want him to execute,” Bateman said. “So I think that’s part of it. And that is on me. That’s my job to make sure they’re in the right gap and they’re doing their job. And I think that’s where we’ve got to make strides.”

Bateman is in his third season as defensive coordinator at North Carolina, having joined the coaching staff when Mack Brown became head coach in December 2018. Before coming to Chapel Hill, Bateman served as defensive coordinator at Army, where his defenses ranked in the top 10 nationally twice in five years. He also was a finalist for the Broyles Award, given to the top assistant coach in the country, in 2018.

During the 2020 season, Bateman’s defense at Carolina tied for fifth nationally with 36 sacks. This season, through four games, the Tar Heels have notched just six sacks.

“I think we have to get [opponents] into more downs where they’re throwing it,” Bateman said. “When you’re in 3rd-and-3 a lot, and you’re in 3rd-and-4 a lot, it’s hard to get sacks. It’s hard to dial up pressure. It’s hard for the [defensive] linemen to cut it loose. Sacks and turnovers come from run game efficiency. And when you don’t have run game efficiency on defense, it’s hard to get the other two.”

Carolina’s run defense will be tested once again Saturday afternoon, when Duke’s outstanding running back Mataeo Durant visits Kenan Stadium. For the season, Durant is averaging 131 yards per game, six yards per carry and has already scored eight touchdowns for the 3-1 Blue Devils.

Featured image via 247 Sports

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UNC Defensive Coordinator Jay Bateman Takes Blame for Georgia Tech Loss: ‘That Is On Me’

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