UNC football has started its season on a well-fought 2-0 run, and head coach Larry Fedora spent part of his 53rd birthday Wednesday noting Carolina’s offensive efficiency as a factor to the Tar Heels’ success.

Fans and critics alike have wondered just how the offense will balance field time for UNC’s numerous tailbacks, and in the ACC’s weekly teleconference, Fedora defined the offensive running game as a “work in progress”.

While Fedora still did not name a lead running back, he instead mentioned a variety of tailbacks is ideal for Carolina’s quick offense.

“Well I’ve always felt like since we’ve been doing this since ’99 – since I’ve been running this offense – I’ve always felt like you needed at least two, preferably three running backs that you can use throughout a game. That’s if all of those stay healthy,” Fedora said. “Just because of the pace of play, the recovery time that they need and to be able to keep them fresh throughout the entire game I’ve always felt it would be two to at least three.”

Coach Fedora also spoke highly of former walk-on receiver Mack Hollins, who turned a reception by quarterback Marquise Williams into a 33 yard touchdown Saturday against the San Diego Aztecs.

“We knew he had a tremendous will to be good, he had great athleticism,” Fedora said. “And then we get him in spring ball where you’re focusing more on what he can do as a wide receiver and he obviously picked it up very well and has obviously done a great job with it and we knew at that time that he was going to be a factor for us as a receiver.”

Hollins was offered a full scholarship in the spring, and has taken on a key role in the offense which has suffered a blow without the energy and speed of injured receiver TJ Thorpe.

Thorpe recently suffered his third left foot injury in two years, but Fedora assured Thorpe is recovering steadily and that he is already back in practice in preparation to rejoin the Heels for his junior season.

Fedora and the Heels are enjoying a bye week but this is surely no vacation. Fedora assures the team’s time will be spent preparing for the trip to Greenville to face the East Carolina Pirates on September 20 at 3:30 p.m. and avenge the 2013 55-31 loss in Chapel Hill.

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