Since subbing in for Chazz Surratt during UNC’s close loss to Miami three weeks ago, sophomore quarterback Nathan Elliott has provided a much-needed steadying presence for the Tar Heels behind center.

He’ll look to continue that this Saturday at Kenan Stadium as UNC hosts Western Carolina.

Throughout the Tar Heels’ recent six-game losing streak, head coach Larry Fedora saw his team post some of its worst offensive performances since he arrived in Chapel Hill prior to the 2012 campaign.

The struggles peaked with a 51-point blowout loss at the hands of Virginia Tech. During garbage time, however, Fedora decided to give Elliott—then the third string option—a chance to play.

He went 0-for-3 in limited action against the Hokies, but saw extended playing time the next week against Miami after replacing Chazz Surratt in the first quarter.

Nathan Elliott threw for 173 yards and ran for another 79 against Miami in his first significant playing time as a Tar Heel. (AP Photo/ Gerry Broome)

UNC’s offense suddenly found the spark it was missing all year long.

There were mistakes in what ultimately finished as a 24-19 loss—such as three interceptions and a 41 percent completion rate—but Elliott showed an ability to make plays with his feet, throw the ball downfield and he even caught a 33-yard pass from receiver Anthony Ratliff-Williams. This all against one of the nation’s only undefeated teams and one of its top defenses.

Elliott followed the Miami game by throwing for nearly 250 yards and two touchdowns—not to mention no interceptions—while winning his first career start last Thursday against Pittsburgh.

As the Texas native has gotten more comfortable, so too have the players around him—which Fedora credits for UNC’s recent success.

“It’s probably a combination of all of it,” Fedora said during his weekly press conference on Monday. “Nathan has given us some stability there. If we don’t turn it over in that Miami game, we’re in a different situation, also.

“But it’s been a combination,” he continued. “I think once you’ve got a little bit more stability [at quarterback], I think the guys around do a better job, also.”

The win against Pittsburgh gave the Tar Heels their first conference victory in seven tries to this point in 2017.

UNC head coach Larry Fedora has seen his offense find stability in recent weeks with Elliott at quarterback. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

While Elliott’s talent doesn’t exactly jump off the page, his grit and work ethic—two of football’s most popular buzz words—have trickled down to the rest of the roster.

Instead of quitting on the season, this group of Tar Heels have stuck together and played for pride. Elliott’s grittiness, in some ways, personifies what Fedora is looking for from his team as the season concludes.

While UNC is expected to win this week against a lower division FCS school in Western Carolina, beating Pittsburgh helped validate the coach’s tactics—both giving Elliott a chance and continuing to preach positivity.

“The win was more important for our team than anybody,” Fedora told reporters. “Those are the guys that are putting in the work each and every day. Those are the ones that come with the positive attitude. They’re the ones doing it, and that was who [the win] was for.

“And that’s what was important,” he continued. “Is for them to see that if they kept doing the things that they were doing that they could have success. And that’s what happened.”

Only two games remain in what many would consider a lost season for the Tar Heel football program. After Western Carolina this week at Kenan Stadium, UNC will have a chance to upset rival NC State in Raleigh.

Elliott should have every opportunity to try and state his case to Fedora as a potential long-term option, but right now nothing is guaranteed. A win this week is all that matters for him.

The coaching staff will evaluate the state of the program moving forward when the time is right.

“Right now, he’s got to be the guy this week,” Fedora said, of Elliott. “We really haven’t started thinking about long-term stuff. He’s got to do a great job in practice this week and be the guy who takes us into this game.”

 

 

Cover photo via Keith Srakokic (Associated Press)