Heel Tough Blog: East Tennessee State Preview
The Tar Heels have had another rough week bye week off the field, but it is time for this group to get back to business on the field on Saturday as they face East Tennessee State in the home opener. The team will be looking to build on the upset win over TCU and get closer to a bowl game against an FCS team that is off to a hot start offensively. Here’s everything you need to know about the kickoff to the first home game of the 100th season in Kenan Stadium.
Team Breakdowns
Tar Heels
The Tar Heels are now two weeks removed from the biggest win of the Bill Belichick era, which created some positive buzz around the program for the first time in over a year. While Bobby Petrino’s offense was exactly perfect in the opener, there is hope that they can be the type of unit that the team needs to compete to make a bowl this season. Quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. did a good job of getting the ball where it needed to go in that first game, especially when receivers were able to create separation. His accuracy needs to be more consistent moving forward, especially on passes 10+ yards down the field, but he showed why the team decided to go with him over Miles O’Neill coming out of camp. The running back room wasn’t as productive as we thought they could be in the opener as the staff continues to work on how they are going to divide up reps at the position. Benjamin Hall earned the starting job with the work that he put in during the offseason and Jaylen McGill had a couple of nice runs in the opener, punctuated by the first rushing touchdown of his career. Demon June was the back that the team relied on down the stretch in the game against a tired TCU run defense and he was able to do enough to help carry the Tar Heels to victory on the final drive. TCU was a group that shut down the run well and the expectation is that there won’t be nearly as much resistance this week, which could allow the group to be more productive and find some more answers about how they will split reps moving forward. Running the ball better will need to be aided by an offensive line that didn’t shine in that area in the first game, but was still an improvement from last season. As a whole, the group was one of the biggest surprises of the opener, highlighted by how well they protected Edwards throughout the day. This is a group that needs to play well again on Saturday in both elements of the game and be feeling confident for the test that lies ahead the week after.
The pass catching group is in good hands heading into this one thanks to the beginning of what might be big seasons for wide receiver Jordan Shipp and tight end Jelani Thurman. Both guys were outstanding in Dublin and the expectation is that Edwards' trust in them will make them frequent targets throughout the season. Slot receivers Trech Kekahuna and C.J. Sadler could also feature more in this game after Campbell was able to take advantage of the nickel corner spot in East Tennessee State’s opener.
While the offense has to feel hopeful after their showing in Ireland, the defense should be brimming with confidence about what they could be this season after a dominant second half. The Tar Heel defensive line had a spectacular showing, led by defensive tackle Xavier Lewis, who put together one of the better defensive performances we have seen from a Tar Heel interior defensive lineman in some time. Alongside him, Leroy Jackson and Isaiah Johnson picked right up where they left off last year in run defense, while the edge rushers led by Melkart Abou Jaoude and Jaylen Harvey got some good pressure throughout the day. The linebacker room struggled a little bit filling gaps and missing tackles out of the gate, but Derek McDonald and Jonathan Agumadu were a productive duo who made some important tackles down the stretch in the victory. Peyton Seelmann needs to bounce back after a tough first game at the power conference level and this might be the perfect game to do just that. The secondary remains a little bit of a mystery after the opener, but they have to be given credit for how they played after last year’s disaster class on Labor Day night. Cornerback Jaiden Patterson looked good, albeit, against a TCU receiving corps that was without its top player and safety Greg Smith showed signs of being the star that many predicted he would be coming into the season. Kaleb Cost was picked on just a bit in the slot, but he should be fine after the way that he played last year after being torched in the opener. Corner Tre Miller and safety Peyton Waters remain the biggest unknowns, but there is still a lot of faith from this coaching staff after they earned the starting jobs in fall camp. As a unit, the defense needs to tackle and seal the edges in the run game better than they did a couple of weeks ago, but there are some high expectations for this unit after their initial showing.
Special teams was a bit of an adventure in that first game. Aeron Burrell handled the place kicking, punt and kickoff duties for the team and had an up-and-down day. While he hit his lone extra point and the two short field goals, he did miss on a 42-yard field goal, bringing into question his accuracy from beyond 40 yards. He had a bad punt in the first quarter that allowed for a big return and set the Horned Frogs up for their lone touchdown, but hit two better, but not spectacular, ones later in the game. He looked good on kickoffs, though, sending all of them for touchbacks. The return games are fine, but may still not pose much of a threat again this season.
East Tennessee State
The Buccaneers enter this game 1-1 with a season-opening loss to Campbell followed by a comfortable victory over Division II Tusculum last week. Quarterback Mason Mims is off to a hot start after winning the quarterback battle in camp following his transfer from Louisville this offseason. He has spread the ball around well to a strong group of pass catchers, led by the trio of wide receiver Suderian Harrison, fellow receiver Brandon Winton and tight end Charlie Browder. In the backfield, the team has two running backs that are averaging more than 7.7 yards per carry in TJ Peyton and Jaiden Daniels, something that could test this Tar Heel run defense if they aren’t careful. The offensive line is anchored by preseason All-SoCon member Will McCraw and is a unit that has allowed just one sack, nine total quarterback pressures and 5.0 tackles for loss in the first two games of this season. This will clearly be the biggest test that the Buccaneers offense has faced this year, but the Tar Heel need to make sure they don’t take this unit lightly.
The excitement isn’t nearly as high on the defensive side of the ball where the team is off to a slow start. Linebacker appears to be the strength of the unit, at least in the early going. Dre Delinois is off to a strong start to the year and Jarvis Johnson has been solid next to him. They are the standouts of a front six that has struggled, primarily in run defense, to start the season. Edge rushers Ayden Guess and Charles Woodard have made some plays in the first two games, but the unit as a whole has helped to produce just 7.0 tackles for loss and 1.0 sack. They have, however, registered 28 total quarterback pressures, so the Tar Heel offensive line will need to be ready to go. The Buccaneers’ secondary has to be an area of concern for them after they were torn apart by Campbell in the opener. Outside corners Jimmy Bowdry and CJ Gilmore have held their own, but the nickel corner spot and the safeties have been picked on.
Special teams haven't been as strong as the Buccaneers would probably like them to be. Placekicker Ewan Johnson has hit all of his extra points, but is just 1-2 on field goals so far, having missed from 53 in the first game. He has also been handling kickoffs, but has only sent six of his fourteen attempts for touchbacks. Punter Luke Stewart hasn’t been great, but he has done just enough. The return games are dangerous with guys like TJ Peyton, Izay Bridges and Xavier Gaillardetz.
Team Stats
Tar Heels
Off. PPG: 15.0 (T-109th)
Off. PYPG: 232.0 (68th)
Off. RYPG: 90.0 (118th)
Off. TYPG: 322.0 (105th)
Off. 3rd Down %: 27.3% (T-115th)
Off. 4th Down %: 100.0% (T-1st)
Off. Red Zone TD%: 25.0% (T-119th)
Tackles For A Loss Allowed: 4.0 (T-43rd)
Sacks Allowed: 3.0 (T-106th)
Def. PPG: 10.0 (T-38th)
Def. PYPG: 175.0 (65th)
Def. RYPG: 106.0 (T-65th)
Def. TYPG: 281.0 (59th)
Def. 3rd Down %: 43.8% (T-98th)
Def. 4th Down %: 20.0% (35th)
Def. Red Zone TD%: 25.0% (T-26th)
Tackles for A Loss: 6.0 (T-55th)
Sacks: 3.0 (T-27th)
Interceptions: 0 (T-74th)
Turnover Margin: -1 (T-89th)
Penalties Per Game: 3.0 (T-9th)
Penalty Yards Per Game: 20.0 (T-9th)
East Tennessee State
Off. PPG: 42.5
Off. PYPG: 316.0
Off. RYPG: 190.0
Off. TYPG: 506.0
Off. 3rd Down %: 56.5%
Off. 4th Down %: 33.3%
Off. Red Zone TD%: 88.0
Tackles For A Loss Allowed: 5.0
Sacks Allowed: 1.0
Def. PPG: 31.5
Def. PYPG: 226.0
Def. RYPG: 191.5
Def. TYPG: 417.5
Def. 3rd Down %: 34.5%
Def. 4th Down %: 71.4%
Def. Red Zone TD%: 75.0%
Tackles for A Loss: 7.0
Sacks: 1.0
Interceptions: 0
Turnover Margin: -3
Penalties Per Game: 5.5
Penalty Yards Per Game: 47.0
Keys to the Game
-Start Fast Offensively
-Limit the Missed Tackles
-Hold Onto the Football
Injury Report
Tar Heels
OUT- Jaxxon Warren (undisclosed)
DOUBT- Melkart Abou Jaoude (hand)
QUEST- Jordan Washington (undisclosed), Jospeh Muypoi (undisclosed)
East Tennessee State
No Injury Report
Projected Starting Lineup
Tar Heels
Offense
QB# 9 Billy Edwards Jr., Gr.
RB# 7 Benjamin Hall, Jr.
WR-X# 4 Mason Humphrey, Sr.
WR-SL# 2 Trech Kekahuna, Jr.
WR-Z# 1 Jordan Shipp, Jr.
TE#45 Jelani Thurman, Jr.
LG#75 Andrew Threatt, Sr.
C#56 Christo Kelly, Gr.
RG#68 Aidan Banfield, Jr.
RT#71 Jacqawn McRoy, So.
Defense
RUSH# 5 Donovan Hoilette Jr., Gr.
NT# 0 Isaiah Johnson, Sr.
DT#91 Leroy Jackson, So.
JACK#11 Jaylen Harvey, So.
WLB# 8 Jonathan Agumadu, So.
BCB#18 Jaiden Patterson, Jr.
BS# 1 Greg Smith, So.
FS# 7 Peyton Waters, So.
CB# 6 Tre Miller, Jr.
NB#21 Kaleb Cost, Jr.
Special Teams
P#93 Jacob Horvath, Jr.
KOS#92 Aeron Burrell, Jr.
H#93 Jacob Horvath, Jr.
PR# 2 Trech Kekahuna, Jr.
East Tennessee State
Offense
QB#12 Mason Mims, RFr.
RB# 5 TJ Peyton, So.
WR-X# 9 Suderian Harrison, Sr.
WR-Z# 8 Trey Weary, Sr.
WR-SL# 0 Brandon Winton, So.
TE#88 Charlie Browder, Gr.
LG#60 Micah Sumpter, Sr.
C#58 Maddox Radcliffe, Jr.
RG#51 Isaiah Hall, So.
RT#57 Ty Williams, Jr.
Defense
LOLB#20 Josiha Mason, Jr.
NT#22 Jayden Wilson-Abrams, So.
NT#91 Brenden LeBlanc, Sr.
DLT#99 Mason Ball, So.
WLB# 3 Jarvis Johnson, So.
LCB#15 CJ Gilmore, Sr.
SS# 4 Devin Hunter, Sr.
FS# 2 Mike Jenkins, Sr.
RCB# 5 Jimmy Bowdry, 5th
NB# 6 Jivon Oggs, Sr.
Special Teams
P#44 Luke Stewart, Jr.
KOS#15 Ewan Johnson, Sr.
H#44 Luke Stewart, Jr.
KR# 5 TJ Peyton, So.
PR# 2 Xavier Gaillardetz, Sr.
Game Information
Kickoff Time: 12:00 PM EST
Weather: 83°F, 5% chance of rain
TV: ACC Network
Radio: Tar Heel Sports Network
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