The Tar Heels continue their homestand this weekend as they welcome the NC Central Eagles to Chapel Hill for the first time looking to build off of what they did in a victory in last week’s home opener against Charlotte. Here’s everything you need to know for the matchup with an Eagles team that has finished 19-5 in the last two seasons at the FCS level.
Team Breakdowns
Tar Heels
Last week, we got to see what this offense looked like when it was tailored for Conner Harrell and the results were encouraging. Harrell missed some throws that he wanted to hit moving forward, but he showed some nice arm strength and running ability, attributes that made us confident in him after we saw him in the bowl game. The good news for him is that the running back room became even deeper last weekend. Omarion Hampton is going to continue to carry the load after a great first six quarters to the season, but Davion Gause showed that he is a more than capable option behind him with his 105-yard rushing performance. Darwin Barlow and Caleb Hood are veterans who have also had success in the past at the position and could play roles for this team, especially if Hampton’s ailment from a week ago lingers. At receiver, the team is looking for someone to emerge as the top target for Harrell. J.J. Jones wasn’t targeted nearly as much as he was in the opener, but he seems like he is the best bet, especially with the connection that he and Harrell had in the bowl game. Christian Hamilton caught a touchdown on Saturday on a great play design that allowed him to get open down the field, but he needs to be more consistent at creating separation. Nate McCollum still needs to provide more than he did on Saturday despite him finding the endzone for the first time in a year on a nice reverse handoff. The good news is that the tight end room looks ready to step up and be a strength for this team after last weekend. Bryson Nesbit made a huge impact in the 26 snaps that he played on Saturday, leading the team in receiving and finding the endzone to set a new program record for touchdowns by a tight end. John Copenhaver provided a nice safety valve, as well, a role that he has thrived in alongside his great run blocking over the last couple of years. The offensive line took a step forward last week despite two members of the group suffering injuries in the first half. Willie Lampkin continues to anchor the unit, while Aidan Banfield keeps impressing with how good he has looked for a true freshman. Zach Greenberg was fantastic after replacing Austin Blaske and he looks capable of handling that starting role moving forward until Blaske can return from his lower body injury. Howard Sampson bounced back from a tough day against Minnesota and should be able to build some momentum during the next two weeks.
Defensively, the front six is thriving while the back five has a lot to clean up. Jahvaree Ritzie and Travis Shaw lead the group up front with their outstanding starts to the season and are aided by Des Evans on the edge, who is providing the most consistent push of his career so far. The linebacking corps is once again in tremendous shape, with Power Echols and Amare Campbell working extremely well together and Campbell providing some needed pass rush with the loss of Kaimon Rucker on the edge for the next couple of weeks. The secondary, which was supposedly the strength of the unit in camp, has really struggled outside of Alijah Huzzie, who has probably been the unit’s best player through two games. Marcus Allen and Kaleb Cost have allowed too many explosive plays, as have the safeties who had their struggles with tackling in the opener. The next couple of weeks are badly needed for this defensive backfield to get right before conference play.
The special teams unit is off to a productive start. Noah Burnette missed a meaningless field goal last week, but he should be fine after carrying the team in Week 1. Tom Maginness is off to a really solid start after worries about him in the preseason both returner roles appear to be in good hands. The coverage units have also been much more productive than a year ago.
NC Central
The Eagles are coming off of back-to-back strong seasons under the direction of head coach Trei Oliver and will be looking to bounce back from the blowout loss they suffered last week to Elon. Quarterback Walker Harris has struggled so far this season, throwing for just 300 yards and posting a 2-3 touchdown-interception ratio in the first two games. At running back, J’Mari Taylor carries the load and is off to a solid start with 188 rushing yards and three touchdowns so far. When it comes to the pass catchers, it really starts and ends with Joaquin Davis. So far this season, he is averaging 23.4 yards per catch, meaning he will test this Tar Heel secondary that has struggled with explosive receivers. Outside of him, no one else has proven to be much of a threat. The offensive line is a younger unit, starting three underclassmen, but has surprised Oliver with the way they played early in the season.
Defensively, the unit is coming off a rough game a week ago against Elon. The secondary is the strength of the unit, led by the safety tandem of Kole Jones and Malcolm Reed, who are both off to strong starts this season. Jaylen Bowden is also having a strong start to the season on the outside at corner. At linebacker, Jaki Brevard is a steady force, but Max U’Ren has really struggled beside him. The defensive front has been pushed around so far this season, especially in the run game and the Tar Heels should be able to exploit that again on Saturday.
The special teams unit has been really solid out of the gate. Juan Velarde is handling both kicker and punter duties and has looked good so far and the return games are in good hands with Darryl Taylor and Chris Mosley.
Team Stats
Tar Heels
Off. PPG: 28.5 (T-84th)
Off. PYPG: 163.0 (112th)
Off. RYPG: 208.0 (34th)
Off. TYPG: 371.0 (T-83rd)
Off. 3rd Down %: 51.9% (30th)
Off. 4th Down %: 0.0% (T-115th)
Off. Red Zone TD%: 60.0 (T-75th)
Tackles For A Loss Allowed: 15.0 (T-113th)
Sacks Allowed: 5.0 (T-100th)
Def. PPG: 18.5 (T-64th)
Def. PYPG: 237.0 (93rd)
Def. RYPG: 64.0 (16th)
Def. TYPG: 301.0 (62nd)
Def. 3rd Down %: 30.8% (T-48th)
Def. 4th Down %: 66.7% (T-92nd)
Def. Red Zone TD%: 42.9% (T-45th)
Tackles for A Loss: 13.0 (T-53rd)
Sacks: 8.0 (T-6th)
Interceptions: 0 (T-110th)
Turnover Margin: -1 (T-84th)
Penalties Per Game: 5.5 (T-52nd)
Penalty Yards Per Game: 56.0 (72nd)
NC Central
Off. PPG: 25.0
Off. PYPG: 150.0
Off. RYPG: 153.0
Off. TYPG: 303.0
Off. 3rd Down %: 33.3%
Off. 4th Down %: 50.0%
Off. Red Zone TD%: 80.0%
Tackles For A Loss Allowed: 11.0
Sacks Allowed: 5.0
Def. PPG: 32.5
Def. PYPG: 162.5
Def. RYPG: 202.5
Def. TYPG: 365.0
Def. 3rd Down %: 33.3%
Def. 4th Down %: 66.7%
Def. Red Zone TD%: 60.0%
Tackles for A Loss: 18.0
Sacks: 6.0
Interceptions: 3
Turnover Margin: 0
Penalties Per Game: 6.5
Penalty Yards Per Game: 55.5
Keys to the Game
Run It Right At Them
The strength of this Tar Heel offense is the running game and the Eagles have been gashed on the ground in each of the first two games of the season. Even if we don’t see a ton of Hampton in this one, this should be a game where the Tar Heel lean on the run game to put some distance between the two teams early.
Limit the Explosives
The biggest reason Charlotte was able to stick around on Saturday was because of the explosive plays that the Tar Heels allowed in the passing game and the Eagles will be looking to exploit, too. Joaquin Davis has proven that he can make plays down the field, so the Tar Heels need to make sure they are buttoned up back there to prevent him from doing so and keeping this NC Central team around.
Stay Disciplined
One of the easiest ways to keep FCS opponents in games like this is by taking penalties. After committing just three penalties in the opener, the Tar Heels were penalized eight times for 67 yards a week ago. The team needs to return to that Week 1 form to make sure that the Eagles don’t stick around.
Injury Report
Tar Heels
OUT- Max Johnson (leg), Kaimon Rucker (lower body)
QUEST- Darwin Barlow (lower body), Austin Blaske (lower body)
PROB- Aidan Banfield (lower body), Omarion Hampton (lower body), Bryson Nesbit (upper body)
NC Central
No Injury Report
Projected Starting Lineup
Tar Heels
Offense
QB#15 Conner Harrell, So.
RB#28 Omarion Hampton, Jr.
WR-X# 5 J.J. Jones, Gr.
WR-SL# 6 Nate McCollum, Sr.
WR-Z# 7 Christian Hamilton, RFr.
TE#81 John Copenhaver, Gr.
LT#79 Howard Sampson, So.
LG#68 Aidan Banfield, Fr.
C#63 Zach Greenberg, Gr.
RG#53 Willie Lampkin, Sr.
RT#78 Trevyon Green, So.
Defense
DE#10 Des Evans, Sr.
NT#98 Kevin Hester Jr., Gr.
DT# 5 Jahvaree Ritzie, Sr.
RUSH#40 Tyler Thompson, RFr.
WLB#23 Power Echols, Sr.
MLB#17 Amare Campbell, So.
CB#28 Alijah Huzzie, Gr.
BS# 1 Stick Lane, Gr.
FS# 2 Jakeen Harris, Gr.
CB#29 Marcus Allen, Jr.
STAR#21 Kaleb Cost, So.
Special Teams
PK#98 Noah Burnette, Sr.
P#96 Tom Maginness, Jr.
KOS#37 Liam Boyd, So.
LS#62 Spencer Triplett, Gr.
H#96 Tom Maginness, Jr.
KR# 6 Nate McCollum, Sr.
PR#28 Alijah Huzzie, Gr.
Charlotte
Offense
QB# 3 Walker Harris, Jr.
RB# 4 J’Mari Taylor, Jr.
WR-X# 0 Chauncey Spikes, Jr.
WR-H# 6 Markell Quick, So.
WR-Z#88 Joaquin Davis, Sr.
TE#83 Luke Bracey, Jr.
LT#70 Taron Williams, So.
LG#51 AC McMoore, So.
C#62 Noah McKinney, Jr.
RG#53 Ja’Quan Sprinkle, Jr.
RT#55 Trevon Humphrey, So.
Defense
DE#99 JuJu Williams, Sr.
DT# 0 Quantez Mansfield, Sr.
NG#91 Chris Smith, Jr.
DE#16 Makai McCall, Jr.
MLB#54 Max U’Ren, Jr.
WLB#45 Jaki Bernard, Sr.
CB#19 Jaylen Bowden, So.
SS# 7 Kole Jones, Sr.
FS# 2 Malcolm Reed, Jr.
ROVER#28 Jelani Vassell, Jr.
CB# 9 Marvin Reed Jr., Jr.
Special Teams
PK#59 Juan Velarde, Sr.
P#59 Juan Velarde, Sr.
KOS#59 Juan Velarde, Sr.
LS#47 Mykah Stone, Jr.
H#13 Quest Powell, Jr.
KR# 7 Kole Jones, Sr.
PR#81 Darryl Taylor, So.
Game Information
Kickoff Time: 6:00 PM ET
Weather: 78℉, 15% chance of rain, ENE at 10 mph
Betting Line: No line
TV: ACC Network Extra (ESPN+)
Radio: Tar Heel Sports Network
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