Heel Tough Blog: Syracuse Preview

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The Tar Heels may still be without a power conference win on the season, but in the last two weeks, the team has found a bit of life to provide some hope for the closing stretch of the 2025 season. The first game of a stretch of easier games begins on Friday as the Tar Heels head to Syracuse to face another ACC team looking to turn their season around. Here’s everything that you need to know ahead of this crucial game in the JMA Wireless Dome.

Team Breakdowns

Tar Heels

The Tar Heels may be trending in the right direction as a team, but the main issue remains the offensive side of the football under the direction of Freddie Kitchens. Quarterback Gio Lopez has been playing better in each of the last two games, but is still struggling with timing and downfield passing. Even with those struggles, the Tar Heel offense has been able to move in between the 20s more consistently over the past two weeks because of how much more efficient Lopez has been in the short passing game. If he can continue to move the ball like he has, he’ll hang on to the job for the rest of the season based on what Michael Lombardi said earlier in the week. The team needs better play from their wide receivers which could come with more continuity. Jordan Shipp and Kobe Paysour are the most trustworthy members of the unit, while true freshmen Shanard Clower and Madrid Tucker have been the guys that the staff has chosen to entrust with the slot receiver responsibilities in recent weeks. As a whole, the group needs to run cleaner routes and find more separation to help a quarterback that doesn’t necessarily have the ability to throw them open or elevate them the way that previous quarterbacks could. The emergence of a tight end could certainly help the cause as well, but considering tight ends have just two targets in the last two weeks. The strength of the offense is this running game which has its own struggles with continuity. Demon June Jr. has been the most productive of the backs this season, but we have seen a lot of Benjamin Hall in the last two weeks along with spurts from Davion Gause and true freshman Jaylen McGill. The hope is that the team can find some sort of consistent rotation at this position which could lead to the type of success this team needs to win. The offensive line has been better in run blocking situations recently, but the unit continues to struggle in pass protection. Tackles Austin Blaske and Jakai Moore and guard Will O’Steen simply have to be better in pass blocking scenarios moving forward if this Tar Heel offense is going to be able to function the way that they need to to win games.

The reason for hope with this Tar Heel team is what they are doing on the defensive side of the ball. After struggling through the first five games of the season with effort and fundamentals, the team has found a groove that has seen them making plays on first and second down putting the opponents into 3rd & long situations that are more advantageous for this defense. The run defense has been spectacular for the majority of the season thanks to what the interior of the defensive line is doing. The rotation of Leroy Jackson, Isaiah Johnson, CJ Mims and D’Antre Robinson are winning their 1-on-1 matchups consistently, resulting in plays being made at or just beyond the line of scrimmage and, last week, the group found more success rushing the passer. With the team winning on early downs, it has allowed for pass rushers like Melkart Abou-Jaoude and Tyler Thompson to pin their ears back and get after the quarterback, resulting in lesser output for opposing passing games in each of the last two weeks. The secondary has benefited heavily from the added pressure from the defensive line and, even without its best player in Thad Dixon, has begun to find its stride. The tackling from this unit has been better, resulting in fewer yards after the catch and the coverage as a whole has looked better from everyone, including Jaiden Patterson and Jalon Thompson who have combined to fill Dixon’s shoes. Linebacker may still be the overall strength of the unit, though, led by the trio of Andrew Simpson, Khmori House and Mikai Gbayor who looked really good last week against Virginia.

Special teams has progressed as the season has gone along and looks to be in pretty good shape right now. Punter Tom Maginness has finally found his groove and is punting it really well and the return games are in capable hands with Jaylen McGill and Will Hardy handling kicks and punt returns respectively. Kicker Rece Verhoff is the only real question mark that remains and that’s only because he has struggled a bit with some of his longer field goal attempts.

Syracuse

This season is a tale of two halves so far for Syracuse. You have the first four games of the season where you start 3-1 behind the arm of Steve Angeli, the Notre Dame transfer. Since Angeli suffered an injury in the game against Syracuse, however, the season has taken a turn in the wrong direction with Rickie Collins under center. Collins has struggled with accuracy and turnovers since taking over and is a big part of the reason why the team has scored just 12.5 points per game in the last four contests where the team is 0-4. Because of that, the Orange are going to true freshman Joseph Filardi for tonight’s game. Filardi will have a wide receiving corps that is capable of making things happen but hasn’t been able to thrive in recent weeks. Leading receiver Johntay Cook is the most reliable option to throw to while Darrell Gill Jr. and Justus Ross-Simmons bring the explosive element to the passing game. The team also has one of the more reliable tight ends in the league in Dan Villari, who is second on the team in catches and third in receiving yards. On the ground, the duo of Yasin Willis and Will Nixon form a solid tandem and Collins is a threat with his legs at times, too. The offensive line is a group that has struggled so far this year. They are not a horrible run blocking team, but they certainly could stand to be better. As for pass protection, the group rolls in with similar numbers to what we saw from Virginia a week ago in terms of total pressures allowed, so this should be a unit that the Tar Heels can find a little success against.

Defensively, the Orange have been very hit or miss throughout this season. On the defensive line, guys like Kevin Jobity Jr. and David Reese have had moments where they have been able to win their 1-on-1 matchups, but it just hasn’t been very consistent. The run defense is struggling with opposing teams running right at the interior of this defensive line, which hasn’t graded out great in run defense. As for the linebackers, true freshman Antoine Deslauriers has shown some nice promise alongside Gary Bryant III, who leads the team in tackles. Bryant has been picked on in coverage so far this season and the inconsistencies at safety could mean that the Tar Heels will be able to attack the middle of the field in this game. The team may also find some success against these Syracuse corners who have had some major ups and downs so far this season. Both Chris Peal and Demetres Samuel Jr. have made plays in coverage at times this year, but they have also had their moments where they have been picked on as has nickel corners Davien Kerr and Devin Grant so far this year.

This Syracuse special teams unit is one of the best elements of this team. Tripp Woody has been reliable so far this year kicking field goals for the team while Jack Stonehouse is as good of a punter as you will find in the nation. The return game isn’t explosive, but they have been serviceable enough so far this year.

Team Stats

Tar Heels

Off. PPG: 18.3 (126th)

Off. PYPG: 169.0 (120th)

Off. RYPG: 110.7 (119th)

Off. TYPG: 279.9 (131st)

Off. 3rd Down %: 32.6% (128th)

Off. 4th Down %: 72.7% (T-8th)

Off. Red Zone TD%: 52.4% (T-109th)

Tackles For A Loss Allowed: 37.0 (T-44th)

Sacks Allowed: 11.0 (T-39th)

Def. PPG: 23.9 (T-62nd)

Def. PYPG: 235.0 (93rd)

Def. RYPG: 110.6 (25th)

Def. TYPG: 345.6 (50th)

Def. 3rd Down %: 41.0% (90th)

Def. 4th Down %: 68.6% (T-123rd)

Def. Red Zone TD%: 38.5% (6th)

Tackles for A Loss: 37.0 (T-99th)

Sacks: 14.0 (T-82nd)

Interceptions: 5 (T-68th)

Turnover Margin: -4 (T-107th)

Penalties Per Game: 5.0 (T-24th)

Penalty Yards Per Game: 51.0 (51st)

Syracuse

Off. PPG: 25.4 (T-85th)

Off. PYPG: 285.5 (21st)

Off. RYPG: 112.9 (117th)

Off. TYPG: 398.4 (63rd)

Off. 3rd Down %: 35.7% (109th)

Off. 4th Down %: 50.0% (T-89th)

Off. Red Zone TD%: 56.3% (99th)

Tackles For A Loss Allowed: 39.0 (T-56th)

Sacks Allowed: 20.0 (T-108th)

Def. PPG: 31.3 (115th)

Def. PYPG: 273.9 (130th)

Def. RYPG: 112.9 (117th)

Def. TYPG: 436.4 (124th)

Def. 3rd Down %: 41.1% (91st)

Def. 4th Down %: 43.8% (T-33rd)

Def. Red Zone TD%: 61.3% (73rd)

Tackles for A Loss: 46.0 (T-47th)

Sacks: 16.0 (T-62nd)

Interceptions: 5 (T-68th)

Turnover Margin: -7 (T-122nd)

Penalties Per Game: 6.3 (T-68th)

Penalty Yards Per Game: 56.5 (77th)

Keys to the Game

-Win of First and Second Down

-Take Care of the Football

-Show Progress in the Passing Game

Injury Report

Tar Heels

OUT- Thaddeus Dixon (undisclosed), Cort Halsey (undisclosed), Tyler Houser (undisclosed), Christo Kelly (undisclosed), Henry Martello (undisclosed), Deems May (undisclosed), Chinedu Onyeagoro (undisclosed), Peter Pesansky (undisclosed), Kamarion Thomas (undisclosed), Laderion Williams (undisclosed)

QUEST- Aidan Banfield (undisclosed)

Syracuse

OUT- Steve Angeli (undisclosed), Fran Brown Jr. (undisclosed), Berry Buxton III (undisclosed), Nate Edwards (undisclosed), Jackson Iak (undisclosed), Malachi James (undisclosed), Derek McDonald (undisclosed), Joshua Miller (undisclosed), Rashard Perry (undisclosed), Nate Prater (undisclosed), Tyshawn Russell (undisclosed), Chase Simmons (undisclosed)

QUEST- Gary Bryant III (undisclosed), Austin Collins (undisclosed), Vito Shevchenko (undisclosed), Darien Williams (undisclosed)

PROB- Trey Dudley (undisclosed), TJ Ferguson (undisclosed), Trevion Mack (undisclosed), Byron Washington (undisclosed)

Projected Starting Lineup

Tar Heels

Offense

QB# 7 Gio Lopez, So.

RB#35 Demon June, Fr.

WR-X# 1 Jordan Shipp, So.

WR-SL# 9 Javarius Green, RFr.

WR-Z# 3 Chris Culliver, Jr.

TE#19 Jake Johnson, Jr.

LT#58 Austin Blaske, Sr.

LG#73 Will O’Steen, Sr.

C#69 Chad Lindberg, Sr.

RG#52 Daniel King, Sr.

RT#55 Jakai Moore, Sr.

Defense

DE# 8 Smith Vilbert, Sr.

DT# 6 D’Antre Robinson, So.

DT#92 CJ Mims, Jr.

DE# 9 Melkart Abu-Jaoude, Jr.

WLB# 7 Khmori House, So.

MLB# 2 Andrew Simpson, Sr.

CB#18 Jaiden Patterson, So.

SS# 5 Gavin Gibson, Sr.

FS#31 Will Hardy, Sr.

CB#29 Marcus Allen, Sr.

NB#21 Kaleb Cost, Jr.

Special Teams

PK#90 Rece Verhoff, Sr.

P#96 Tom Maginness, Sr.

KOS#90 Rece Verhoff, Sr.

LS#42 Spencer Triplett, Sr.

H#96 Tom Maginness, Jr.

KR#27 Jaylen McGill, Fr.

PR#31 Will Hardy, Sr.

Syracuse

Offense

QB#13 Joseph Filardi, Fr.

RB# 6 Yasin Willis, So.

WR-X#12 Justus Ross-Simmons, Sr.

WR-Z#15 Darrell Gill Jr., Jr.

WR-SL# 2 Johntay Cook, Jr.

TE#89 Dan Villari, Sr.

LT#75 Trevion Mack, So.

LG#69 TJ Ferguson, Sr.

C#51 Austin Collins, Sr.

RG#78 Joe Cruz, Jr.

RT#57 Da’Metrius Weatherspoon, Sr.

Defense

DE#11 Denis Jaquez Jr., Sr.

NT# 4 Dion Wilson Jr., Sr.

DT#91 George Rooks, Sr.

DE# 8 David Reese, Sr.

WLB# 5 Antoine Deslauriers, Fr.

MLB#13 Gary Bryant III, Jr.

LCB# 1 Demetres Samuel Jr., Fr.

SS# 2 Duce Chestnut, Sr.

FS#23 Devin Grant, Sr.

RCB#16 Chris Peal, So.

NB#10 Davien Kerr, So.

Special Teams

PK#47 Tripp Woody, RFr.

P#41 Jack Stonehouse, Sr.

KOS#47 Tripp Woody, RFr.

LS#61 Ethan Stangle, Jr.

H#41 Jack Stonehouse, Sr.

KR#39 Tylik Hill, Fr.

PR#10 Davien Kerr, So.

Game Information

Kickoff Time: 7:30 PM ET

TV: ESPN

Radio: Tar Heel Sports Network