
The Tar Heels officially close out the 2024 season on Saturday morning when they face the Connecticut Huskies in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl. The program is looking for their first bowl win since 2019 while future coach Bill Belichick and his staff will use the game to evaluate the roster. Here is everything that you need to know about the Tar Heels’ first and only game of the Freddie Kitchens era.
Team Breakdowns
Tar Heels
The Tar Heels will head into this game with a lot of questions about who exactly will be playing as they look to break their bowl losing streak. They will have to do so without the help of their star running back, Omarion Hampton, who has chosen to opt out of this game and prepare for April’s NFL Draft instead of chasing the program’s single-season record for rushing yards. That means the team will have a chance to get a serious look at true freshman Davion Gause who will be a big part of the rotation for Belichick next year, as well as Caleb Hood, who withdrew his name from the portal on Friday. Quarterback Jacolby Criswell will be looking to prove to this new staff that he should head into the offseason with the leg up to be next year’s starting quarterback. He will have to shake off the two game slide that he had at the end of the regular season that opened the door for the team to bring in help from the transfer portal. In order to do that, the pass catchers will have to help him out. There is no clarity as to whether or not the Tar Heels will have Bryson Nesbit back for this game after he made a push to play at the end of the regular season, but the rest of the unit should be a full go for this one. It will be interesting to see how the team balances snaps here, especially with guys like J.J. Jones and Nate McCollum, who won’t be back next year, closing out their career and young guys like Chris Culliver, Christian Hamilton and Jordan Shipp trying to prove to the new staff that they are key pieces of the future. On the offensive line, the Tar Heels will have three of their five starters from this season active in this game, but will have to replace right guard Willie Lampkin and left tackle Howard Sampson. At right guard, junior Malik McGowan, the backup at left guard, is available for this game despite entering the transfer portal earlier this week so the staff could choose to utilize him as the starter there and move Aidan Banfield over to that right guard spot. The other option would be to keep Banfield at left guard and let sophomore Zach Rice, the current third-stringer at right guard, get his first career start for the program. At left tackle, true freshman Luke Masterson will probably see the bulk of the snaps at the left tackle spot as he tries to prove to the new staff that he has what it takes to be a starter for this team next season.
On the defensive side of the ball, the team will have to navigate a lot of opt outs and injuries that will allow them to get a good look at the future of this group. The defensive line will have to replace Kaimon Rucker (suffered cracked fibula against NC State) and Jahvaree Ritzie (opted out of game), but will have Travis Shaw (transfer portal) available. On the edge, Beau Atkinson should get plenty of snaps opposite Des Evans, as should fellow non-starter Joshua Harris on the interior alongside Shaw and Kevin Hester Jr. Hopefully, this will also allow some of the young guys in this room to get some playing time, as well, to prove to the new staff that they can be contributors next year. At linebacker, Amare Campbell will play in this game, but they will be without fellow starter Power Echols, meaning a heavy dose of Caleb LaVallee and Michael Short. The defensive back will have all of their resources available besides safety Stick Lane, who opted out of the game after stating his intentions to pursue an NFL career. With so many veterans in this room it will be interesting to see how the staff will balance getting a look at the future and playing the guys best suited to help them win this game.
Special teams will remain intact at the key positions. At placekicker, Noah Burnette is in the transfer portal, but will stick around to handle that role in this game. Punting will still be in the hands of Tom Maginness who had a rough regular season and may need to prove himself to keep the job next year. The return jobs are in good hands with Chris Culliver returning kicks and Alijah Huzzie returning punts. The coverage will have to be on top of their game in this one against one of the most aggressive return units they’ve faced all season.
Connecticut
The Huskies had a very successful season under Jim Mora Jr., but on their way to 8-4, the team failed to beat a single power conference school. The offense was very productive this season, but they will be without a very important piece on this side of the ball in this game. Star running back Durell Robinson will not be available for the game after entering the transfer portal earlier this month. The team will still be able to lean on the running game with leading rusher Camryn Edwards and the explosive Jayden Brown set to carry the load. Quarterback Joe Fagnano isn’t a guy that necessarily takes over games, but his 18-4 touchdown-interception ratio shows that he can manage the game at a high level and make plays when he needs to. The team will have leading receiver Skyler Bell despite him being in the transfer portal and will pair him with second-leading receiver TJ Sheffield to provide a bit of a test for this secondary. The offensive line, which was one of the highest graded units across the board in college football during the regular season, will remain intact led by tackles Chase Lundt and Valentin Senn.
On the other side of the ball, the Huskies will be without starting corner Malcolm Bell, but will be fully stocked outside of that. The linebacking corps is the strength of the unit with the incredibly productive tandem of Jayden McDonald and Tui Faumuina-Brown leading the way. The defensive front is in good shape, especially with the fact that the standout of the group, edge rusher Langston Hardy, appears like he’s going to play despite being in the portal. He’ll team with run stopping defensive tackle Dal’mont Gourdine, who has graded out as one of the top run stoppers in the country during the regular season. The defensive backfield might be the biggest question mark, especially with Bell not playing. Cam Chadwick has graded out very well in coverage, but he has allowed 510 yards and four touchdowns in coverage. Slot corner D’Mon Brinson has also struggled, allowing 564 yards and six touchdowns in 489 coverage snaps. Cornerback Jordan Wright has also played a ton of snaps, though, on the outside and should be seen as a bright spot heading into this game.
The Huskies special teams will provide a test for the Tar Heels. Placekicker Chris Freeman is coming off a solid regular season and punter Connor Stutz has been very steady the entire season. The return games are very dangerous with Jayden Brown providing some fireworks on kick returns and the incredibly aggressive TJ Sheffield returning punts.
Team Stats
Tar Heels
Off. PPG: 32.3 (T-36th)
Off. PYPG: 233.9 (60th)
Off. RYPG: 189.5 (29th)
Off. TYPG: 423.4 (37th)
Off. 3rd Down %: 39.5% (77th)
Off. 4th Down %: 50.0% (T-82nd)
Off. Red Zone TD%: 63.6% (55th)
Tackles For A Loss Allowed: 74.0 (T-90th)
Sacks Allowed: 29.0 (T-87th)
Def. PPG: 28.2 (90th)
Def. PYPG: 232.6 (93rd)
Def. RYPG: 144.4 (56th)
Def. TYPG: 377.0 (78th)
Def. 3rd Down %: 34.8% (36th)
Def. 4th Down %: 50.0% (T-44th)
Def. Red Zone TD%: 59.6% (T-67th)
Tackles for A Loss: 73.0 (T-49th)
Sacks: 39.0 (T-12th)
Interceptions: 9 (T-76th)
Turnover Margin: -1 (T-65th)
Penalties Per Game: 7.4 (T-115th)
Penalty Yards Per Game: 64.8 (114th)
Connecticut
Off. PPG: 32.3 (T-36th)
Off. PYPG: 202.3 (94th)
Off. RYPG: 198.3 (25th)
Off. TYPG: 400.7 (56th)
Off. 3rd Down %: 37.3% (94th)
Off. 4th Down %: 46.7% (T-96th)
Off. Red Zone TD%: 62.5% (T-60th)
Tackles For A Loss Allowed: 47.0 (T-7th)
Sacks Allowed: 12.0 (T-8th)
Def. PPG: 23.8 (T-57th)
Def. PYPG: 223.8 (78th)
Def. RYPG: 135.3 (42nd)
Def. TYPG: 359.1 (56th)
Def. 3rd Down %: 31.2% (9th)
Def. 4th Down %: 50.0% (T-44th)
Def. Red Zone TD%: 45.2 (6th)
Tackles for A Loss: 66.0 (T-72nd)
Sacks: 21.0 (T-88th)
Interceptions: 9 (T-76th)
Turnover Margin: -2 (T-73rd)
Penalties Per Game: 5.4 (T-40th)
Penalty Yards Per Game: 54.6 (86th)
Keys to the Game
Lean on the Run Early
Even without Omarion Hampton active in this game, the run game still remains the strength of this offense. With Criswell trying to recover from a rough finish to the regular season, leaning on Davion Gause and the run to settle the team into this one seems like the smartest plan, especially with the weather forecast expecting rain.
Stop the Connecticut Run Game
The Huskies are one of the most productive running games the team has faced so far this season, but they have not been nearly as successful on the ground against power conference teams. In the four power conference games the team has played, they have averaged just 107.8 rushing yards and that is a recipe that the Tar Heels need to follow if they want to win this game. That will have to start with them winning the battle at the line of scrimmage, something they have done at times this season but will be made more difficult with the members of the unit that won’t be active.
Win the Turnover Battle
We stressed this before the NC State game and that game was just another example of just how much of a difference it has made in wins and losses. In wins, the team has a +7 turnover margin. In losses, the team has a -8 turnover margin. The Tar Heels have to take care of the football first and foremost to have a chance to win this game.
Injury Report
Tar Heels
OUT- Jonathan Adorno (undisclosed), Darwin Barlow (lower body), Liam Boyd (lower body), Power Echols (opt out), Omarion Hampton (opt out), Leroy Jackson (undisclosed), Max Johnson (leg), Willie Lampkin (opt out), Stick Lane (opt out), Julien Randolph (undisclosed), Jahvaree Ritzie (opt out), Kaimon Rucker (lower body), Howard Sampson (transfer portal)
QUEST- Bryson Nesbit (wrist)
PROB- Jacolby Criswell (ribs)
Connecticut
OUT- Malcolm Bell (transfer portal), Bryan Domino (transfer portal), Nick Evers (undisclosed), Tucker McDonald (leg), Durell Robinson (transfer portal), Zakhari Spears (transfer portal), iJarvarius Sims (transfer portal), Nathaniel Wallace-Dilling (transfer portal)
Projected Starting Lineup
Tar Heels
Offense
QB#12 Jacolby Criswell, Jr.
RB#21 Davion Gauss, Fr.
WR-X# 5 J.J. Jones, Gr.
WR-SL# 6 Nate McCollum, Sr.
WR-Z# 8 Kobe Paysour, Jr.
TE#81 John Copenhaver, Gr.
LT#71 Luke Masterson, Fr.
LG#64 Malik McGowan, Jr.
C#58 Austin Blaske, Gr.
RG#68 Aidan Banfield, Fr.
RT#78 Trevyon Green, So.
Defense
DE#10 Des Evans, Sr.
NT#98 Kevin Hester Jr., Gr.
DT# 5 Jahvaree Ritzie, Sr.
RUSH#93 Jacolbe Cowan, Sr.
WLB#34 Caleb LaVallee, RFr.
MLB#17 Amare Campbell, So.
CB#28 Alijah Huzzie, Gr.
BS#31 Will Hardy, Jr.
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#97 Lucas Osada, Fr.
LS#62 Spencer Triplett, Gr.
H#96 Tom Maginness, Jr.
KR# 3 Chris Culliver, So.
PR#28 Alijah Huzzie, Gr.
Connecticut
Offense
QB# 2 Joe Fagnano, Sr.
RB# 7 Jayden Brown, Jr.
WR-X# 1 Skyler Bell, Jr.
WR-Z# 4 Jasaiah Gathings, Jr.
WR-F# 8 TJ Sheffield, Gr.
TE#81 Louis Hansen, Jr.
LT#71 Valentin Senn, Gr.
LG#67 Christopher Fortin, Sr.
C#73 Wes Hoeh, Jr.
RG#78 Carsten Casady, RFr.
RT#75 Chase Lundt, Sr.
Defense
DE#90 Pryce Yates, Jr.
NT#97 Jelani Stafford, Sr.
DT#96 Dal’Mont Gourdine, Sr.
EDGE#19 Langston Hardy, Jr.
WLB#15 Tui Faumuina-Brown, Sr.
MLB#10 Jayden McDonald, Sr.
LCB#13 Cam Chadwick, RFr.
FS# 1 Malik Dixon-Williams, Sr.
SS# 2 Rante Jones, Sr.
CB# 0 Jordan Wright, Sr.
NB# 3 D’Mon Brinson, Jr.
Special Teams
PK#28 Chris Freeman, Gr.
P#17 Connor Stutz, Jr.
KOS#28 Chris Freeman, Gr.
LS#47 Zach Christinat, RFr.
H#17 Connor Stutz, Jr.
KR# 7 Jayden Brown, Jr.
PR# 8 TJ Sheffield, Gr.
Game Information
Kickoff Time: 11:00 AM ET
Weather: 38℉, 51% chance of rain, SW at 3 mph
Betting Line: UNC -2.5
TV: ESPN
Radio: Tar Heel Sports Network
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