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Tar Heels Football: Takeaways from UNC vs. James Madison
There were some positives and negatives in UNC’s win versus James Madison.
First, Mitch Trubisky is SCARY GOOD.
Trubisky completed 24-of-27 passes for 432 yards and three touchdowns. He connected on touchdowns with Mack Hollins, Bug Howard and Ryan Switzer.
He picked their defense apart at will on Saturday, completing passes to 12 different receivers in the game.
Trubisky had a career day against James Madison.
The irony here? Trubisky is a junior quarterback who is just getting warmed up.
We have not seen the best from him yet. Again, Trubisky is scary good. Outside of Louisville’s Lamar Jackson, do not be surprised to see Trubisky’s name as an all-conference player as a quarterback if he continues to put up big numbers.
Sep 17, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; James Madison Dukes running back Cardon Johnson (25) with the ball as North Carolina Tar Heels cornerback M.J. Stewart (6) and linebacker Andre Smith (10) defend at Kenan Memorial Stadium. The Tar Heels defeated the James Madison Dukes 56-28. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
UNC’s defense needs to improve!
The final score does not indicate the uphill struggle that the North Carolina Tar Heels faced in the first half.
James Madison led North Carolina 21-14 in the first quarter. Yes, the first quarter.
The Dukes of James Madison resembled the Dukes of Hazzard on Saturday at times and it turned out to be a gunslinging match, until the second quarter at least.
North Carolina overcame two first quarter deficits to lead at halftime 35-21. Despite winning the game, giving up 21 points in the first half (let alone the first quarter) is unacceptable.
North Carolina’s run defense continues to disappoint.
James Madison tallied 495 yards of total offense; another eyesore for the Tar Heels’ defense with 286 of James Madison’s total yards came from their rushing attack.
James Madison’s running back Khalid Abdullah rushed 18 times for 116 and two touchdowns.
Abdullah scored his two touchdowns in the first quarter, looking impressive. Fellow running back Cardon Johnson ran the ball 15 times for 72 yards. Abdullah averaged 6.4 yards per carry whereas Johnson averaged nearly five yards per carry.
North Carolina has to crack down on the run game if they want to play in the ACC Championship in December. Pittsburgh, Florida State and Miami have above-average running backs who will play at the professional level in the future.
Surrendering nearly 500 yards to a mediocre team screams ‘open season’ for opposing running backs of powerhouse teams.
Sep 17, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back T.J. Logan (8) scores a touchdown as James Madison Dukes safety Jordan Brown (44) defends in the first quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
T.J. Logan continues to be on fire!
Perhaps T.J. Logan is a genetically mutated human being, similar to Marvels X-Men Wolverine (whose government name is Logan). Logan has proven that he is a genetic freak; a freak of nature; a man amongst boys on the football.
Logan rushed nine times for 41 yards and three touchdowns. In addition, he caught two passes for 44 yards.
Logan is having the best year of his four year career at North Carolina. He truly saved the best for last.
What’s next for Logan? More touchdowns for sure!
Sep 17, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Elijah Hood (34) runs as James Madison Dukes cornerback Rashad Robinson (22) and linebacker Brandon Hereford (49) defend at Kenan Memorial Stadium. The Tar Heels defeated the James Madison Dukes 56-28. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Elijah Hood and T.J. Logan are a top-notch backfield!
Hood and Logan ripped the James Madison defense like they were a phone number. Hood rushed 18 times for 116 yards and two touchdowns. Logan followed up with nine carries for 41 yards and three touchdowns.
Hood and Logan could have done more offensively if they had more time. Due to scoring so frequently, North Carolina was giving the ball back to James Madison — a lot.
North Carolina’s offense was clicking on all cylinders Saturday afternoon. Let’s hope that they can do the same against their tough opponents.
Sep 17, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Ryan Switzer (3), quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10), wide receiver Bug Howard (84), tight end Carl Tucker (86), and wide receiver Mack Hollins (13) react at Kenan Memorial Stadium. The Tar Heels defeated the James Madison Dukes 56-28. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Hollins, Howard and Switzer starting to show ability to be a top receiving core
Some people are familiar with one or two of these players. The game against James Madison was a great way for all of them to re-introduce themselves…to the nation.
As stated earlier, North Carolina’s offense was clicking on all cylinders on Saturday. Mitch Trubisky made running the offense look easy, but the wide receivers made him look good.
Ryan Switzer caught five passes for 101 yards and one touchdown. Mack Hollins had three receptions for 94 yards and one touchdown. Bug Howard grabbed three catches for 69 yards and one touchdown. All of these receivers averaged over 20 yards per reception in this game.
All three of these receivers scored at least one touchdown against James Madison. Likewise, this trio had individual long catches for over 45 yards. Switzer’s longest catch was a 75-yard touchdown. North Carolina caught James Madison with a flea flicker pass to a wide open Switzer.
Hollins’ longest reception was a 71-yard touchdown pass, also. Hollins blew past his defender easily for a wide open catch.
Although Bug Howard’s longest catch was not a touchdown, his 46-yard grab was quite immaculate. Howard stretched for the catch and reeled it in despite pass interference on the defender.
Opposing defenses cannot double-team any of these wideouts. Playing a zone defense means that you are asking to get pulled apart like monkey bread.
Stay tuned for more from this trio. They accentuate the highly-potent UNC Tar Heel offense!
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