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Tar Heels Football: Takeaways from UNC vs. Pittsburgh
UNC completed an epic comeback against Pittsburgh in week four. What did we learn from that game?
Last Saturday’s game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Pittsburgh Panthers was one of the most exciting football games I have watched. Ever.
This includes professional football.
I experienced close to every emotion you can feel – happiness, sadness, exciting, passion, love, anger and the list goes on.
No negatives will be discussed during this week’s takeaways from the Pittsburgh game. Only the positives will be discussed just to keep the good vibes going.
Let’s get started.
Sep 24, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Ryan Switzer (3) runs after a catch during the third quarter against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Carolina defeated Pitt 37-36. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Ryan Switzer – North Carolina’s Best Wide Receiver Ever!
Some people may disagree with this caption and say that, “I’m in the moment.”
I have been watching UNC football a long time and have yet to see anyone do the things that Ryan Switzer does on the football. Period.
If you have ever heard of the phrase, ‘Name It and Claim It,’ well, here it goes. Switzer had yet another career day against the Pittsburgh Panthers.
As a freshman, Switzer erupted for two punt returns for touchdowns. One of those touchdowns won the game for the Tar Heels.
On this past Saturday, Switzer did his damage as a wide receiver. His growth and maturity into one of the best wide receivers in the nation makes Switzer a dual threat.
He can hurt a defense as a punter returner and as a wide receiver. Do not forget that Switzer was an all-conference player as a wide receiver AND a punt returner last season.
That was no mistake.
On three of the fourth downs in the fourth quarter (say that five times really fast), UNC quarterback Mitch Trubisky relied on Switzer to get the first downs. Trubisky did not lean on the tallest wideout or the biggest wideout.
He threw to the smallest wide receiver, who he knew would catch the ball. No disrespect to the other UNC wide receivers because they are good at what they do, but Switzer is a cut above the rest.
It should be no surprise that in four games, Switzer has 33 receptions for 429 yards and two touchdowns.
What Switzer lacks in size and illustrated in his guts, playmaking ability, quickness and will to win. Experience Switzer’s career day versus Pittsburgh below.
Sep 24, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) gets sacked by Pittsburgh Panthers offensive lineman Tony Pilato (59) during the third quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Carolina defeated Pitt 37-36. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Mitch Trubisky is North Carolina’s best quarterback in a long time!
The North Carolina Tar Heels are in great hands.
It is not due to Allstate Insurance. It is due to the presence of Mitch Trubisky as their starting quarterback.
I will be honest. I had reservations about Trubisky prior to the season.
Some people told me that they thought he was better than Marquise Williams. I was reluctant to say that…until now. I agree. Beware, though. I love Marquise Williams approach to the game and his leadership. He was a superb quarterback at UNC.
Trubisky is also better than Bryn Renner, Darian Durant, Chris Keldorf, Oscar Davenport, Ronald Curry and Jason Stanicek. This is a bold statement to make because all of these quarterbacks were good.
Renner, Durant and Curry were the exception. They set records at UNC, which illustrates some greatness.
However, Trubisky takes the quarterback position at UNC to another level. You will not see Trubisky overthrow too many wide receivers. As a quarterback, his accuracy is quite accurate.
Trubisky maintains a great deal of poise for someone who has not planned a lot of games in college.
The last drive when Trubisky led UNC to a touchdown shows how good he is and how great he can be. Several times, Trubisky had to make the right decision; the right throw; to the right person.
Some of those fourth down passes could have easily been tipped or batted down, but they were not due to his precision.
When the game was on the line, Trubisky delivered. Sure, he is not the first UNC quarterback to do so. However, name a UNC quarterback who has started a season off like Trubisky has.
Trubisky has started this season completed 102-of-137 passes for 1,306 yards, 10 touchdowns and no interceptions.
Before he graduates from UNC, Trubisky may end up being the quarterback who is the face of football at Carolina. His talent speaks for itself.
Relive all five of his touchdown passes against Pittsburgh below:
Sep 24, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Bug Howard (84) catches the game tying touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Carolina defeated Pitt 37-36. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Don’t sleep on Bug Howard!
Bug Howard was bugging out against Pittsburgh. Howard had one of his best games on Saturday. He hauled in six receptions for 66 yards and two touchdowns.
Both his touchdowns came in the fourth quarter against Pittsburgh.
Howard, Ryan Switzer and Mack Hollins form one of the best receiving trios UNC has ever had. Many people discredit Howard because he does not garner the same amount of press and recognition as Switzer and Hollins.
Do not misconstrue lesser statistics with lesser skill and talent. Howard is a good wide receiver. He has matured into a dependable player who can make an impossible catch to win a game (i.e. against Pittsburgh).
Yes, Howard is 6-foot-5, 210-pounds, which makes him an easy target for Trubisky.
However, Trubisky has to trust Howard a great deal to go to him for the winning touchdown. Trust me when I say that Howard is good enough to play on Sundays season.
Sep 24, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Austin Proehl (7) catches a pass while being defended by Pittsburgh Panthers defensive back Ryan Lewis (38) during the third quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Carolina defeated Pitt 37-36. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Who in the heck is Austin Proehl?????
Austin Proehl has lived in his father’s shadow for quite sometime. His father is retired NFL player Ricky Proehl.
On Saturday, Proehl made a name – for himself. He was second in receptions and yards against Pittsburgh.
Proehl caught seven passes for 99 yards and one touchdown. Safe to say that Austin was Proehlific (prolific), huh?
The diving catch was one of the many remarkable receptions Proehl had on Saturday. Proehl was also one of the recipients of Mitch Trubisky’s fourth down passes that continued North Carolina’s last drive that won the game.
Proehl will get more targets from Trubisky after the Pittsburgh game. His hard work has paid off.
He may not be ‘the man’ this season at North Carolina. However, keep in mind that he is a junior.
Mack Hollins, Ryan Switzer and Bug Howard will graduate after this season. Next season, Austin Proehl will be called upon the lead the wide receiving corps.
Saturday’s game was a step in the right direction for Proehl.
Sep 24, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels linebacker Cayson Collins (23) runs onto the field after defeating the Pittsburgh Panthers at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Carolina defeated Pitt 37-36. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
North Carolina showed a great deal of resolve against Pittsburgh
Remember, I said that I would share no negatives regarding takeaways from this game. I meant that.
However, let’s be honest. North Carolina should have lost to Pittsburgh. The Panthers controlled the game. Pittsburgh’s time of possession was 41:09 compared to UNC’s 18:51.
The Panthers were beating North Carolina 36-23 with 11 minutes left in the game and probably should have wrapped it up.
But that didn’t happen.
On UNC’s final drive, Trubisky completed three passes on three fourth downs to win the game.
North Carolina’s rushing game was nonexistent against Pittsburgh. North Carolina’s running backs T.J. Logan and Elijah Hood accounted for a total of 31 yards on Saturday, which was negated by Trubisky’s -13 yards rushing.
Moreover, UNC’s run defense gave up nearly 300 yards to Pittsburgh’s running backs.
All of these things worked in Pittsburgh’s favor; hence, they should have won the game. Despite Pittsburgh having an advantage, they did not win the game on Saturday. The Tar Heels refused to give up. North Carolina showed their grit against Pittsburgh.
UNC’s defense showed up when the game was on the line in the fourth quarter. They forced stops to get the ball back to the offense. Despite having the ball on offense for a small amount of time, North Carolina moved down the field like a well-oiled machine when the game was on the line.
The Coastal Division of the ACC runs through Chapel Hill once again.
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