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UNC Football: Takeaways from UNC vs. N.C. State
Nov 20, 2014; Durham, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Larry Fedora questions a call by the officials in their game against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
UNC ends its regular season with a 28-21 loss to the NC State
The Tar Heels couldn’t recover from an early deficit and dropped their final game of the season to the Wolfpack on a day commonly known as “Black Friday”.
As it turned out, it was a fitting name for a day that ended with a disappointing outcome in Chapel Hill.
The victory made N.C. State bowl-eligible and in turn took UNC out of contention for the ACC Championship game.
And although it wasn’t the way that UNC envisioned its senior day going, the Tar Heels still look forward to the opportunity of playing in a bowl game next month.
But before we fully move on to possible bowl games and coaching changes, let’s take a look at several takeaways from this game between long-time in-state rivals.
Nov 25, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels receiver Ryan Switzer (3) runs after a catch during the second half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Kenan Memorial Stadium. The Wolfpack won 28-21. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Ryan Switzer: Best UNC WR ever
North Carolina Tar Heels football reporter/analyst Taylor Vippolis said it best via Twitter this past weekend.
At UNC for WRs… 1st in receptions, 2nd in yards, 5th in touchdowns. That's all-time greatness. No better player, no better teammate. 3️⃣ pic.twitter.com/NAH9Uamm6R
— Taylor Vippolis (@tvippolis) November 26, 2016
Switzer finished the game with 13 receptions for 171 yards and a touchdown. He has just one more game as a Tar Heel, which will be UNC’s bowl game. He’s likely to clinch the all-time receiving yards record for UNC in that game.
In addition to being a great wide receiver, Switzer was terrific as a punt returner throughout his four-year career at North Carolina.
Although he may not take his talents to South Beach, his skills will be on display for football fans to see on Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays for many years to come.
Nov 25, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack fans celebrate a win over the North Carolina Tar Heels at Kenan Memorial Stadium. The Wolfpack won 28-21. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
N.C. State Wolfpack: Most underrated team in the ACC
N.C. State deserves more credit. They won this game outright, despite suspect play-calling and poor execution by the Tar Heels.
The Wolfpack led the game 21-0 in the second quarter at one point. Running back Matthew Dayes rushed 26 times for 104 yards and scored two touchdowns. Wide receiver Stephen Louis had four receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown.
N.C. State used three players at the quarterback position: a quarterback, a running back and a tight end. Starter Ryan Finley missed several players due to a temporary injury. In his absence, tight end Jaylen Samuels threw a 59-yard touchdown to Louis.
State lost four close games to ECU (33-30), No. 3 Clemson (24-17), Boston College (21-14) and No. 22 Florida State (24-20). The Wolfpack could easily have an 8-2 record this season. Moreover, these wins would have given them a spot in the conference championship.
It seems as if the Wolfpack will be back next season with a lot of their existing players, but can UNC say the same?
Oct 3, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive tackle Nazair Jones (90) warms up before their game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Nazair Jones likely to forego senior season?
Rumors have circulated that Tar Heels junior defensive end Nazair Jones will forgo his senior season. Some NFL analysts project Jones as a lock to be selected in the 2017 NFL Draft.
On Twitter, Jones did not acknowledge whether he decided to go pro or not at the moment.
Fans chimed in on the topic as well.
@nazjones90 You do what you feel you need to do man no one would blame you! We love ya regardless
— David Rivero (@D_River_O) November 27, 2016
The jury is out on this story. However, regardless of what he chooses, Nazair Jones has had a solid three years at UNC. He is already one of the best defensive ends to ever play at UNC. One more year would simply add onto his legacy.
Nov 25, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Larry Fedora (center) reacts to a call during the second half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Kenan Memorial Stadium. The Wolfpack won 28-21. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
UNC will not appear in ACC Football Championship
North Carolina’s loss to N.C. State means that they have one more game remaining – their bowl game. The details pertaining to which bowl, when and where it will take place have not been announced yet.
Over a week ago, fellow Keeping It Heel writer/editor Zack Pearson discussed his 2016 bowl projections for UNC. Pearson believes that UNC could face either Tennessee or South Carolina in the Belk Bowl.
The Belk Bowl features the No. 2 ACC team versus the No. 2 SEC team. This game is scheduled to take place on December 29, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina at 5:30pm.
Nov 19, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Larry Fedora on the sidelines at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Decisions loom for Larry Fedora and Mitch Trubisky
There are mixed emotions about UNC head coach Larry Fedora. On social media, some people want Fedora to lose his job. This logic stems from losing winnable games against Georgia, Duke and N.C. State. Many of them disagree with some of Fedora’s play calls as well.
Other people like what Fedora has done while at UNC. He brought Carolina out of a dark place (i.e. several UNC football players suspended in 2010). Fedora’s leadership, good or bad, has a great deal of merit for the university.
He has quietly rebuilt the football program with several standout recruits including Ryan Switzer, Mitch Trubisky, M.J. Stewart, Donnie Miles, Jr., Elijah Hood and several others.
Regardless of how fans feel, Fedora has coached the Tar Heels to 19 wins in two seasons. That’s not too shabby for any head coach, but in particular, a UNC head coach.
The rumor mill has been busy with UNC quarterback Mitch Trubisky, also. Trubisky represents one of the best quarterback prospects in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Oct 15, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) attempts a pass against the Miami Hurricanes during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
If he opts to turn pro, Trubisky will possibly be the highest drafted UNC quarterback in the history of this program.
CBS Sports projects Trubisky as the overall number four pick and the number one quarterback in the draft. Sports Illustrated’s Monday Morning Quarterback columnist Emily Kaplan speaks very highly about Trubisky:
“But in a middling year for top quarterback talent, many have become intrigued by Trubisky’s accuracy, vision and poise under pressure.”
“If he declares, he’s a strong first round consideration.”
Trubisky is the “real deal Holyfield”. If he declares for the NFL Draft, who can blame him? It’s hard to turn down the opportunity when one injury can eliminate your golden ticket to the NFL.
Check back in the coming weeks as Keeping It Heel will notify fans of the latest updates regarding the UNC bowl game as well as possible roster and coaching changes.
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