Nick Chubb returns from injury and Sony Michel has also been cleared to play after breaking his arm.
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UNC’s pass defense has held its own through 30 minutes, but another big half from Chubb could bury the Tar Heels in the second half. Smart was aware that the Georgia faithful are eager to see Eason, who was one of the top pro-style quarterback recruits in the 2016 recruiting class.
Keep in mind, now, Chubb is healed.
The other good part about this opener: As much as Smart learned about his team, he can’t be thinking, “That’s as good as we’ll ever play”.
Georgia’s secondary did get lucky on two deep balls in the first half.
A penalty on Fedora for questioning a penalty call pushed UNC back near its goal line.
“I didn’t know where I was at at any given point – carries, yards”.
“I’m convinced he’s our guy, so there’s no question about that”, Fedora said, via USA Today. “That’s how I feel like it is”. The Bulldogs did get a contribution from freshman running back Brian Herrien who put the Bulldogs up 14-7 with a 19-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. The Dawgs play FCS side Nichols State next week, but then face three starkly different challenges to start SEC play: Missouri’s tough defense and Ole Miss’ passing game, both on the road, and Tennessee.
Chubb had already rushed for 167 yards on 31 carries. He had 59 rushing yards on 22 touches out of the backfield. Carolina has veteran defensive backs, a dynamic rushing attack and far more continuity across the board. North Carolina TB Elijah Hood was third in the ACC previous year in rushing (1,463 yards) to go with 17 touchdowns.
For North Carolina, Trubisky hit 24-of-40 throws, but for just 156 yards. While the junior’s spot in the national conversation will be decided over the stretch of a long season, his health and availability masks some of the concerns for the Bulldogs. Receiver Mack Hollins must sit out the first two quarters after receiving a targeting penalty in a bowl loss to end last season. There were a lot of doubters when they ball got kicked off and run back to start the second half. If this game is any indication, he’s just getting started. The Tar Heels should look to push the tempo and jump ahead early to take Georgia out of its comfort zone on offense.
Ham converted all four extra points, but was wide left on a 42-yard field goal try in the third quarter. From there, Logan followed up his return with a 21 yard scoring run to increase the lead to 24-14. Nick Chubb might prove his doubters wrong and have a big game, but Greyson Lambert is going to struggle as the Tar Heels pull out a close one.
Lambert may have been Kirby Smart’s first choice, but the Georgia fans have spoken and they want Eason next week.
The Georgia Bulldogs and North Carolina Tar Heels will go head to head in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game on Saturday.
With Georgia running away with the game, however, the timeout ultimately didn’t matter.
Chubb’s final touchdown dash, his 32nd and last carry of the game, left him at 222 yards, a CFA Kickoff Classic record and the third 200-yard effort of his career.
There’s nothing wrong with that guy’s knee.
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“That dude doesn’t stop”, Jones said. “[Chubb] went out there and showed up. He’s probably the best quarterback that nobody knows about, and it’s nearly like he’s a returning starter because of how much he played”. After a solid defensive stand, it looked like it was going to be all North Carolina thanks again to Logan.
