The game has the potential to be much more exciting than a UNC-FCS game has any right to be, but hopefully the Heels get through without too much trouble. “Now as you see him get more comfortable, you’re seeing Mitch Trubisky come out now”. He has thrown 156 passes without an interception, breaking a record that had stood since 1997. Against James Madison, Trubisky threw touchdown passes of 75 yards (to Ryan Switzer) and 71 yards (to Mack Hollins).
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Then the Tar Heels allowed a 65-yard touchdown run on the third snap against the Illini, though they tightened up and allowed 117 yards rushing the rest of the night in the 48-23 win.
“I’m really pleased with the way he played”, the coach continued.
After a less-than-ideal start defensively – UNC trailed 21-14 in the first quarter – the Tar Heels outscored the Dukes 21-0 in the second quarter on their way to a performance on offense that was reminiscent of other near-flawless exhibitions in recent years against Football Championship Subdivision teams. The Tar Heels ended their first eight full drives with touchdowns and averaged 11.6 yards per play through their first drive of the second half. The bad news is they couldn’t get Trubisky off the field, though they won’t see an offense like UNC’s in Colonial Athletic Association play, either. IL did have 182 yards on the ground, but 65 of those came on one play just 1:25 into the game.
NORTH CAROLINA: This was a reminder of what UNC’s offense can do after some uneven moments against Georgia and IL.
In general, the mood amongst the UNC players following the game didn’t exactly fit for a team that just put up video game numbers easily.
The Tar Heels were without tackle Naz Jones – who tweeted that he had a concussion – and end Tomon Fox due to injuries.
Fedora was irked by the Tar Heels’ five unsportsmanlike-conduct penalties among 10 penalties for 110 yards. “So we’ll get that corrected”. Junior Allen Artis, a reserve who played on special teams, was suspended indefinitely once charges were filed Tuesday.
JAMES MADISON: The Dukes, who won a share of the Colonial Athletic Association title past year, open league play at ME in the first meeting since 2012.
“They probably watched our film and thought, ‘Oh these guys may not be that good in the run defense, they gave up all those yards to Nick Chubb, ‘ all that type of stuff”, UNC linebacker Andre Smith said. “So those guys are going to have to continue to grow within the defense, and I think they are”. But the banged-up defense isn’t in a great spot entering Atlantic Coast Conference play after allowing 495 yards.
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Last time: UNC has won their two previous meetings, defeating JMU 37-14 back in 2007 and then again in 2011, 37-14.
