Heel Tough Blog: Stock Report- Week 1

Anthony Pagnotta
Sep 3, 2018 · 4 min read
Jim Hawkins- Inside Carolina

The Heels kicked off the 2018 season Saturday afternoon with a gut-wrenching 24–17 loss on the road at Cal. A slow offensive start and a stroke of bad luck on the onside kick recovery that would have given the team a chance to tie the game was what cost the Heels yet another FBS season opener. Let’s take a look at Week One’s Stock Report.

⇧Defense

For the first time in years, this defense took a significant step forward. A run defense and pass rush that has been non-existent for the longest time, was the backbone of a defensive performance where the group allowed just 17 points and 279 yards of total offense. This is the start this unit needed.

⇩Nathan Elliott

After a strong finishing stretch to last season and an offseason that left many people feeling confident heading into the game, Saturday was not the start Elliott was hoping for. Elliott finished with 185 yards of total offense, but completed just 15 of his 35 pass attempts and posted a 1–4 touchdown to interception ratio. A pick-six in the second quarter ended up ultimately being the deciding factor in the loss. Elliott must rebound quickly this Saturday at East Carolina.

⇧Dominique Ross

Amongst a defense that played sensational, Ross was the standout player for the Heels on Saturday. Ross finished with 5 total tackles on the day, but was even better in pass defense, as he led the team in pass deflections with four. Ross was all over the field on Saturday and put to rest any concerns that people may have had about him entering the season.

⇩Offensive Line

Despite a ton of excitement around this group as the team closed fall camp, the offensive line got off to a rough start. The tackles, William Sweet and Charlie Heck, both has solid outings, but even had their struggles at times. The concern is inside, where the right guard spot and Nick Polino both had tough days. The group settled down a little bit in the second half, but must be much better than they showed Saturday going forward.

⇩Offensive Play Calling

It’s been a big concern for many fans for the last two seasons and Saturday’s game didn’t do much in the way of easing concern. The first half play calling was not one that many fans should be happy with. From the long pass plays on 3rd and medium with a quarterback that is known not to have the strongest arm, to not running a quarterback that thrives best when he is able to a part of the running game. The offense for the most part seemed predictable to the Bears throughout most of the game.

⇩Receiving Corps

The unit that many believed would return to form after the amount of injuries it suffered a year ago really struggled on Saturday. Out of the 15 completions from Elliott, only six of those were caught by wide receivers, with only three receivers registering a reception. While not all of that is on the receivers, it seemed the Heels continued their struggles to create separation. Better offensive line play will allow the receivers more time to get open, but creating separation through route running will be important.

⇧Antonio Williams

Williams started the game for the Heels and despite only tallying 47 yards on 17 carries, Williams showed that if the offensive line can create running lanes, he can handle the workload. If those two or three yard runs can become six or seven yard runs, Williams could have a strong year.

⇧Defensive Line

This unit was expected to be a talented one headed into the fall, but with the suspensions and an injury to Aaron Crawford, expectations were tempered a bit. However, Saturday provided a better performance by the unit than any they had a year ago. Malik Carney, who will miss the next three games due to suspension, led the way with an 8 tackle, 3.0 TFL, 2.0 sck performance on Saturday. The defensive tackles did a good job of penetrating the Bears offensive line and forcing the Bears to the edge in rushing situations. Overall, a strong start for this unit.

⇧Johnathan Sutton

The hit. That is all.

⇩Luck

Let’s start with the fact that the Heels have not won an season opener over an FBS opponent since 2000. The bad breaks continued on Saturday as the Heels were unable to break a streak that will now extend to 19 years and will hope to be broken next season against South Carolina. Not to mention, the Heels recovered an onside kick with 1:13 to go that was called back on a questionable illegal block call on Kayne Roberts. Luck just doesn’t seem to be on this football programs side at the moment.

⇩Larry Fedora’s Job Security

As we mentioned above, Fedora is still winless in FBS openers, and with the loss, drops to 2–13 in his last 15 games against FBS opponents. Since November 5, 2016’s win over Georgia Tech, Fedora and the Heels have posted a 4–13 record. Saturday’s game has quickly become the most important of the Fedora era. The result will determine a lot about the direction of the program and the temperature of Fedora’s seat.

Heel Tough Blog

A blog covering everything North Carolina Tar Heels football

Anthony Pagnotta

Written by

Bleed Tar Heel Blue. Writer and Owner of Heel Tough Blog. Writer for the Enquirer Journal NYG.NYM. NYR. NYK. NY✈️NC

Heel Tough Blog

A blog covering everything North Carolina Tar Heels football

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