The Good, The Bad & The Ugly: Post-Rutgers Stats

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

Post-Rutgers Stats Edition

The Good

UNC is 2-0.

Offense

• Tar Heels had 405 yards of total offense against Rutgers.

• Bryn Renner went 20-26 for 273 yards for an average of 10.5 per attempt. 

• Renner is also 12th nationally in passing efficiency (.875) and 28th nationally in total offense (284 ypg).

Gio Bernard is too good to not have a nickname.

• Gio Bernard ran for 81 yards and 2 TDs on 16 carries for an average of 5.1 yards per carry.

• Bernard is 15th nationally in scoring (12 ppg).  Bernard is a "don't blink, you don't want to miss it" running back.

• Dwight Jones had 6 catches for 135 yards and a touchdown, averaging 22.5 yards per catch

• Jones is 18th nationally in receptions (7.5 rpg) and 15th nationally in receiving yards (125.50 ypg).

• The offensive line has yet to give up a sack and Tar Heel ball carriers (including wide receivers) are averaging 5.32 per tot when you factor out Renner's runs (because no way he has any designed runs).   

• UNC is 24th nationally in 3rd down conversion percentage, converting 47.4% of 3rd downs on 9 of 19 attempts.  

• While 47th nationally in scoring, UNC is 107th in 3rd down attempts and has yet to go for it on 4th down.  

• UNC has scored on 10 of 18 offensive possessions that did not end with a turnover, with 9 touchdowns on 24 total offensive offensive possessions (9 TDs, 1 FG, 6 punts, 6 turnovers, 2 clock run outs).  Pretty good offensive efficiency. 

Gio Bernard acknowledging his lead blocker.  Good read.

 Mother inspires Heels' Bernard on every play

Defense

• Kareem Martin had a great game on Saturday and was recognized as the defensive player of the game.

• Rutgers was held to 1 yard rushing on 25 attempts. 

"You say hello.  I say good bye."  Bye Huggins.  Enjoy Rutgers.

• UNC is 14th nationally in total team defense (227.5 ypg) and 3rd in rush defense (30 ypg).

• UNC is 5th nationally in sacks (9 for 44 yards lost).   

• Zach Brown is 11th nationally in sacks (2.5).

• Quinton Coples is 18th nationally in sacks (2.0).

Got to give it to Rutgers QB Chris Dodd.  He kept getting up.

Special Teams

• TJ Thorpe returned 5 kicks for 155 yards and an average starting field position of UNC 32 yard line for returned kicks against Rutgers.

• Thorpe is 28th in the country in kickoff returns with an average of 26.75 yards per return.

• Thomas Hibbard had 3 punts on the game and none of those punts were returned (indicative of good hang time)against Rutgers.

• With only 5 punts on the year, Hibbard is averaging 40.6 yards per punt on the year.

The Bad

Mohamed Sanu had 13 catches for 119 yds.

• Against Rutgers, we couldn't get off the field, allowing Rutgers to move the chains on 3rd or 4th and long (8 or more to go) on 5 of 12 opportunities.  This is unacceptable for a defense as talented as this.  Whether it is schematic or personnel, changes need to be made to sure up the defense on passing downs. 

• Average field position for Rutgers on kick offs was on the Rutgers' 30.75 yard line.  The kicks are not getting deep enough and this hurts the coverage team, who also has room for improvement. 

• Against Rutgers, 5 turn overs - 3 INTs and 2 fumbles lost.  The football was on the ground more than twice and we were lucky to recover the fumbles.  Ball security and field position are how you loose football games when you are dominating the line of scrimmage and every offensive category. 

• MBPO - Missed Big Play Opportunities.  Not taking advantage of turnover opportunities when presented, Merletti and Heffernan had great opportunities at potential Pick-6s and could not come up with the interceptions.  With the dominance of our defensive line, we need to start winning the turnover margin category by capitalizing on the opportunities. 

• Bryn Renner took way too may hits on Saturday. 

• The officiating was the worst I have ever seen against Rutgers.  The list of bad and phantom calls from the Big Least crew that officiated the game that went against us was looooooong.  However, good teams don't let official beat them.  WHAT! Scoreboard!

• In two weeks with one of the most dominant defensive lines in college football, there has yet to be a hold call against an opposing offense we are facing.   Huh?  That can't be right.  

• UNC is currently tied for 30th nationally for penalties with 14, 23rd for penalty yards with 129, and 8th nationally for penalties on first down with 5.  Obviously, we need to clean this up.  

The Ugly

• Aluminum bleachers - even if it is hot, get to the game.  Support this team - get to the Hill early for the Old Well Walk and stay through the final whistle to sing Hark the Sound with me.

This RIDICULOUS! Our players deserve better.