Looking Back On Louisville

Tweets of the Day

 - Recruiting Edition -

Butter_Biscuit Buttered Biscuits

Check out new commit OL Bryce Kennedy's (@bigBK75) highlights <http://t.co/xAsAZu1t> Love the push off the snap & how he finishes blocks

TarHeelTimes Tar Heel Times 

Defensive back Tyreece Jiles commits to UNC bit.ly/nFeikM

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Joel James Highlight Video tinyurl.com/3fe4o3o #TarHeels #UNC

Jonathan Cooper leading the team onto the field with the Stars & Stripes.

Looking Back On Louisville

Three Observations

(1)  Tar Heel Battered Fan Syndrome

Tar Heel football fans have taken a beating over the past 16 months.  Last year was supposed to be culmination of Butch Davis's rebuilding efforts . . . then the NCAA showed up in Chapel Hill.  After a great 8-5 season that included the first bowl win since 2001 despite several early round NFL draft picks never playing a down, the worst seemed to be behind us.  UNC leadership had publicly stated support for Coach Davis.  The Blue Zone was about to open.  Recruiting was going very well, despite the NCAA issues and negative recruiting by other schools.  And then the unimaginable happened.  Holden Thorp unilaterally fired Butch Davis days before the start of fall camp.  The timing and handling of the situation could not have been worse.  For every cause, there is an effect.  If you looked at the stands in Kenan on Saturday at kickoff, you saw the effect of having the chancellor firing a beloved head coach days before the season starts and days after the due date for season tickets and Blue Zone licensing fees.

I was there and the frustration was palpable.  Football games are supposed to be fun, but when I got to my seat the only thing I could say what, "WHAT THE FUCK!"  There was no energy.  There were no students.  There was only aluminum and frustration and it carried over to the field.  Just like the crowd, our guys came out flat and didn't execute.  Their futility on the field just exacerbated the frustration, but I blame the crowd.  We need to step it up.  Our guys deserve better, regardless of game time.  Regardless of the frustration of dealing with the past year.  Regardless of your feelings for Holden Thorp.  REGARDLESS, these guys deserve a better showing from the Tar Heel faithful.

This weekend, Miami comes to town and we need an energized crowd.  Unlike Louisville, we will need to beat Miami for four quarters, not two.  And unlike the Lousiville game, we need to make it a hostile environment for the Hurricanes.
 

COME EARLY!  COME ENERGIZED!  COME READY TO GET LOUD!

(2)  Calculated Risk

On Saturday, Kevin Reddick (ankle), Ebele Okapu (ankle) and Cam Holland (back) were held out of the game.  While this is pure speculation, I believe that this was done to get these guys healthy for this key stretch in the schedule and, if it would had been Miami or Virginia Tech, they would have played.  The Heels are still four weeks away from a bye and face Miami, Clemson at Death Valley, Wake Forest and NC State in Raleigh during that stretch.  Rather than push guys that were listed as questionable, I believe the staff may have elected to get some guys some extra rest so they can be ready for these next four games.  This applies particularly to Reddick and not so much to Holland, who didn't practice all week because of a back injury.

In Reddick, Okapu and Holland's absence, Fabby Desir, Darius Lipford and Russell Bodine got some key experience and improved as the game progressed, but Reddick and Holland left a noticeable void.  I have heard and read a lot grumbling about various areas of execution against Louisville, but I think the right decision was made, particularly with Reddick.  Having Reddick at full strength and leading our defense is going to be crucial to our success.

(3)  Winners

Tar Heels get the W.  It was not the way I expected the game to go, but our guys stayed focused and persevered.  Sometimes you got to win ugly and we seem to win ugly against inferior opponents.  It is the mark of a young team when you play down to your opponents, but it is mark of a good team when you can overcome a slow start and dominate the second half for a comfortable win.

First Half

UNC:  Time of Possession - 7:52; Total Offense - 53 yards
Louisville:  Time of Possession - 22:08; Total Offense - 173

Second Half

UNC:  Time of Possession 20:13; Total Offense - 185
Louisville:  Time of Possession 9:47; Total Offense - 70

Sly Williams is playing great in the middle anchoring the defensive line who was the best unit on the field Saturday.