North Carolina Looking To Bounce Back As They Travel To Georgia Tech
After yet again falling to their tobacco rival Duke for the second season in a row a week ago at Kenan Memorial Stadium, North Carolina will now hit the road looking to redeem themselves as they play at Georgia Tech Saturday.
As for their last game, North Carolina lost to their tobacco road rival who is eight miles down the road in Durham that dropped them to 1-3 while they're 0-2 in conference play. "according to http://goheels.com/schedule.aspx?path=football
Shaun Wilson ran 1 yard for the go-ahead touchdown midway through the fourth quarter, Bryon Fields returned an interception 61 yards for the game-sealing score and Duke beat North Carolina 27-17 on Saturday. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2017/9/23/football-tar-heels-fall-to-blue-devils-27-17.aspx?path=football
The Blue Devils (4-0, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) matched their victory total from last year, prolonged their best start since 2014 and kept possession of the Victory Bell traveling trophy by beating the rival Tar Heels (1-3, 0-2) for the second straight year — just the second time that's happened since 1989. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2017/9/23/football-tar-heels-fall-to-blue-devils-27-17.aspx?path=football
Daniel Jones was 18 of 32 for 202 yards with a 28-yard touchdown pass to Davis Koppenhaver and a key 45-yard pass to T.J. Rahming to start the drive that ended with Wilson's TD. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2017/9/23/football-tar-heels-fall-to-blue-devils-27-17.aspx?path=football
Chazz Surratt ran 56 yards for a touchdown and threw a 45-yard TD pass to Anthony Ratliff for North Carolina, but followed Wilson's short scoring run with the play of the game — his odd-looking interception to Fields, who returned it down the left sideline for his school-record fourth career pick-six with 4:01 remaining. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2017/9/23/football-tar-heels-fall-to-blue-devils-27-17.aspx?path=football
Austin Parker kicked field goals of 27 and 24 yards for Duke. Freeman Jones kicked a 34-yard field goal for the Tar Heels. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2017/9/23/football-tar-heels-fall-to-blue-devils-27-17.aspx?path=football
THE TAKEAWAY
Duke: The Blue Devils' defense, which entered as the nation's best against the run, once again got away with giving up big plays. Duke allowed passes covering 35, 45 and 47 yards in addition to the 56-yard rush by Surratt. A week ago, Baylor had scoring plays that covered 44, 73 and 79 yards. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2017/9/23/football-tar-heels-fall-to-blue-devils-27-17.aspx?path=football
North Carolina: The Tar Heels will bemoan both the interception and the run of injuries that continue to plague the team. They ruled three starters out with season-ending injuries in the days leading up to this game — then lost top receiver Austin Proehl after his early 47-yard catch. WR Rontavius Groves was hurt early in the fourth quarter of his first college game, clutching his right knee after he planted it while trying to make a catch. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2017/9/23/football-tar-heels-fall-to-blue-devils-27-17.aspx?path=football
As for Georgia Tech's last game, they defeated Pittsburgh and have a record of 2-1 while they're 1-0 in the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
With the game tied at 7 in the second quarter, Marshall used a spin move to dodge Pittsburgh safety Damar Hamlin on an 18-yard run to the 1. Marshall scored on a keeper the next play. "according to http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/092317aaa.html
Georgia Tech held the ball almost 20 minutes in the first half. The Panthers stayed close with a few big plays, including an 80-yard punt return for a touchdown by Quadree Henderson. Henderson found a wall when he changed direction and ran left toward the Pittsburgh sideline. A devastating block by Damar Hamlin on Parker Braun helped Henderson find an open field. "according to http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/092317aaa.html
Henderson's big play tied the game at 14-all. Benson's first touchdown run, from the 5, gave Georgia Tech the lead. "according to http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/092317aaa.html
Jordan Whitehead, the strong safety returning from a three-game suspension for a violation of team rules, had a 30-yard gain on an end-around run to set up DiNucci's 28-yard touchdown pass to Quadree Ollison. "according to http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/092317aaa.html
Alex Kessman made a 55-yard field goal for Pittsburgh to end the first half. "according to http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/092317aaa.html
Georgia Tech's Quaide Weimerskirch scored on a 19-yard run in the third quarter - the longest run and first touchdown for the sophomore. "according to http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/092317aaa.html
THE TAKEWAY
Pittsburgh: DiNucci showed promise on his first drive but for the most part looked like a first-time starter. The Panthers couldn't generate a running attack to help the sophomore. Pittsburgh's only run for 10 or more yards was Whitehead's 30-yard gain on the trick play. Pittsburgh's young defense, with only two seniors, was consistently frustrated by Georgia Tech's option runs. Most of Benson's yards came on power runs straight at the line. "according to http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/092317aaa.html
''Our defense was just on the field too long today,'' Narduzzi said. "according to http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/092317aaa.html
Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets' top-ranked running game showed its depth and big-play ability. The Yellow Jackets already had topped their average of 372 yards rushing before the final quarter. Perhaps more encouraging for Georgia Tech's ACC outlook was the play of its defense. The Yellow Jackets allowed no points on four lost fumbles. "according to http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/092317aaa.html
Georgia Tech (2-1, 1-0) ran for 436 yards with five touchdowns. "according to http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/092317aaa.html
The Yellow Jackets overcame four lost fumbles, including two by Benson. Georgia Tech's defense allowed no points on the four turnovers. "according to http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/092317aaa.html
''If it weren't for the defense, we wouldn't have won this game,'' Marshall said. ''Let's be real. ... You can't ask for much more.'' "according to http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/092317aaa.html
Georgia Tech controlled the clock, holding the ball 35 minutes, with its spread-option attack. The Panthers were successful on only 1 of 13 third-down plays. "according to http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/092317aaa.html
''When you don't move the ball against Georgia Tech, the way they hold the ball, you're in deep, deep trouble,'' said Pittsburgh coach Pat Narduzzi. "according to http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/092317aaa.html
Benson wore down the Pittsburgh defense with his 29 carries. "according to http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/092317aaa.html
''We expect to run for at least 300 yards every game,'' Benson said. ''That's our goal.'' "according to http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/092317aaa.html
Benson lost his second fumble inside the Pittsburgh 5 midway through the fourth quarter. He had a 47-yard scoring run about two minutes later. "according to http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/092317aaa.html
Pittsburgh (1-3, 0-1) made a change at quarterback, starting Ben DiNucci over senior Max Browne. DiNucci completed 12 of 19 passes for 110 yards with one touchdown. Browne took over in the fourth quarter and completed 10 of 15 passes for 89 yards. "according to http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/092317aaa.html
Narduzzi said he will take a ''status quo'' approach on his quarterbacks ''and find out who has the best week of practice and who gives us the best chance to win a football game.'' "according to http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/092317aaa.html
The Panthers' weak running game offered no balance. Seven Pittsburgh rushers netted only 37 yards on 20 carries. "according to http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/092317aaa.html
Georgia Tech held the ball almost 20 minutes in the first half. The Panthers stayed close with a few big plays, including an 80-yard punt return for a touchdown by Quadree Henderson. Henderson found a wall when he changed direction and ran left toward the Pittsburgh sideline. A devastating block by Damar Hamlin on Parker Braun helped Henderson find an open field. "according to http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/092317aaa.html
Henderson's big play tied the game at 14-all. Benson's first touchdown run, from the 5, gave Georgia Tech the lead. "according to http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/092317aaa.html
Jordan Whitehead, the strong safety returning from a three-game suspension for a violation of team rules, had a 30-yard gain on an end-around run to set up DiNucci's 28-yard touchdown pass to Quadree Ollison. "according to http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/092317aaa.html
Alex Kessman made a 55-yard field goal for Pittsburgh to end the first half. "according to http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/092317aaa.html
Georgia Tech's Quaide Weimerskirch scored on a 19-yard run in the third quarter - the longest run and first touchdown for the sophomore. "according to http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/092317aaa.html
THE TAKEWAY
Pittsburgh: DiNucci showed promise on his first drive but for the most part looked like a first-time starter. The Panthers couldn't generate a running attack to help the sophomore. Pittsburgh's only run for 10 or more yards was Whitehead's 30-yard gain on the trick play. Pittsburgh's young defense, with only two seniors, was consistently frustrated by Georgia Tech's option runs. Most of Benson's yards came on power runs straight at the line. "according to http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/092317aaa.html
''Our defense was just on the field too long today,'' Narduzzi said. "according to http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/092317aaa.html
Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets' top-ranked running game showed its depth and big-play ability. The Yellow Jackets already had topped their average of 372 yards rushing before the final quarter. Perhaps more encouraging for Georgia Tech's ACC outlook was the play of its defense. The Yellow Jackets allowed no points on four lost fumbles. "according to http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/092317aaa.html
Will North Carolina be able to defend Georgia Tech's triple option and bounce back from their loss to Duke? Will Georgia Tech execute their game plan and run all over North Carolina like they did against Pittsburgh last week?
Kick-off is set for 12:00 pm. The game will be televised on ESPN2. "according to http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-footbl/sched/geot-m-footbl-sched.html