Tar Heels look to get back on track vs. Pitt

by Sharon Thorsland

I’m sure there are a lot of North Carolina fans out there right now saying “what is going on with the Tar Heels.” After getting blown out by JMU, the Heels looked like they were back on track against Duke before coughing up a 20-point third quarter lead and losing 21-20. That dropped them to 3-2 on the season and left everyone wondering what is the problem. We’ll see if they’ve fixed whatever their issues are when they take on an impressive looking Pitt team on Saturday at Kenan Stadium. The Panthers are coming off a bye and are undefeated at 4-0, and are looking for their first ever win in Chapel Hill. Kick-off is set for Saturday at noon.

The Tar Heels are going to have all they can handle with Pitt’s high powered offense. After struggling to score and finishing 3-7 last season, the Panthers are rolling now under new offensive coordinator Kade Bell. They’re ranked fifth in the country averaging a whopping 48.5 points per game behind freshman quarterback Eli Holstein. He’s averaging nearly 344 passing yards per game and has thrown 12 touchdowns. Holstein is also a threat on the ground, rushing for 189 yards and two more scores. He spreads the ball around to multiple receivers – six players have double digit catches, including running back Desmond Reid, a transfer from Western Carolina. Reid is averaging nearly 13 yards per catch and has 167 receiving yards with three touchdowns. The 5-8 dynamo leads the Panther’s ground attack, averaging over 106 yards per game, and he’s also a dangerous punt returner. Not good news for a Tar Heel defense that is reeling after giving up 91 points in the last two games and has struggled against the run for what seems like forever.

There is some good news, though, and it’s named Omarion Hampton. The running back is the heart of this UNC offense, averaging nearly 132 yards on the ground, that leads the ACC and is fifth in the country. He will face a Pitt defense that is fast and aggressive. Star linebackers Kyle Louis and Rasheem Biles lead the way, they’ve combined for four sacks and two interceptions. Senior safety Donovan McMillon leads the team in tackles but the rest of the Pitt secondary is young. If UNC can keep Hampton going there should be opportunities for quarterback Jacolby Criswell to do some damage through the air.

This is no doubt a huge game for North Carolina. It’s homecoming, and the Tar Heels would like to put on a good performance after back to back debacles the past two weeks. History is at least on their side – Pitt is 5-12 all-time against UNC, and is 0-7 in Chapel Hill dating back to 1974. Let’s make it 0-8. Go Tar Heels!