UNC looks to get Back on Track vs. UVA
by Sharon Thorsland
North Carolina is back home on Saturday for a match-up with Virginia in the latest edition of the South’s Oldest Rivalry. The Cavaliers are ranked #16 in the country, and bring a 6-1 record into Kenan Stadium, including a 3-0 mark in ACC play. The Tar Heels (2-4, 0-2 ACC) are coming off yet another loss, this time to Cal, although they did look more competitive than they have in their prior losses. Kick-off is set for noon on WBT.
While the Tar Heels have been struggling all season, the Wahoos are having one of their best seasons in recent memory. They boast a high-powered offense that is averaging more than 40 points per game, that’s first in the ACC. Quarterback Chandler Morris (a North Texas transfer) has racked up over 1600 yards and 11 touchdowns, and he’s only been sacked five times all year. A trio of grad transfer receivers are his favorite targets in Trell Harris, Jahmal Erdrine, and Cam Ross. Harris leads the way with 405 yards on 28 catches, three of them touchdowns. Ross also has 28 receptions and two scores, while the 6’3 grad transfer Jahmal Erdrine, he’s got 26 grabs and a score. They’ll present a challenge for this Tar Heels defense, which has given up over 240 yards per game through the air.
Virginia’s rushing attack is also lethal. The Cavaliers average more than 200 yards per game on the ground, led by J’Mari Taylor. He has 527 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. To put that in perspective, UNC’s entire team has scored only 13 total touchdowns. One bright spot in all of this – UNC ranks 36th in the nation in rushing defense allowing just 119 yards per game. Virginia’s defense is giving up a lot of yards, 350 per game, but they buckle down when it counts – they’re giving up just 23.3 points per game, and are particularly stingy on third down with a 26% conversion rate for opponents, that’s 9th in the nation. They’ve also forced 11 turnovers. The Tar Heels have struggled to score against Power Four opponents, and things won’t get any easier against the Cavaliers.
UNC has won three of the last four meetings overall against Virginia, but the Cavaliers have the edge in recent matchups in Chapel Hill, winning three of the last four. But anything can happen in this rivalry, which first started way back in 1892. Just two years ago unranked Virginia came into Chapel Hill and upset then-10th ranked UNC. The reverse could happen this go around – go Tar H
