UNC chasing elusive Win at Syracuse

by Sharon Thorsland

North Carolina will try once again to get back in the win column this week. The Tar Heels (2-5, 0-3 ACC) are on the road at Syracuse for a Halloween match up with the Orange. Both teams are looking to snap four game losing streaks. The Tar Heels are coming off a brutal overtime loss to Virginia (I’m still trying to figure out why Bill Belichik went for two!), while the Orange (3-5, 1-4) fell to Georgia Tech last week.

Kick-off is set for 7:30 Friday night on WBT.

This doesn’t look to be a high-scoring affair. UNC hasn’t scored more than 20 points against an FBS team this season, and Syracuse has managed just 50 points total over the past four games. The Orange started the season strong with quarterback Steve Angeli directing the offense. They went 3-1, including a win over Clemson. But they lost Angeli to a torn Achilles in that game and it’s been downhill ever since. Rickie Collins took over at quarterback and the Orange has yet to win a game since. Coach Fran Brown has hinted this week that the struggling Collins might be replaced by Luke Carney, who is a dual threat who can also run. Whoever is running the offense will have an excellent target in receiver Johntay Cook, who’s picked up 501 yards on 39 receptions with two touchdowns. The run game is anchored by Yasin Willis, who has 429 yards and four touchdowns.

Gio Lopez continues to struggle for the Tar Heels, he’s thrown just four touchdowns and five interceptions. He’ll face a Syracuse defense that has struggled against the pass, allowing 274 yards per game, that’s 8th worst in the country. Cornerback Devin Kerr is a stud though; he has three interceptions. The Orange haven’t fared much better against the run, giving up 4.8 yards per carry, that’s last in the ACC. Defensive tackle Kevin Jobity, Jr. is the star of the front seven, he’s got five sacks. Linebackers David Omopariola and Gary Bryant are hard hitters.

These teams last met in 2023, a 40-7 UNC win. I seriously doubt the score will be that lopsided this time, as neither team has much offense going right now. But the Tar Heels have the edge defensively in this one and certainly played much better against Virginia last week. I think they ride that momentum and come home with a Halloween victory. Go Tar Heels!