Preparing for Thursday night’s showdown with South Carolina, The Daily Gamecock talked with Pat James, sports editor of The Daily Tar Heel, to get some inside information about the Gamecocks’ first opponent.
The Daily Gamecock: South Carolina beat North Carolina by 17 (points) two years ago. What does UNC head coach Larry Fedora have to change from a coaching perspective if the Tar Heels are to have a shot this year?
Pat James: In the 2013 matchup against South Carolina, North Carolina struggled to establish its offense early on. UNC spent a majority of the first quarter feeling out the Gamecock defense, utilizing screen passes to quickly get the ball out of quarterback Bryn Renner’s hands and give the Tar Heels’ offensive line a better chance in protection. Those passes resulted in short gains and quick series, as South Carolina marched out to a 17-0 lead. UNC later established more of a rhythm on offense, but the early deficit proved to be too much. With the Gamecocks not having as strong of a pass rush as they did in 2013, the Tar Heels can look to air the ball out early and often in order to get in sync.
TDG: Running back Elijah Hood was a monster in high school and was a good short-yardage option last season. How big of a role will he have in the Tar Heel offense this season?
PJ: When UNC’s depth chart was revealed on Monday, no one was surprised to see Elijah Hood listed as the Tar Heels’ No. 1 running back. Coach Larry Fedora has raved about Hood this offseason, and he recently said the coaching staff has to keep an eye on the sophomore to make sure he doesn’t exhaust himself in practices because of how hard he goes. Quarterback Marquise Williams has led UNC in rushing each of the past two seasons, and Fedora has made it a point of emphasis to establish the running game with the halfbacks in 2015. Hood missed four games because of an injury in 2014, and he reached double figures in carries only three times. But with another year under his belt, Hood will be much more involved in the Tar Heels’ offense this season.
TDG: Everything I'm reading says that quarterback Marquise Williams has improved substantially. What has the senior done that has Chapel Hill fans so excited?
PJ: Coaches and players have praised Marquise Williams for how he has embraced his leadership role as well as the maturity he’s shown so far. Despite 19 career starts, Williams is entering this season as UNC’s definite starter for the first time in his career, and his confidence in himself and his teammates might be at an all-time high. After undergoing offseason surgery to repair a hip injury, he says he is the healthiest he has been since his sophomore year of high school. He led UNC in rushing yards each of the past two seasons, but says he plans on running a little less this season in order to protect his body and get his teammates more involved. Coach Larry Fedora also says Williams’ decision-making process is a lot quicker. Behind an experienced offensive line, the quarterback could continue to improve from his superb 2014 season.
TDG: What has Gene Chizik done to turn around a Tar Heel team that finished 117th in total defense last season?
PJ: Since Chizik was hired, the Tar Heels have transitioned from a complex 4-2-5 defense to a traditional 4-3 scheme. The switch has allowed players to get a better understanding of where they need to be in certain situations, which could result in fewer breakdowns. The new scheme encourages players to play at full speed and be more physical — which is the characteristic Chizik hopes defines his defense. When Chizik and his new staff arrived in the spring, they stressed the fundamentals and took a step-by-step approach to implement the new scheme. Spring practices allowed Chizik to lay the foundation for his defense, and his attention to details has allowed the players to easily grasp the new scheme. Chizik was also tasked with restoring confidence in a unit that was abysmal in 2014, and while Coach Larry Fedoranotes the team hasn’t faced any adversity yet, the Tar Heels sound energized by Chizik and the changes he has brought.
TDG: Who is the X-Factor for the Tar Heels on Thursday?
PJ: The new-look UNC defense will be making its much-anticipated debut on Thursday, and senior linebacker Jeff Schoettmer called the game “a measuring stick” of where the unit stands. For the Tar Heels to find success against the Gamecocks, I believe a strong effort by the UNC defensive line will be necessary. The Tar Heels’ defensive line rarely generated pressure in 2014, and the unit remains a question mark entering this season. The group is one of the deepest on UNC’s roster, however, and players like defensive end Junior Gnonkonde and defensive tackle Nazair Jones could be poised for breakout seasons. Facing Connor Mitch in his first career start, the young, athletic players on the UNC defensive front are determined to rattle the South Carolina quarterback. By forcing Mitch to make quick decisions, the Tar Heels could procure a couple of crucial turnovers in what might be a tight game and set the tone for the season.
