UNC Football: Offensive Keys to the Game against Pitt
UNC fans got what they’d all been waiting for last week – a Heisman Trophy-esque performance from star quarterback Drake Maye.
The Heels won their non-conference finale against Minnesota, 31-13, in large part due to Maye’s 2-touchdown, 414-passing yard performance. Maye developed newfound chemistry with wide receiver Nate McCollum in the victory, as the Georgia Tech transfer caught 15 (over half) of Maye’s passes for a game-high 165 yards and a touchdown.
UNC starting running back Omarion Hampton only gained 46 rushing yards and added a score, but he didn’t need to run for 200 yards for his team to be successful last weekend.
The Heels begin their quest for a second straight trip to the ACC Championship Game this weekend, as they begin conference play with a trip to Pitt on Saturday night (8 p.m., ACC Network). The Panthers are coming off a low-scoring, 17-6 loss to West Virginia in the 106th annual Backyard Brawl.
What exactly does UNC need to accomplish on the field to remain undefeated and start ACC play 1-0?
Drake Maye needs to continue producing
It takes a while for quarterbacks to be at the peak of their game.
For UNC gunslinger Drake Maye, it took just three games.
Maye threw for over 400 yards and two touchdowns in the Heels’ 31-13 victory against Minnesota, connecting with Nate McCollum and Bryson Nesbit on scores. What particularly impressed Heels fans was that Maye’s outing came against a Golden Gophers defense that, entering last Saturday, allowed just 92.5 passing yards per game.
Pitt is going to be equally as tough a challenge for Maye, as the Panthers allow the third-fewest passing yards per game (114) in the entire country. They might be 1-2, but held two of their first three opponents (Wofford, WVU) to under 20 points per game.
Find a way to re-kindle the running game
Omarion Hampton leads the ACC and is 12th nationally with 317 rushing yards.
This is, in large part, thanks to a 234-rushing yard, 3-touchdown outburst in the 40-34 overtime comeback against App State.
Last week, Minnesota limited Hampton to just 46 yards and a score on 13 carries. This is normally a decent stat-line, but I think we all were expecting a plus 100-yard outburst after what we experienced two weeks ago.
Pitt is allowing 122 rushing yards per game to opposing running back – a lot more mediocre when you compare that number to its league-leading pass defense.
Signs point to a good night for Hampton and British Brooks on the ground.
Keep Nate McCollum heavily involved in the passing game
Nate McCollum was virtually non-existent in the win over App State, catching just one pass for eight yards.
This made McCollum’s output against Minnesota that much more surprising, with the Georgia Tech transfer hauling in 15 Maye passes for 165 yards and a touchdown.
The next closest pass catcher, Bryson Nesbit, caught just four passes for 46 yards and a touchdown.
One positive to UNC’s passing game is that it has a multitude of players who can step up and lead the unit. Kobe Paysour answered the call against South Carolina, J.J. Jones did the same against App State, while McCollum earned his spot as number one receiver last weekend.
A McCollum encore would be welcomed against a stout Pitt defense, but don’t be surprised to see one of his teammates take over the passing game.
Convert on third downs
One aspect of the victory over Minnesota was UNC’s ability to convert on third downs.
Carolina outperformed the Golden Gophers in this area, converting 12-of-17 third downs and showcasing an ability to extend drives. Minnesota, on the other hand, fared a meager 3-of-12 on third down.
Pitt’s also done a solid job limiting effectiveness on third down, with opponents a combined 11-for-37.
Hopefully UNC won’t have many third downs, but if it does, it could be in for a challenging night.
Limit the turnovers
The positive – UNC is 3-0, with two wins against Power 5 opponents and another against one of the country’s best Group of 5 schools.
The negative – Drake Maye already has four interceptions, but that’s bound to happen when you throw the ball as much as he does.
A defense like Pitt’s, the country’s third-best in terms of passing yards allowed per game, could easily take turnovers and turn them into points.
Come Saturday, Maye just needs to continue making smart decisions with the football while showing he is the ACC’s best under center.
