The Tar Heels close out their non-conference schedule on Saturday afternoon as they face the James Madison Dukes in their third consecutive home game. Here’s everything you need to know about this weekend’s matchup which has many saying the Tar Heels should be on upset alert.
Team Breakdowns
Tar Heels
The most important thing for the Tar Heels to do in this game is to figure out their newest quarterback conundrum that started last week. Jacolby Criswell entered the game and led the team to victory, but Mack Brown said that he and Conner Harrell will both split reps in practice and in the game on Saturday. The hope is that this is a situation where Criswell gets the start and if he shows enough, the staff will ride with him the rest of the way in this game. Regardless of which quarterback is in the game, the plan should be to lean on star running back Omarion Hampton, especially early on while the staff figures out the quarterback spot. The wide receiver room needs to step up and help the quarterbacks out after a quiet start to the season. J.J. Jones is the guy that was poised to be the team’s next 1,000-yard receiver heading into the season, but he has struggled with drops and been nearly non-existent in the last two weeks. Christian Hamilton has shown flashes as a deep threat the last two weeks, but needs to be able to create more consistent separation. In the slot, Nate McCollum’s injury could mean a bigger role for Kobe Paysour, who is trying to get himself after a return from breaking both feet last year. The tight end room has carried the passing game in the last two weeks, as both Bryson Nesbit and John Copenhaver have found a nice groove in consecutive weeks. Along the offensive line, the last few weeks have allowed the interior to build some depth and the tackles to build some confidence. This will be their toughest test since the opening week, though, so they need to be ready.
The defensive front six continues to thrive even in the absence of Kaimon Rucker on the edge. In the middle, Jahvaree Ritzie has been a force rushing the passer, while Travis Shaw and Kevin Hester Jr. have taken a major leap as run defenders. At linebacker, Power Echols and Amare Campbell have thrived, especially with less on their plate than the linebackers of the past few years. The secondary remains the biggest question mark, despite having the best all around player on this side of the ball in the room. Alijah Huzzie has simply been outstanding in coverage and been incredibly efficient as a tackler. The team needs consistency in coverage from Marcus Allen and Kaleb Cost and the safeties must do a better job of helping over the top to limit the explosive plays.
On special teams, the big question is whether or not Noah Burnette will be available after missing last week’s game with a lower-body injury. If he can’t go, the team will once again rely on Liam Boyd, the team’s kickoff specialist, to handle the kicking duties which could limit them in that area. At punter, Tom Maginness has found a nice rhythm early and is looking to build on that. The same can be said at punt returner, where Alijah Huzzie has done a very solid job. Nate McCollum’s injury means that Javarius Green needs to be on standby in case he can’t go.
James Madison
Longtime Holy Cross head coach Bob Chesney took over for Curt Cignetti this season and has the Dukes off to a 2-0 start. Offensively, the team is off to a slower start than they would probably like. Quarterback Alonza Barnett III has been inconsistent as a passer, but he does pose a significant threat with his legs. The running game is the strength of this unit led by former Tar Heel running back George Pettaway and North Texas transfer Ayo Adeyi. Like the Tar Heels, the pass catchers are off to a slow start with no one having more than five receptions or 76 receiving yards through the first two games. The offensive line is a veteran unit that is off to a very strong start, especially in pass protection where they have allowed just one sack and three quarterback pressures.
Defensively, the Dukes have been stingy in their first two games. The secondary is the strength of the unit led by safety Jacob Thomas and cornerback Chauncey Logan. The defensive line is also in pretty good shape with edge rushers Khari Manns and Eric O’Neill as the anchors. Chris Fitzgerald and Immanuel Bush are also a solid tandem in the middle of that defensive line, especially in the run game. At linebacker, Jacob Dobbs and Trent Hendrick will look to improve after early season struggles.
The Dukes boast one of the nation’s best punters in the form of Ryan Hanson, who is averaging 48.6 yards per punt. Placekicker Noe Ruelas won the job this offseason but has already missed an extra point and a field goal in the first two games of the year. Pettaway is a dangerous kick return option as we saw in his time in Chapel Hill and Wayne Knight will handle the punt return duties.
Team Stats
Tar Heels
Off. PPG: 34.0 (T-44th)
Off. PYPG: 169.7 (T-111th)
Off. RYPG: 248.7 (15th)
Off. TYPG: 418.3 (55th)
Off. 3rd Down %: 51.3% (20th)
Off. 4th Down %: 0.0% (T-126th)
Off. Red Zone TD%: 72.7% (T-35th)
Tackles For A Loss Allowed: 16.0 (T-81st)
Sacks Allowed: 5.0 (T-67th)
Def. PPG: 15.7 (T-41st)
Def. PYPG: 188.3 (60th)
Def. RYPG: 68.0 (13th)
Def. TYPG: 256.3 (24th)
Def. 3rd Down %: 28.2% (24th)
Def. 4th Down %: 66.6% (T-91st)
Def. Red Zone TD%: 44.4% (T-45th)
Tackles for A Loss: 19.0 (T-41st)
Sacks: 10.0 (T-12th)
Interceptions: 1 (T-93rd)
Turnover Margin: +1 (T-44th)
Penalties Per Game: 9.0 (T-121st)
Penalty Yards Per Game: 71.3 (T-105th)
James Madison
Off. PPG: 21.5 (104th)
Off. PYPG: 177.0 (107th)
Off. RYPG: 172.0 (T-54th)
Off. TYPG: 349.0 (99th)
Off. 3rd Down %: 30.4% (112th)
Off. 4th Down %: 20.0% (T-122nd)
Off. Red Zone TD%: 50.0% (T-96th)
Tackles For A Loss Allowed: 15.0 (T-65th)
Sacks Allowed: 5.0 (T-67th)
Def. PPG: 6.5 (7th)
Def. PYPG: 176.5 (49th)
Def. RYPG: 120.0 (55th)
Def. TYPG: 296.5 (44th)
Def. 3rd Down %: 26.5% (18th)
Def. 4th Down %: 54.5% (74th)
Def. Red Zone TD%: 0.0 (T-1st)
Tackles for A Loss: 10.0 (T-118th)
Sacks: 4.0 (T-92nd)
Interceptions: 4 (T-16th)
Turnover Margin: +3 (T-17th)
Penalties Per Game: 4.5 (T-23rd)
Penalty Yards Per Game: 38.0 (25th)
Keys to the Game
Start Fast
This was something that Chesney pointed to in his press conference earlier this week so the Tar Heels need to turn this around on him and his team. The team revealing that Jacolby Criswell will be the starter on Friday hopefully means that they will give him the opportunity to lead this offense for at least a few drives. If they do, it might allow this offense to start moving the ball consistently early in the game based on what we saw last week. The defense also needs a better start than they had last week when they allowed NC Central to march right down the field and score. If the Tar Heels can start out fast, it could kill this James Madison team’s hopes of an upset, especially with their offensive issues.
Establish the Run
One of the best ways that the Tar Heels can get things moving on offense is to put the ball in the hands of Omarion Hampton and just let him work. The last two weeks have seen him run straight through defenses and despite better defensive numbers against the run for James Madison than the previous two opponents, the offensive staff should look to feed him again. They shouldn’t be afraid to use Criswell’s legs, as well, especially if they want to get off to that fast start.
Stay Disciplined
The last two weeks, the Tar Heels have struggled with discipline, but that can’t be the case in this game. James Madison is one of the more disciplined teams in the country early in the season, meaning another game with a substantial amount of penalties could hurt the Tar Heels even more than the last two weeks. Hopefully the staff was able to hammer home the point of limiting penalties this week in practice.
Injury Report
Tar Heels
OUT- Darwin Barlow (lower body), Nate McCollum (lower body), Kaimon Rucker (lower body)
PROB- Aidan Banfield (lower body), Austin Blaske (lower body), DeAndre Boykins (lower body), Noah Burnette (lower body)
James Madison
QUEST- Ayo Adeyi (lower body), Taji Hudson (undisclosed), Jordan Funk (undisclosed)
Projected Starting Lineup
Tar Heels
Offense
QB#12 Jacolby Criswell, Jr.
RB#28 Omarion Hampton, Jr.
WR-X# 5 J.J. Jones, Gr.
WR-SL# 8 Kobe Paysour, Jr.
WR-Z# 7 Christian Hamilton, RFr.
TE#81 John Copenhaver, Gr.
LT#79 Howard Sampson, So.
LG#64 Malik McGowan, Jr.
C#63 Zach Greenberg, Gr.
RG#53 Willie Lampkin, Sr.
RT#78 Trevyon Green, So.
Defense
DE#10 Des Evans, Sr.
NT#98 Kevin Hester Jr., Gr.
DT# 5 Jahvaree Ritzie, Sr.
RUSH#40 Tyler Thompson, RFr.
WLB#23 Power Echols, Sr.
MLB#17 Amare Campbell, So.
CB#28 Alijah Huzzie, Gr.
BS# 1 Stick Lane, Gr.
FS# 2 Jakeen Harris, Gr.
CB#29 Marcus Allen, Jr.
STAR#21 Kaleb Cost, So.
Special Teams
PK#98 Noah Burnette, Sr.
P#96 Tom Maginness, Jr.
KOS#37 Liam Boyd, So.
LS#62 Spencer Triplett, Gr.
H#96 Tom Maginness, Jr.
KR# 6 Nate McCollum, Sr.
PR#28 Alijah Huzzie, Gr.
James Madison
Offense
QB#14 Alonza Barnett III, So.
RB# 7 Ayo Adeyi, Sr.
WR# 1 Cam Ross, Sr.
WR#10 Brionne Penny, Sr.
WR# 9 Omarion Dollison, Sr.
TE#15 Kyi Wright, Sr.
LT#77 Jesse Ramil, Jr.
LG#60 Carter Sweazie, So.
C#58 Tanner Morris, Sr.
RG#66 Cole Potts, Sr.
RT#76 Pat McMurtrie, Sr.
Defense
DE#99 Eric O’Neill, Jr. OR # 9 Lloyd Summerall III, Sr.
DL#15 Immanuel Bush, Jr.
DL#97 Chris Fitzgerald, Sr.
DE#11 Khairi Manns, Sr.
LB#27 Jacob Dobbs, Sr.
LB# 5 Trent Hendrick, Jr.
LB# 1 Raymond Scott, Gr.
CB# 2 Chauncey Logan, Jr.
SS# 7 Jacob Thomas, Jr. OR #32 DJ Barksdale, So.
CB#30 Justin Eaglin, So.
PK#16 Noe Ruelas, Jr.
P#49 Ryan Hanson, Sr.
KOS#16 Noe Ruelas, Jr.
LS#40 Logan Ketcham, Jr.
H#49 Ryan Hanson, Sr.
KR# 6 George Pettaway, So.
PR#25 Wayne Knight, So.
Game Information
Kickoff Time: 12:00 PM ET
Weather: 78℉, 1% chance of rain, N at 3 mph
Betting Line: UNC -10.5
TV: ACC Network
Radio: Tar Heel Sports Network
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