UNC’s opponent this weekend is Virginia at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville. This could be a tougher game than it would seem on paper because the Cavaliers are playing much better than early in the season.
New coach Bronco Mendenhall’s offense is far more productive than it was earlier in the season and has some weapons that could give the Heels some trouble if Carolina isn’t focused.
UVa averaged 18.6 points over its first three games but has averaged 38 over its last three, including wins over Central Michigan, which earlier in the season won at Oklahoma State, and at Duke. Last week, the Wahoos fell 45-31 at home to Pittsburgh.
THI asked UNC defensive coordinator Gene Chizik after Tuesday’s practice about the Virginia offense’s improvement from early September.
“It’s night and day different,” Chizik said. “I think they were trying to figure out who they were and what they wanted to be and what they’re players could actually do productivity-wise. They have definitely hit the groove and have found that out.
“They’re very efficient in what they do throwing the ball and running the ball and they’ve found their niche. There’s been a huge amount of improvement from week one to week eight.”
Running back Smoke Mizzell has 355 yards on the ground (5.5 average) and 186 yards receiving. Mizell has a 44-yard run in two different games and a 53-yard reception in another. He lines up all over the place, and often as a decoy. So he’s definitely a player whose whereabouts the Tar Heels need to know at all times.
“You do, you really do,” Chizik said. “He’s really a great player, and they find ways to get him the ball, and rightly so. He’s great catching the ball out of the backfield, he’s great with the ball in his hands, period as a running back. He’s just a very productive player.”
New coach Bronco Mendenhall’s offense is far more productive than it was earlier in the season and has some weapons that could give the Heels some trouble if Carolina isn’t focused.
UVa averaged 18.6 points over its first three games but has averaged 38 over its last three, including wins over Central Michigan, which earlier in the season won at Oklahoma State, and at Duke. Last week, the Wahoos fell 45-31 at home to Pittsburgh.
THI asked UNC defensive coordinator Gene Chizik after Tuesday’s practice about the Virginia offense’s improvement from early September.
“It’s night and day different,” Chizik said. “I think they were trying to figure out who they were and what they wanted to be and what they’re players could actually do productivity-wise. They have definitely hit the groove and have found that out.
“They’re very efficient in what they do throwing the ball and running the ball and they’ve found their niche. There’s been a huge amount of improvement from week one to week eight.”
Running back Smoke Mizzell has 355 yards on the ground (5.5 average) and 186 yards receiving. Mizell has a 44-yard run in two different games and a 53-yard reception in another. He lines up all over the place, and often as a decoy. So he’s definitely a player whose whereabouts the Tar Heels need to know at all times.
“You do, you really do,” Chizik said. “He’s really a great player, and they find ways to get him the ball, and rightly so. He’s great catching the ball out of the backfield, he’s great with the ball in his hands, period as a running back. He’s just a very productive player.”
