North Carolina
Week 1 results pose different Week 2 challenges for Wake, UNC
Published: 2012-09-06 13:13:00
Updated: 2012-09-07 12:56:54
Sep 7, 2012
Winston-Salem, N.C. — Opening week played out very differently for Wake Forest and North Carolina on the football field and the differences could provide an edge for one team and a challenge for the other even before the players take the field Saturday in Winston-Salem.
While the Tar Heels were able to tone things down in the second half with things under control against Elon, Wake Forest had to tap into their go-to plays to avoid an upset at the hands of Liberty.
“We were in a position the other night against Liberty where we weren’t holding anything back, we had to give them our best shot to get a win,” said Wake Forest head coach Jim Grobe while joining Mark and Mike Thursday. “Larry (Fedora) made the statement after the win over Elon that they were very basic and just ran a small part of their offense.”
Grobe said that he expects to see new looks from UNC Saturday that didn’t make the weekly game film following a 62-0 shutout. Fedora said that he expects to offer different looks and his team is still in need of a speed boost.
“Our tempo was still not close to where we want it to be,” Fedora said. “What is fast? I don’t know, we just want to go fast. We want to get that ball snapped as quickly as possible.”
For Grobe and Wake Forest, slowing the pace and stopping the big play will also be a point of emphasis.
The Demon Deacons gave up a 37-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter as one of a handful of chunk-gaining plays in a 20-17 win. Meanwhile, UNC had three TDs Saturday of 35 yards or more and another of 23 yards.
“We gave up a couple big plays and that was my biggest disappointment. We came away from it feeling like we have a lot to improve on before taking on the Tar Heels,” Grobe said. “We feel very fortunate to come away from that game with a win.”
When it comes to skill players, Grobe said his young corps will need to step up against a talented UNC defense. After losing his top wide receiver, Chris Givens, and four of his starting offensive linemen from a year ago, experience is minimal around quarterback Tanner Price. Of the nine rostered wide receivers, eight are freshmen or sophomores.
On the opposite sideline, Grobe said that UNC may be the most talented team in the ACC.
“So much has been said about their up-tempo, fast-paced offense, but they are doing it with some of the best talent in the Atlantic Coast Conference,” Grobe said. “I think Giovani Bernard is maybe the best running back in the ACC. Bryn Renner is special, he’s one of the top quarterbacks in the ACC. I don’t know that there is a better offensive line with Jonathan Cooper. Then you have a big tight end that can run down the field that can catch the ball and a great group of wide receivers. You look at the style that they run, the fast pace that they try to get as many snaps as possible, try to force the defense to make mental mistakes, then you combine that with not only great scheme and great coaching, but some of the best talent in the ACC and you have a great football team.”
Saturday will mark the first trip to Winston-Salem for UNC since 2007. The Demon Deacons won that meeting 37-10, but the Tar Heels hold a 20-13 advantage in the all-time series when making the 80-mile trip west.
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Most Recent Comments
RE: Week 1 results pose different Week 2 challenges for Wake, UNC
Yeah I have seen my Heels get burned on those big plays when the defense seemed to be playing the option well. Idk of a worse feeling than giving up a 60 yd td run. It was a great game Logan Thomas is a monster yall will be in good shape with him running things.
- Posted by oneuncfan
Renner had stats that was out there last year. He's familar with a hurry up offense, and he did a nice job last weekend. UNC will be a tough team this year. VT needs an A game when we play UNC on Oct 6th. One crucial TO can spell the difference.
RE: Week 1 results pose different Week 2 challenges for Wake, UNC
Yeah I have seen my Heels get burned on those big plays when the defense seemed to be playing the option well. Idk of a worse feeling than giving up a 60 yd td run. It was a great game Logan Thomas is a monster yall will be in good shape with him running things.
RE: Week 1 results pose different Week 2 challenges for Wake, UNC
Its a darn shame for all of the NCAA violations and sanctions. If the Elon game is any indication of what we might see out of the heels this year its terrible there cant be any postseason play. Carolina has a very favorable schedule, Miami is sinking fast, GTech seems to be weaker than in recent years, and Vtech appears to be beatable especially with the game in CH. It is nice knowing we got Gio for 2 more and Brynn for 1 more season tho. Lets go out and win that State championship and the other 11 games on the schedule. Actions of many azzh*les messed up the potential of this years team but nothing can be done about it now. Still proud to be a tarheel and the future looks bright with Fedora at the helm. Butch who?
- Posted by oneuncfan
GT looked pretty darn good to me. VT didn't have a solid game passing until the last minutes. Logan Thomas hit 6 straight. Our running game will get better. 4 new OL is tough. Here gain, this was the first game too for both teams. Both teams will improve. Washington had only 1 TO.
Vtech Is a great team and so is GT. I just dont feel that they are as strong as they both have been in the past 3 or 4 seasons. I have alot of respect for what theyve both done even though I cant stand that triple option LOL.
The spread triple option will lull you to sleep and boom...they blast off for 50-60 yards. It's frustrating, you have to be disciplined, and the defense has to play their area(s). Paul Johnson runs it better than anyone in Div I. They hardly ever turn it over. We were fortunate to win this one. Our OL has to improve soon. We didn't have much at all in rushing. Glad for the Field Goals.
RE: Week 1 results pose different Week 2 challenges for Wake, UNC
Its a darn shame for all of the NCAA violations and sanctions. If the Elon game is any indication of what we might see out of the heels this year its terrible there cant be any postseason play. Carolina has a very favorable schedule, Miami is sinking fast, GTech seems to be weaker than in recent years, and Vtech appears to be beatable especially with the game in CH. It is nice knowing we got Gio for 2 more and Brynn for 1 more season tho. Lets go out and win that State championship and the other 11 games on the schedule. Actions of many azzh*les messed up the potential of this years team but nothing can be done about it now. Still proud to be a tarheel and the future looks bright with Fedora at the helm. Butch who?
- Posted by oneuncfan
GT looked pretty darn good to me. VT didn't have a solid game passing until the last minutes. Logan Thomas hit 6 straight. Our running game will get better. 4 new OL is tough. Here gain, this was the first game too for both teams. Both teams will improve. Washington had only 1 TO.
Vtech Is a great team and so is GT. I just dont feel that they are as strong as they both have been in the past 3 or 4 seasons. I have alot of respect for what theyve both done even though I cant stand that triple option LOL.
RE Week 1 results pose different Week 2 challenges for Wake, UNC
I'll bet that Jim Grobe has coached them a bunch this week. They studied a bunch of tape too. They will play better than they did against Liberty. I don't think that UNC learned much against Elon. Just an opinion.
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