UNC played arguably its worst football game in quite some time Saturday afternoon, losing by multiple scores to Clemson. Read our five takeaways.
If you braved yourself throughout Saturday afternoon's football clash from Kenan Stadium, we salute you. The North Carolina Tar Heels looked overmatched from opening kickoff, playing one of their worst football games ever in a 38-10 loss to Clemson.
UNC (2-3, 0-1 ACC) scored again on its first drive, thanks to a 35-yard Rece Verhoff field goal. A touchdown wasn't out of question, but the North Carolina offense stalled, which was a theme throughout the day.
The Tar Heels couldn't generate much else in the opening 30 minutes, gaining just 20 first-half yards after its opening drive. UNC took few shots downfield, couldn't establish a running game and kept punting the ball back to Clemson's dangerous offense.
North Carolina didn't look much better in the second half, ending its day with 10 points and 270 yards. Tar Heels running back Benjamin Hall gave the patient, Kenan Stadium crowd something to be happy about late, scoring his first career touchdown on an 11-yard run with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Speaking of the Tigers, they gained 367 first-half yards on 36 plays, scoring five touchdowns through the air. Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik completed 21 of his 23 passes, throwing for 251 yards and four scores. T.J. Moore led the Tigers with 108 receiving yards on five first-half catches, adding a touchdown, while Adam Randall and Christian Bentancur caught a pair of touchdowns themselves.
UNC heads into its second bye week, providing it a perfect time to get a good, long look at the future of its program. North Carolina will travel to California out of its second bye week, which will provide another tough challenge. The Golden Bears entered their Week 6 matchup against Duke with a 4-1 record.
Keep reading below for our five takeaways from today's blowout loss, which creates more panic in a program that many hoped for a Bill Belichick revival within.
The defense was atrocious
UNC allowed Clemson to gain 367 yards in the first half, scoring five touchdowns in the process. All five of the Tigers' first-half scores came through the air: four from Klubnik, the other on a trick-play pass from Antonio Williams.
North Carolina struggled in coverage, with Tiger receivers running wide open. On one deep pass, Tar Heels safety Will Hardy slipped in coverage – and Clemson scored a walk-in touchdown.
When the clock struck zero, UNC allowed 488 yards. The Tigers inserted backups late in the third quarter, but still moved the football.
Offense didn't play much better
Offensive struggles followed the Tar Heels into their ACC opener. UNC only gained 270 yards against Clemson, scoring just 10 points.
Pass protection failed Max Johnson
North Carolina officially ruled Gio Lopez out pregame, meaning Max Johnson got the start at quarterback. Fans were excited about Johnson's opportunity, as he outplayed Lopez in relief action between the Charlotte and Richmond wins.
Johnson had virtually no time to throw against Clemson, getting battered by Tiger defenders on every drive. Johnson completed 24-of-39 passes for 186 yards.
If Lopez is healthy out of the bye week, you wonder if Belichick start the South Alabama transfer over Johnson.
The big deficit took away UNC's rushing attack
Demon June started to establish himself as UNC's starting running back, gaining 250 rushing yards between the Charlotte, Richmond and UCF games.
The Tar Heels couldn't establish a running game Saturday against Clemson, due to their large deficit throughout. June recorded just 16 yards on five carries.
Hall scored North Carolina's lone touchdown on the day, taking a carry 11 yards into the end zone, with 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
Changes need to be made
Belichick isn't going anywhere. He's five games into his first season coaching college football. Freddie Kitchens' offense continued to underwhelm Saturday, facing a struggling Clemson defense. Steve Belichick's defense allowed big play after big play.
Whether Kitchens or Steve Belichick's needs adjustment, or UNC needs to re-evaluate its depth chart, something has to change. If the Tar Heels continue playing their current brand of football, they won't win many more games this season.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC football: Five takeaways from Week 6 home blowout loss vs. Clemson
Category: General Sports
