The Tar Heels were able to collect 457 yards of offense at Clemson last weekend, but it wasn’t enough to win.
Three turnovers ultimately doomed UNC in a 31-20 loss. Wide receiver J.J. Jones caught Drake Maye’s lone touchdown pass early in the first quarter, then Carolina didn’t score again until the third quarter. Clemson’s offense exploded in the middle two quarters, scoring 28 of its 31 points.
Maye’s 209 passing yards was his second-lowest output this year. I think a lot of Tar Heel Nation expected him to have a better game, but the Tigers have one of the ACC’s better defenses.
UNC star running back Omarion Hampton, despite fumbling twice, registered his sixth-consecutive 100-yard game (19 carries, 178 rushing yards, two touchdowns).
Carolina’s next game doesn’t get any easier, as it faces another strong defense in N.C. State. Outside of a victory over Marshall and a loss to Notre Dame, the Wolfpack haven’t allowed an opponent to score over 30 points in a game.
State is hot as anyone, winning its past four games. UNC was 6-0, but is now 2-3 in its last five games.
As the Tar Heels prepare to end their regular season in Raleigh, what exactly do they need to do for a much-improved, offensive output?