GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: The entire defense needs to be disciplined against Georgia Tech’s triple option, but a lot of the responsibility for the perimeter defense will fall to DEs Malik Carney and Tomon Fox to contain Tech’s triggerman, whether it be veteran Taquon Marshall or redshirt freshman Tobias Oliver, who engineered last week’s win over Virginia Tech when Marshall was injured. Oliver threw only one pass, and it was incomplete, but the Yellow Jackets rushed for 465 yards in their 49-28 win over the Hokies. Oliver accounted for 215 yards of the total with three touchdowns.
DRAFT SLANT
–TE Brandon Fitts hasn’t played a game in 2018 because of a knee injury sustained in the spring, but still may get attention for a late-round pick. NFLDraftScout.com rates him the No. 8 tight end prospect as he works to get healthy again to show off his 6-4, 250-pound frame in workouts. He had 47 receptions for 439 yards and 9 touchdowns in his Carolina career with 25 catches as a junior in 2017. Fitts had submitted is name for evaluation in the 2018 draft, but it was recommended that he return for his senior season.
ROSTER REPORT:
–QB Nathan Elliott lost a fumble in the loss to Virginia but has thrown 212 consecutive passes without an interception. “If you watch Nathan, he’s taking care of the football much better,” coach Larry Fedora said. “He’s doing a good job. He’s not throwing the ball into coverage so he’s a little bit more comfortable back there.” The school record is 243 consecutive passes without a pick, set by Mitch Trubisky over three seasons (2014-16).
–QB Cade Fortin remains out indefinitely. He started against Virginia Tech, but with only two appearances has retained his redshirt and will have four seasons of eligibility to start 2019.
–QB Kelly Bryant, who left Clemson after losing his starting job to freshman Trevor Lawrence, will make a return visit to North Carolina for Saturday’s game against Georgia Tech, according to a report in The State newspaper in Columbia, S.C.
–S Myles Dorn recorded his third career interception in the second quarter at Virginia, giving the Tar Heels five interceptions in their last four games.
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