Landon Turner Out for ECU Game

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The University of North Carolina has announced that junior guard Landon Turner will miss the East Carolina game. In true Larry Fedora fashion, the extent or nature of the injury was not released to the press.

This is a big problem for the Tar Heels coming into the most important game of their young season. The North Carolina offensive line is already young and inexperienced, and the addition of true freshman Jared Cohen will only make it younger and less experienced. Also the Tar Heels lose the leadership of Turner to anchor the offense.

Sep 13, 2014; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Michael Brewer (12) tries to get away from East Carolina Pirates nose tackle Terry Williams (54) during the first quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Anyone who saw the East Carolina vs Virginia Tech game will know that the defensive line of ECU caused problems throughout the game. The Hokie run game never developed, and was essentially abandoned in the second half. While various members of the ECU defense brought pressure on the Hokie quarterback, the most notable member of that unit was Terry Williams the senior nose tackle. Williams will be lined up in the middle against North Carolina, so either he will be fronted by Lukas Crowley or one of the guards. One of those guards will be true freshman Jared Cohen.

The Tar Heel running game will be very important against the ECU defense. It keeps the Pirates offense off the field. North Carolina is a team that could score with East Carolina in a shootout, but that would put even more pressure on that young line. The more throwing that Marquise Williams has to do, the more pressure that ECU can bring from the linebacker spot. While Williams can make plays with his legs, no North Carolina victory is built on him doing that all the time.

A final note on the upcoming game. ECU started lightning fast against Virginia Tech. North Carolina has started slow in each of its first two games. The Tar Heels cannot afford to lag at the gate this time.

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