UNC Football: Key players on the Tar Heels to watch against Cal

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PITTSBURGH, PA – NOVEMBER 09: Nathan Elliott #11 of the North Carolina Tar Heels drops back to pass in the first quarter during the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Heinz Field on November 9, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

Nathan Elliott

Entering this year, Nathan Elliott was expecting to compete with Chazz Surratt for the starting quarterback job. However, Surratt was also one of the players suspended for selling the team-issues shoes and will miss the first four games of the season.

This presents a great opportunity for Elliott to not only start the year as the team’s starting quarterback but with a strong performance keep it.

The junior finished the year as the starter and helped lead the Tar Heels to wins in two of his three starts. In those games he completed 57 percent of his passes, averaged 251 passing yards per game with eight touchdowns and only two interceptions.

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If Elliott is able to protect the ball, lean on the run game and get the ball to his top playmaker, Anthony Ratliff-Williams, he should be able to put this team in position to secure a win on the road.

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