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UNC Football: Top takeaways from 41-19 loss to East Carolina

By Brandon Croce

CHAPEL HILL, NC - NOVEMBER 05: General view of the game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Kenan Stadium on November 5, 2016 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC - NOVEMBER 05: General view of the game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Kenan Stadium on November 5, 2016 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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CHAPEL HILL, NC – NOVEMBER 18: Nathan Elliott #11 of the North Carolina Tar Heels drops back to pass against the Western Carolina Catamounts at Kenan Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC – NOVEMBER 18: Nathan Elliott #11 of the North Carolina Tar Heels drops back to pass against the Western Carolina Catamounts at Kenan Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

Offense struggles on third down

Another trend that carried over from the game against Cal was the Tar Heels’ offense inability to sustain drives. After converting only 4 of 13 third down attempt in the first game, this offense went 5 of 16 against ECU.

The Tar Heels inability to sustain drives not only impacts their success but also impacts their defense. The fact that they haven’t been able to keep drives alive, helps the opposition to win the time of possession battle and forces the defense to stay on the field. The two games this season, the Tar Heels have lost this stat over ten minutes.

The question Larry Fedora will need to answer heading into Saturday’s game against UCF if Nathan Elliott is the answer at quarterback. The only option he really has with Chazz Surratt still suspended for two more games is true freshman Cade Fortin.

Next. Key players to watch against ECU for Tar Heels. dark

It is hard to imagine he would put a true freshman out against one of the better teams in college football but if Elliott doesn’t show improvement, he may not have a choice.

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