Cover Four: Week 1 In College Football

by between2grills · September 4, 2022

College Football is back! Week one did not disappoint. The noon games set the tone for the rest of college football as two in state games came down to the last moments before yielding an outcome. NC State benefitted from a missed extra point that would tied the contest as well as a wide right attempt by ECU as time ran out. In a game where the Wolf Pack could have been up two scores they somehow allowed the Pirates right back in the game narrowly escaping with a 1-0 record.

Heading west and up the mountain Mack Brown and company overcame a 21-7 deficit to lead 56-55 after a late touchdown and failed two point by the Mountaineers. If North Carolina could recover the onside kick, they could simply run out the clock and end the game. Bryson Nesbit fielded the onside kick and scampered down the sideline for a touchdown. As he was running I was thinking please go down because somehow the Mountaineers would find a way to score again. Apparently folks on twitter were thinking the same thing.

Not gonna blame Nesbit (who’s had a day) but really he shoulda not scored. Now UNC has to give the ball back to App with 28 seconds and a TO.
— Doc Kennedy (@DocHeelfire) September 3, 2022

North Carolina took the field leading 63-55 with 28 seconds remaining? What could go wrong you may ask? This is North Carolina football remember. A Chace Brice pass to Kaedin Robinson set up 1st and 10 from the 26 yard line with 19 seconds to go in the game. One play later Brice found Robinson again for a touchdown with a chance to send the game into overtime with a successful two point attempt. Give credit to the North Carolina defense as they held on and stopped Brice short of the goal line securing a 63-61 win on the road in front of the biggest crowd in App State history.

Now that week 1 is behind the Tar Heels and Wolf Pack here are four thoughts from the games on Saturday:

One: Peyton Wilson left the game for NC State with an injury and did not return. The star linebacker has been hampered by injuries during his time in Raleigh and is a force when available. Wilson is a pre season All ACC selection and very important piece to the 3-3-5 scheme they run in Raleigh.

Two: Devin Leary was anything but the quarterback he can be for the Wolfpack this season. Leary was 17-31 for 211 yards and one touchdown. He had a late interception that led to an ECU touchdown and then the Wolf Pack went three and out giving the Pirates one last shot at securing the win. Fortunately for the Pack the ECU kicker missed the final attempt and NC State could take a knee to begin the season 1-0. Don’t expect this trend to continue as Leary is an excellent QB who will have plenty of highlights moving forward.

Three: Drake Maye has been sensational in his first two games replacing Sam Howell. Maye has nine touchdowns through the air along with an additional touchdown on the ground. He has not looked like a first year starter in two games specifically with how well he has distributed the football to multiple players. Seven Tar Heels have caught touchdown passes in the first two games. There was a lot of uncertainty with the wide receiver room entering the season and to go on the road while putting up 63 points without Josh Downs is a reason to be excited about the direction of the offense.

Four: Cedric Gray had a terrific game with 13 tackles and the Tar Heel defense held on two 2-point conversion attempts late in the game to seal the win. The defense talks about the talent they have on that side of the ball; however, when you give up 61 points no one is going to listen to how good you can become. For the Tar Heel defense to improve they have to cover better both in the secondary and in the flats. Too many wide open receivers were running free for the Mountaineers on Saturday. The good news is the Tar Heels are 2-0 dancing into Atlanta this upcoming week as they face Georgia State.