Sep 7, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Mack Brown with his players in the second quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images North Carolina will wrap up nonconference play with Saturday afternoon’s clash with visiting James Madison at Chapel Hill, N.C.
It’s the final chance for the Tar Heels (3-0) to continue to work out kinks.
This assignment against James Madison (2-0) might mark the most difficult task among the three consecutive home games.
North Carolina’s adjustments have come at quarterback. Jacolby Criswell played the majority of the most recent game in relief of Conner Harrell. If Criswell starts versus James Madison, he’ll be the third starting quarterback of the season for the Tar Heels.
“We’re just trying to play more people because when you see a chance to play, you practice better,” North Carolina coach Mack Brown said.
North Carolina defeated Football Championship Subdivision opponent North Carolina Central 45-10 on Saturday night, but held only a seven-point edge going to the fourth quarter. Brown described the plan for that game was to use two quarterbacks for multiple series.
The plan could be altered this week, but either way factors will evolve.
“The game dictates what you’re going to do,” Brown said.
Criswell, with 161 passing yards and a touchdown throw, produced significantly better numbers than Harrell (22 yards in the air).
“When (Criswell) comes in, the ball seems to go down the field quite a bit,” James Madison coach Bob Chesney said.
The key for North Carolina is bound to come on the ground, with Omarion Hampton coming off a 210-yard rushing performance. The preseason All-American has racked up more than 200 rushing yards twice in his career.
“When you can run the ball, you can improve your passing game and that’s what we’ve got to do,” Brown said. “We’ve got to be more consistent in our passing game. We have to step up at wide receiver and tight end.”
The Dukes didn’t play last weekend, so the extra time could be put to good use working on their offense. James Madison defeated FCS team Gardner-Webb 13-6 in its most recent outing.
Chesney, in his first season, said James Madison has made significant gains in attention to detail since the first two games of the season.
“We know the task at hand and we’re excited to get to go down there and compete,” Chesney said. “We’re not going there to try to play a close game. We’re going down there to win a game.”
Chesney said running back Ayo Adeyi and receiver Taji Hudson could be on track to return to action following injuries.
This will be James Madison’s third consecutive matchup against a team from North Carolina. The Dukes won 30-7 to open the season at Charlotte; a week later, the Tar Heels topped Charlotte 38-20.
It’s a sellout, with James Madison filling all of its ticket allotment.
–Field Level Media
