PLAYERS TO WATCH
–RB Antonio Williams has averaged 6.2 yards per attempt in rushing for 143 yards in Carolina’s two games. He rushed for 96 yards against East Carolina before his ejection in the second quarter for targeting. Someone needs to step up for the running game, and the Ohio State transfer would seem to be the logical candidate.
–WR Anthony Ratliff-Williams leads the Tar Heels in receptions with seven catches for 146 yards, but he needs to have that much in one game against Pittsburgh. He is considered a breakaway threat in the return game as well but is averaging less than 20 yards on six kickoff returns.
–S Jonathan Britt is the veteran in the Carolina’s secondary with Myles Dorn out with an injury. Britt is tied for the team lead in tackles LB Dominique Ross with 13 stops, 11 of them solo efforts. He also is credited with breaking up a pass in the loss to East Carolina.
–FS Myles Wolfolk missed numerous tackles in starting for Dorn at East Carolina, but he still managed to lead the Tar Heels in tackles with 11 in the loss to East Carolina. Nine of them were solo stops. If Dorn is unable to go against Pitt, Wolfolk will have to be more consistent. He started four games as a redshirt freshman last year and picked off two interceptions.
SERIES HISTORY: North Carolina leads Pittsburgh 9-3. The 34-31 victory in 2017 was the fifth in a row for the Tar Heels over the Panthers.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “It’s an unforeseen break and we’ve got to turn it into a positive. It enabled some guys to maybe get healed up, get extra rest as we go into the rest of the season.” — Coach Larry Fedora, on the impact of last week’s game cancelled because of Hurricane Florence.
