GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: North Carolina managed to gash Pitt’s defense for 173 rushing yards, a season high, but the Tar Heels will be facing a Miami defense that is tough to run against. Led by sophomore DE Jonathan Garvin (23 tackles) and junior LB Shaq Quarterman (22), the Hurricanes have held their opponents to less than 79 yards a game on the ground and allowed only 17 last week against Florida International. That’s despite giving up 156 to LSU in the opener. The Tar Heels will need another big effort out of RB Anthony Williams, who rushed for 114 yards in the win over Pittsburgh.
DRAFT SLANT
–WR Anthony Ratliff-Williams had four receptions for 84 yards and two rushes for 19 in the win over Pittsburgh. He has 11 receptions for 230 yards for the season, a 20.91 average, and has returned six kickoffs for 117 yards. He has the kind of game-breaking ability that could provide a spark to an apparently rejuvenated North Carolina offense.
ROSTER REPORT:
–WR Anthony Ratliff-Williams left the Pitt game in the fourth quarter with an apparent leg injury. Coach Larry Fedora has a policy of not discussing injuries, but with the quick turnaround the injury could be a factor for the Tar Heels.
–WR Beau Corrales, who had four receptions for 64 yards and two touchdowns against Miami last year, is one of seven players who will be activated after serving three-game suspensions for selling school-issued shoes. The players originally were suspended for four games but with the schedule currently set for only 11 games because of the cancellation of the game against UCF, the suspension was trimmed to three games.
–QB Charles Surratt, OL Brian Anderson, DE Tyrone Hopper, OL Quiron Johnson, LB Malin Robinson, and OL Jordan Tucker will be in uniform and ready to play after completing their suspensions.
–DE Malik Carney, North Carolina’s best pass rusher (5.5 sacks in 2017), will serve the final of his three-game suspension. He played in the opener at California.
–OT William Sweet was named the ACC’s Offensive Lineman of the Week for his play in the win over Pittsburgh. The junior graded out at 91 percent and was credited with 10 knockdown blocks in the game.
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