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Syracuse Looking to Get Back on Track Against UNC-Chapel Hill

Cuse.com

After sitting idle last weekend, Syracuse (4-2, 1-2) returns to the Carrier Dome for the first time since late September to host UNC-Chapel Hill (1-4, 1-2) on Saturday afternoon at 12:20. It is only the fifth meeting between the two schools all-time, and the first since Syracuse joined the ACC in 2013.

 

After opening the season 4-0, the Orange are looking to snap a two game losing streak. After a heartbreaking loss at Clemson, the Orange started slow and suffered a surprising overtime defeat at Pittsburgh in their last outing.

After throwing just one interception in the opening four weeks, senior quarterback Eric Dungey has been picked off three times over the past two games, both losses. Against a stout North Carolina secondary, Dungey will have to be careful with the football.

An improved rushing attack will go a long way in helping Dungey manage the offense. Although they are averaging 225 rushing yards per game, no Orange rusher broke the 100-yard plateau against Pitt and only Dungey eclipsed 50 yards on the ground.

Dungey completed 18 passes to seven different receivers in the loss against Pitt. Sean Riley caught the ball six times and Jamal Custis continued to stake his claim as one of Dungey’s favorite targets, racking up 70 yards.

Credit Cuse.com
Dino Babers has yet to win five games in any season at Syracuse. He has another chance to reach that number on Saturday.

As for North Carolina, the Tar Heels gained 524 yards but mustered just 19 points in a loss to Virginia Tech last Saturday.  The 2018 campaign has been one to forget for the Heels and head coach Larry Fedora. Coming off a 3-9 season, the Tar Heels are just 1-4 and a cancellation due to Hurricane Florence kept them from a likely loss to UCF.

After losing 13 players to suspensions to open the season, only defensive lineman Tomon Fox is expected to serve his suspension against Syracuse, although senior defensive end Malik Carney will have to sit out one more game before the end of the season. As the Tar Heels inch closer to full strength, questions remain about who exactly will play quarterback for North Carolina.

The season opened with a QB competition between junior Nathan Elliott and sophomore Chazz Surratt. After Surratt was suspended for the first three games for selling his team-issued sneakers, the turnover-prone Elliott started North Carolina’s first four games including a 47-10 loss at Miami. Surratt also played in the Miami game, tossing three interceptions before tearing a ligament in his wrist. The injury requires surgery and has left Surratt out for the season.

After the drubbing in Miami, Fedora opted to start freshman quarterback Cade Fortin against Virginia Tech. But after taking a hit on a first half scramble, Fortin was taken out of the game due to an injury, leaving Elliott to come on in relief.

Fedora has yet to announce a starter for Saturday, but it is believed that Fortin will be unable to play and Elliott will get the start.

SU hosts UNC-Chapel Hill at 12:20 in the Carrier Dome this Saturday. Tune into 88.3 FM WAER for Countdown to Kickoff at 11:50 with the game following.

Syracuse will look to pass rushers Alton Robinson and Kendall Coleman, who each have six sacks on the season, to stifle whoever is playing quarterback for North Carolina, especially on third down. The Tar Heels are converting just 31 percent of their third downs, the worst conversion rate in the ACC.  

UNC-Chapel Hill wide receivers Anthony Ratliff-Williams and Dazz Newsome are undoubtedly capable and talented, albeit inconsistent. Ratliff-Williams is the only Tar Heel to have caught multiple touchdowns this season and has been hampered by poor quarterback play.

At running back, leading rushers Antonio Williams and Michael Carter are each averaging over six yards per carry, but each also had a fumble in the loss to Virginia Tech. They will look to exploit a Syracuse defense that is giving up an average of 180 rushing yards per contest.

This is the first game of a three game stretch against the state of North Carolina for the Orange. After facing the Tar Heels this weekend, the Orange will host North Carolina State before traveling to Winston-Salem to play Wake Forest.