During the pivotal moments of North Carolina's 17-13 loss to South Carolina on Sept. 3, running back Elijah Hood was noticeably absent from the field.
On Saturday, he was all over it.
Hood's impact was unquestioned in UNC's home opener, bruising North Carolina A&T's defense for 56 yards and two scores and rejuvenating the Tar Heels (1-1) in their 53-14 drubbing of the Aggies (1-1).
Days after committing to more carries to his starter, Coach Larry Fedora turned to the physical tailback five times in UNC's first drive -— including three straight runs from first-and-goal, capped by a 1-yard touchdown on a punishing second effort.
Hood tallied eight carries in the first quarter and finished with 16 rushes for the game, despite watching the entire fourth quarter from the sidelines in a lopsided affair.
Quarterback Marquise Williams' play was markedly different from a week ago. After throwing three red-zone interceptions against the Gamecocks, the fifth-year senior went 15-for-20 with 211 passing yards and two touchdowns with no blemishes to his name. He also added 53 yards on the ground, including an 18-yard touchdown on a nifty quarterback keeper.
Williams was not the only quarterback to see time. Backup Mitch Trubisky made his season debut on the third drive and returned for four more drives before handing the reigns to third-stringer Caleb Henderson. Trubisky was efficient in his time under center, recording 37 yards and a touchdown through the air and also notching a 35-yard rushing score.
Quotable
“Every time we call a run, we’re trying to drive home a point. I want those guys to feel that way that when we’re running the football that we’re coming off the ball and we’re being physical, no matter where it is on the field.” — Fedora on the emphasis of the ground game.
