Just three series into North Carolina’s 53-14 victory over North Carolina A&T on Saturday, Coach Larry Fedora called on redshirt sophomore quarterback Mitch Trubisky to spell senior starter Marquise Williams — a plan unbeknownst to either player.
“I wanted to get (Trubisky) in early, I wanted him to get some meaningful reps,” Fedora said.
“And I didn’t want to tell him that he was going, so that if the situation happens like that in the season, he’s prepared and ready to go.”
Trubisky took the field for two handoffs, before Williams reclaimed quarterback duties for the following drive.
One series later, the clipboard once again switched hands.
“I think he’s just trying to keep me on my toes,” Trubisky said. “Maybe testing me in a way, just keeping me ready. I think he knows I can handle it.”
In his second series, Trubisky capped a red-zone drive with a 2-yard toss to tight end Brandon Fritts, the first catch of his career. The next drive, Williams marched 68 yards down the field, finishing with a goal-line lob to Fritts — Trubisky’s former high school teammate.
On the opening drive of the third quarter, Williams dashed 18 yards on a quarterback keeper for his first rushing touchdown of the year. Two series later, Trubisky notched his first career rushing touchdown with a 35-yard scamper on a read-option run.
