“We've got to play both of them the whole game,” Brown said. “We've got to get their experience caught up as fast as we can.”
Against NCCU, Criswell completed 14 of 23 passes, totaling 161 yards and one touchdown. Harrell completed two of six passes for 22 yards, even after re-entering the game for a few series in the third and fourth quarter.
“We dropped some balls, probably from frustration that we're not throwing it as well as we have in the last five years,” Brown said. “It doesn't matter. We have to step up and do a better job in those areas.”
Over the last two seasons, Harrell has only seen the field eight times with three appearances coming this year. Meanwhile, Criswell appeared in 14 games in his first three years at UNC followed by four games off the bench after transferring to Arkansas for a single season.
North Carolina ranks second-to-last in offensive efficiency in the ACC.
Due to the quarterbacks' inexperience, Brown said he can't say who the starting quarterback will be.
“They're very different,” Brown said. “And what we've got to do is do a better job as we go forward, making sure we do what each one does best.”
Reducing penalties on defense
Only one yard separated N.C. Central from the endzone in the final two minutes of the first half.
With a chance to cut the deficit to three on third down, the Eagles snapped the ball. The Tar Heels surged toward the pocket. The NCCU quarterback scrambled, but sophomore defensive back Kaleb Cost and senior linebacker Power Echols followed, suffocating him from both sides.
The UNC defensive line celebrated.
But then a flag was thrown — a penalty on UNC for unsportsmanlike conduct. The tenth penalty on the Tar Heels of the first half.
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“It was very unusual,” Brown said. “I don't know where it came from. We obviously have addressed it and been aggressive with them.”
Even though UNC found a way to hold NCCU to a field goal, the penalties — one of 16 North Carolina received on Saturday — put pressure on the defense.
“Once that penalty came, it was back to the basics,” senior defensive back Antavious “Stick” Lane said. “[After a penalty] we always say, ‘Just put the ball down.’”
UNC ranks second-worst in the ACC in number of penalties this season with 27. On average, penalties cost the Tar Heels 71.3 yards per game, fourth-worst in the conference.
Meanwhile, James Madison ranks 8th in the nation in fewest penalties and averages only 38 penalty yards per game.
“Every one of the penalties was pointed out with the big red dot circling the guy,” defensive coordinator Geoff Collins said. “So [we] don’t shy away from addressing it.”
Facing a familiar foe
After two seasons at UNC, redshirt sophomore George Pettaway entered the transfer portal, electing to join JMU's running back room.
Pettaway rushed for 93 yards and two touchdowns in 2022. He only appeared in four games in 2023 before redshirting.
Now, Pettaway leads the Dukes in rushing yards with 114 in two games.
The Tar Heels will face their former teammate on Saturday and look to limit his efficiency on the ground. Lane said Pettaway's shiftiness allows him to shake off his coverage and break into open space.
“He's a good player, so I'm happy for him at the end of the day,” Lane said. “He gotta go against us this week, so I don't want him to do none of that.”
@carolinewills03
@dthsports | sports@dailytarheel.com
