Pitt aims to keep its undefeated start going Saturday when it opens Atlantic Coast Conference play against North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C.
The Panthers (4-0, 0-0 ACC) are coming off a bye week. In its previous game, Pitt dominated FCS Youngstown State 73-17 on Sept. 21 at home. Quarterback Eli Holstein accounted for 340 yards of total offense and five touchdowns.
Meanwhile, the Tar Heels (3-2, 0-1) have lost back-to-back games. North Carolina fell 70-50 at home to James Madison on Sept. 21, then followed that with a 21-20 loss at rival Duke on Saturday. The Tar Heels went ahead 20-0 before blowing the lead in the second half vs. the Blue Devils.
Because the Tar Heels endured two straight disappointing defeats, critics of the team — and those calling for Mack Brown’s job — have become even louder. Brown, 73, is in the sixth season of his second stint at North Carolina. His loss to Duke last weekend was his first against the Blue Devils since 1989.
“We live in a world with opinions — even reporters,” Brown said. “Some are professional and some want to be tabloid because they’re trying to get better jobs and it gives them more splash. I got it. I lived in your business, I did that.
“When you lose a game, you give negative people a chance to be really loud, and that’s what they do. They become very powerful and that’s OK. … Fans have always been angry at people. It’s just more public now and everybody’s got an opinion.”
What’s undeniable is that North Carolina is giving up a lot of points this season, an average of 27.6 per game, which is the third-worst mark in the ACC.
On offense, the Tar Heels are leaning on running back Omarion Hampton, who leads the FBS in carries with 114. Hampton has rushed for an ACC-best 658 yards in five games to go along with six touchdowns.
“North Carolina’s a talented football team,” Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said. “They have players. But guess what? The other teams do, too. We’re going to bring in some talented players as well this week. Duke’s undefeated. It’s not like they got beat by a poor Duke team.”
Holstein — a redshirt freshman transfer from Alabama — has been a breakout star for Pitt, completing 67.4 percent of his passes for 1,183 yards, 12 touchdowns and just two interceptions. He also has rushed for 189 yards and two scores.
The good news for Holstein is that running back Desmond Reid will be back in the mix after missing the game against Youngstown State. The junior totaled 486 yards of total offense and four touchdowns on 57 touches during Pitt’s first three games.
North Carolina has won two straight against Pitt by an average margin of 17.5 points. The Tar Heels are 12-5 all-time against the Panthers.
–Field Level Media
