Clemson running backs 'the best two' UNC has seen

North Carolina’s defense worries about containing Clemson’s two explosive running backs — just don’t ask their names.

Clemson fans know them as Andre Ellington and Jamie Harper, but to UNC linebacker Bruce Carter, they are “23” and “8,”respectively.

“They have two very good running backs, their big backs are 23 and 8,” Carter said.

“23 is very fast, and with 8, he’s big and he’s fast. They’ve got some great backs, and they can do some great things.”

Most of the opponents the duo has faced know their names: Ellington and Harper have combined for 591 rushing yards so far this season.

The pair has split carries roughly down the middle this season.

“These are the best two running backs we’ll probably face this year,” Carter said.

Ellington especially has turned heads recently with his play. Through four games, he is averaging an electric seven yards per carry.

His 95 rushing yards per game leads the ACC, and his seven rushing touchdowns outpace Georgia Tech’s Josh Nesbitt for first in the league.

Harper is more of a big, bruising back compared to Ellington.

The 6-foot, 235-pound Harper entered the season as Clemson’s nominal starter ahead of Ellington, which proves how talented he is in his own right.

“Clemson is clearly in that category of being very athletic, very fast, with a lot of speed, and a lot of potential playmakers,” UNC coach Butch Davis said.

Except for a glorified scrimmage against Presbyterian, at least one of the two has run for 100 yards and a touchdown in every game.

Both running backs are difficult to bring down in space. It forces every defender to be disciplined.

“Come off the ball, take on the blocks,” defensive end Quinton Coples said when asked to describe his role. “It frees my linebackers to make one-on-one plays.”

Georgia Tech’s run-heavy offense gave UNC’s front seven problems. The Yellow Jackets rushed for 372 yards and averaged almost six yards per carry, including two rushes that went for touchdowns in the game.

The Tar Heels are hoping to have learned from their 30-24 loss.

“Everybody’s got to fit where they are supposed to be at,” Carter said.

“Just going back to Georgia Tech, you can’t be out of your hole. Everybody’s just got to play on the same page in order to stop a team.”

Unlike Georgia Tech, Clemson also offers a passing attack, as Kyle Parker is one of the better quarterbacks in the ACC.

But Parker can be forced into errors, as last week’s game against Miami showed.

Parker threw three interceptions against the Hurricanes that the Tigers could not overcome despite three rushing touchdowns by Ellington.

“This is the best team we’ve played thus far,” Davis said. “They are the most complete team. They have the best athletes. They are very good on offense.”

Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.