UNC defense planning to 'Pack a punch

The goal line stand. Everybody remembers it.

The image of former N.C. State tailback T.A. McLendon slamming into the solid 6-foot-6, 297-pound wall better known as North Carolina defensive lineman Khalif Mitchell to seal the 30-24 UNC victory last season still rests in the mental chest of Tar Heel football memories.

But even with the rivalry game between the Tar Heels and Wolfpack on the horizon, Mitchell and his teammates have one thing in mind - and it has nothing to do with last year's epic play.

"I feel safe in saying that all our guys' minds are focused on making N.C. State look horrible," Mitchell said with a straight face. "Last year's play was good, and it goes down in history, but now and come Saturday, that play means nothing."

One area that UNC defensive coordinator Marvin Sanders might want his unit to remember from last year's victory is the 577 yards it allowed to the 'Pack.

"We can't let that happen again, and as a defensive unit we won't allow that many yards again," said sophomore defensive tackle Kyndraus Guy. "Coach Sanders has been telling us to bring more intensity to the game so we can bring the amount of rushing yards allowed down to 150 or 100 yards."

In last weekend's 14-5 loss to Wisconsin, UNC showed its improving defensive ability. Although Badger tailback Brian Calhoun rushed for 171 yards, the Tar Heels gave their offense numerous opportunities by stopping Wisconsin on 11 of 17 third downs, but it was to no avail.

The scenario of a staggering offense and an efficient defense is quite a change from last season, with the victory against N.C. State being a prime example of a strong offensive output carrying the Tar Heels to victory.

"Somebody said to me this year that the offense has been taking our load the last few years, so now the roles are reversed and it's time for the defense to do its job consistently," Mitchell said.

Some might argue that the defense already has taken the necessary strides to make UNC a competitor in the ACC, but Guy and his teammates disagree.

"We're never satisfied because there's always room for improvement, which is obvious since we haven't come away with a victory yet," Guy said. "We want to get a turnover and score, too. We're looking to get two turnovers a game."

With just one fumble, four sacks and no interceptions in two games, turnovers is the highlighted area of improvement. And until the offense can get on track, such game-changing plays will be even more significant.

"There's a little bit more pressure to get a turnover if the offense is struggling," Mitchell said. "But any fuel to the fire is great."

While Guy agrees with his teammate's assertion, he sees the key to any game this season to be the same as the focus before UNC's famous goal line stand last season.

"Stopping the run and controlling the clock," Guy said. "Once you stop the run, other things come - like sacks and turnovers."

 

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