Guest column: UNC’s defense looked impressive during Thursday’s loss to USC

Fans and media members continue questioning the North Carolina football team and Coach Larry Fedora almost a week after their season-opening loss to South Carolina.

But unlike in 2014, the UNC defense doesn’t find itself under scrutiny. In fact, if it weren’t for a couple of offensive miscues, the defense might be getting all of the attention.

The Tar Heels’ efforts to revamp the defense this past offseason are well-documented. By hiring defensive coordinator Gene Chizik and installing a new scheme, the defense hopes to rebound from a historically bad season.

After Thursday’s game, the Tar Heels appear to be trending up. Facing an SEC foe, UNC allowed only 17 points — the fewest surrendered since 2013.

The Gamecocks’ abysmal offense certainly played a factor. Quarterback Connor Mitch struggled in his first career start, finishing 9-for-22 with only 122 yards passing.

South Carolina still found success on the ground, rushing for 254 yards and averaging 5.4 yards per carry. The UNC defense allowed 5.2 yards per rush in 2014.

A majority of South Carolina’s rushing yards came in the fourth quarter, though, when the Gamecocks dominated time-of-possession.

South Carolina ran for 118 yards on 16 carries in the fourth quarter against a worn-down UNC defense.

The Tar Heels only allowed 136 yards on the ground through three quarters. That mark would have ranked UNC 65th in the nation in rushing defense in 2014.

While the defense surrendered a couple of big plays late in the game, including a 48-yard rushing touchdown, the Tar Heels also made two important plays of their own.

After the Tar Heels turned the ball over on downs on their first series of the second half, the Gamecocks took over on the UNC 34-yard line. But instead of folding and allowing South Carolina to score, the Tar Heels forced a three-and-out.

The second play came just before UNC’s final possession. The Gamecocks offense started on the Tar Heels’ side of the field. But after South Carolina drove inside the UNC 20-yard line, the defense made stops on third and fourth downs to give the Tar Heels’ offense one last chance to score.

UNC wouldn’t have made those sorts of plays a season ago, and while questions still surround the Tar Heels, the defense has shown it’s taking a step in the right direction.