Three Takeaways from UNC’s season ending loss to NC State

And just like that, the first season of the Bill Belichick experiment comes to a resounding end with a 42-19 loss to NC State. The loss, which was not as close as the score indicated thanks to a late score by the Tar Heels, was UNC’s fifth straight loss to the Wolfpack tying a record in the series and setting the record for consecutive wins by a NC State coach.

So with the season now mercifully over (even the 5-7 bowl hope is officially dead), here are three takeaways from the third straight loss by North Carolina to an instate opponent.

As bad as this season has been, it would have been much, much worst without the sophomore wide receiver from Charlotte. Shipp, who led the team by a wide margin in all receiving categories, finished the game with eight receptions for 90 yards and another highlight-worthy touchdown in the back on the end zone that cut the Wolfpack lead to seven early in the second quarter.

Eventually, NC State started double and triple teaming Shipp which probably prevented the receiver from going for more. If this was Shipp’s last game in Carolina Blue, at least he gave it his all on the field for an offense that was otherwise left wanting without him.

Apparently nothing in Steve Belichick’s game plan suggested he should prepare the defense for the quarterback run. NC State quarterbacks CJ Bailey and Will Wilson combined to rush 20 times for 119 yards and four touchdowns. Bailey was especially devastating with an 8.1 average as he ran for several first downs as North Carolina had no answer. Surely, that is something the team will continue to work on in the offseason.

Last week against Duke, North Carolina put on a display of poor discipline. They had 12 penalties for 103 yards while letting Duke go 5-6 on fourth downs. Additionally, the Tar Heels failed on four huge special team plays that all led to Blue Devil touchdowns. Surely, with all the “improvement” the team wouldn’t fail again, right?

Well, on a positive, they only had one big special team snafu, a fake punt that went for a first down and led to a NC State touchdown. Otherwise, they did worst. The Tar Heels finished with 11 penalties for a season high 129 penalty yards. They also let the Wolfpack go 4-4 on fourth down. If you are keeping score that’s a two game total of 23 penalties for 232 penalty yards and 9-10 on fourth down, making one wonder why anyone would ever try punting against this defense.