Greg Smith’s Player Of The Game Performance Headlines Another Solid Showing By Unc’s Defense

For the second time this season, Carolina ran out to a multi-score lead before allowing their opponent to claw their way back into the game after the offense ground to a halt. Unlike the Clemson game, the Heels managed to put a drive together just in time on Saturday night and down the Blue Devils, 24-20. UNC won despite getting outgained by Duke, turning the ball over twice, muffing a punt and allowing a defensive touchdown; the Heels are nothing if not resilient.

The main reason UNC was in the position for Jaylen McGill’s late touchdown to matter is the play of the defense. The offense ran out to a 17-0 lead early in the second quarter before going dormant until UNC’s final drive. The defense held firm most of the game, getting several key stops to stymie the Blue Devils’ offense. Headlining this defense was the play of Greg Smith III.

Smith came into the game questionable to play, but it didn’t look like whatever ailed him impacted his game. He ended up finishing second on the team in tackles with ten (five solo). He also was credited with two passes defended; but his impact on the game isn’t clearly captured just by looking at the box score. Smith ended up making multiple plays to keep Duke for extending drives or scoring that significantly altered the game:

• After UNC jumped out to their 17 point lead, the Blue Devils drove to inside the red zone. Smith made a tackle on 3rd down, setting up a Duke 4th & 1 at the UNC 2-yard line. Not only did Smith make a great open field tackle to keep Duke RB CJ Campbell Jr. out of the endzone, but he also dragged him down short of the first down line and ending the Blue Devil’s most promising drive of the half.
• On Duke’s next offensive drive, he got a hand on the 3rd down pass intended for Jerimiah Hasley, forcing Duke to punt and limiting any further Blue Devil momentum after they returned Jordan Shipp’s fumble for a touchdown.
• Recorded his other pass defended when Duke was at UNC’s 5 -yards line, helping hold them to a field goal.
• Stopped Campbell again on a 3rd & 6 run late in the third, forcing a Duke punt.

Of course, the defense as a whole played well and should get a lot of credit for keeping the lid on the Blue Devils offense despite UNC’s miscues; that being said, more often than not Smith was the one making the play to stall Duke’s momentum.

Jordan Shipp also gets an honorable mention. Frankly, I was already mentally compiling this article in my head with him at the center of it after the first quarter of play. Shipp caught four passes in the period and scored a touchdown which will draw some NFL scouts’ attention. Unfortunately, he had a bad fumble in the second period that resulted in Duke getting a touchdown and was quieter after that, finishing the day with seven catches for 75 yards and touchdown. He remains far and away the best wide receiver on the roster.

The Heels are suddenly a surprising 4-2 and will face Syracuse next weekend in Chapel Hill.