UNC Football: Tar Heels Getting Better in the Red Zone - SCACCHoops.com

UNC Football: Tar Heels Getting Better in the Red Zone

by Tobacco Road Rivalries

Posted: 7/12/2014 9:52:29 PM


Larry Fedora’s spread offense has received it’s share of criticism since arriving in Chapel Hill particularly with it’s effectiveness inside the Red Zone.  Each time UNC has a drive end up close to the end zone announcers can be heard discussing the Tar Heels shotgun formation and that the spread makes it difficult to produce inside the twenty yard line.  Is the spread effective in the Red Zone or would the Tar Heels benefit from having a more tradition approach?  I went inside the numbers to see how effective North Carolina has been inside the twenty yard line in Larry Fedora’s first two years in Chapel Hill.

The 2013 Tar Heels converted 89 percent of their opportunities in the red zone compared to 81 percent the previous year. North Carolina also kicked fewer field goals inside the twenty than they did in 2012.  After losing most of the offensive line and running back Gio Bernard I would have thought there would be a significant drop off in Red Zone efficiency.

Despite North Carolina’s overall Red Zone efficiency things did not start off well in 2013 for Larry Fedora.  Following the Miami game where North Carolina’s inability to finish drives cost North Carolina a Thursday night win in Chapel Hill, the Tar Heels ranked 97th in the nation only converting 57% of their trips inside the twenty into touchdowns.  The Miami game sparked a streak where UNC would win six of its last seven games finishing the season converting 73% of its Red Zone opportunities into touchdowns.

Was the second half improvement due to the schedule lightening up or was  the addition of TJ Logan and Marquise Williams to the offense the catalyst North Carolina needed? Both are legitimate answers nevertheless with an improved offensive line and a stable of running backs this trend should continue into 2014.

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Categories: Football, Miami, UNC, Virginia

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