The North Carolina Tar Heels' offense remains a work in progress, but showed signs of improvement in Saturday's 20-3, Week 2 win at Charlotte.
UNC (1-1) scored three plays into the game, with Gio Lopez and Chris Culliver connecting on a 51-yard pass. North Carolina didn't score again until late in the second quarter, but finished its night with 300+ yards.
The Tar Heels will have a tougher time generate offense against their Week 3 opponent, the Richmond Spiders, who arrive at Kenan Stadium this coming Saturday for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff.
Richmond (1-1) is also fresh off a win, scoring a fourth-quarter touchdown to come back and beat Wofford, 14-10, on the road. The Spiders only allowed 158 yards of offense last week and, in a loss the previous week at Lehigh, allowed 298 yards.
North Carolina has a deep running back room, but is still trying to find its RB1. Caleb Hood started both the TCU and Charlotte games, but true freshman Demon June turned heads in his collegiate debut last week.
Gio Lopez looked much better against the 49ers, mixing in play action passes with deep bombs, while running when pass protection broke down. Lopez and Culliver showed signs of a strong connection, which is a must-have for new offenses like UNC's.
The Tar Heels might have a tough time generate offense when Richmond comes to town, but Richmond is also an FCS team. North Carolina can't overlook the Spiders, though – just look at the App State-Lindenwood game for reference.
What does UNC need to do Saturday for a Week 3 victory? Keep reading below, as we give you our offensive keys to the game.
Sustain early-drive success throughout
The Tar Heels scored on their opening drive in both Weeks 1 and 2, something extremely encouraging for an offense with plenty of new faces.
There's just one issue: North Carolina's offense largely slowed down after those opening drives. UNC went two quarters between scoring against TCU – and nearly did the same against Charlotte.
It's extremely difficult to score on every drive – and I'm not saying the Tar Heels need to. If North Carolina can play consistent offensively, picking up multiple first downs at a bare minimum, a win is awaiting in Chapel Hill.
Continue opening the playbook for Gio Lopez
Lopez, a dual-threat quarterback, is at his best when he plays without limitations. Freddie Kitchens called plenty variety early in each of UNC's past two games, allowing Lopez to thrive.
As Weeks 1 and 2 progressed, I witnessed Lopez throw plenty more screen passes. Screens can be effective, but if they're a majority of the passes you're completing, defenses can sniff that out easy.
I hope Kitchens gives Lopez more control of the Tar Heels' offense in Week 3, because it could become significantly more dangerous.
Keep playing deep into the RB room, but find a RB1-caliber guy
Seven different Tar Heels carried the football in Saturday's win over Charlotte, led by 52 yards on nine carries from Demon June, a true freshman from Jacksonville, N.C.
Davion Gause scored North Carolina's lone rushing touchdown, recording 30 yards on five carries. Lopez registered 44 yards on nine carries, Caleb Hood picked up 15 yards on five carries, Charleston French and Jordan Shipp combined for four yards on two carries and Benjamin Hall registered three yards on three carries.
This type of depth helps UNC keep opponents guessing, but UNC also needs a closer in tight games. If the Tar Heels can find their “closer” against Richmond, they'll win Saturday – and as their schedule progresses.
Continue to block well
North Carolina didn't allow a single sack against Charlotte, which helped Lopez thrive in the pocket and create running lanes for ballcarriers.
UNC's offensive line struggled against TCU in Week 1, but that's to be expected with a fairly-new unit. Week 2 allowed the Tar Heels to know each other's playing styles going in, which turned into an improved effort.
If North Carolina can replicate its Week 2 performance against Richmond, players will head back into the locker room with a 2-1 record.
Don't let your foot off the gas
When teams get big leads late in games, offense tends to let up. I understand this from a certain standpoint, like not trying to run up the score, but UNC is a team still trying to discover its offensive identity.
Say the Tar Heels get a 28-0 lead in the second quarter. They're sitting pretty, well on the way to victory and start to think about postgame.
Then, bam – Richmond adds 14 quick points before halftime, plus a third quarter touchdown. North Carolina is looking at just a one touchdown lead heading into the fourth quarter, which can't happen.
UNC needs to grab a big lead early – and show no mercy throughout Saturday's afternoon kickoff.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC football's offensive keys to victory against Richmond Spiders
