UNC’s backfield didn’t come with a script in the opener, and that was obvious from the way the carries were split against TCU.
Benjamin Hall got the start and handled the most work early. Jaylen McGill delivered the Tar Heels’ only offensive touchdown. Then, when UNC needed to salt away its 15-10 win with just over four minutes left, Demon “Juju” June took over and finished the job on the final possession.
Hall said Monday that the coaching staff wasn’t working from a fixed plan for the rotation.
“I think they were just playing off feel,” Hall said, referring to how the coaches were using the room. “I don't think there's nothing really predetermined, I guess, for that rotation.”
Hall finished with 11 carries for 36 yards. McGill added five carries for 33 yards, highlighted by a 9-yard touchdown late in the first quarter that tied the game at 10. June didn’t get his first carry until UNC’s last drive, but once he did, he handled six rushes for 25 yards and helped the Tar Heels run out the clock.
That late push is what stood out most to Hall when he looked back on the running game.
“I think we showed we could run the ball when we needed to. Juju closing out the game with the run in the four-minute drill,” Hall said.
The bigger takeaway, though, was how many different options UNC has in the room.
“But I think we just kind of played off feel, and I think it kind of shows that we have guys in the room who can get the job done whenever their number's called,” Hall said. “And so I'm just happy Juju was ready to go and to close out the game, and McGill made some big plays, and we got guys who can make plays for the team, and that's what matters most.”
Bill Belichick said the competition among the backs remains wide open. He also made clear that all three will keep getting chances.
“Well, it's been very competitive. If we had Jim Brown, and Jim Brown was Omarion Hampton, and he was standing out as clearly the best player that's never coming off the field, then that would be one thing. But these guys are all very competitive,” Belichick said Monday.
Belichick added, “We have multiple backs; I'm confident in all of them. They're all going to get their opportunities.
If one guy can emerge as the guy, then he will. If not, then we'll continue to use our depth.”
He also pointed to the broader value of that depth.
“But it's always better to have one too many or two too many running backs than not enough. We've been there before, and that's not good,” Belichick said.
“Those guys are all able to make yards on their own. They're good in pass protection, which is important.
They work well together. I'm glad we have that depth.
We'll just let them compete on the field. We'll see how it turns out.”
UNC’s ground game still left room to grow. The Tar Heels managed 90 rushing yards on 29 attempts, a 3.1-yard average, and Belichick said the film showed missed chances in multiple areas.
“I think we left some yards on the field in all three areas: offensively, in the running game, the passing game, and the return game,” Belichick said. “Defensively, we gave up some yards that I didn't think we needed to give up. We need to do a better job of correcting those mistakes, coaching, and fixing some things.”
Hall wasn’t alarmed by the opener’s numbers.
“We sputtered in Week 1, but you know, it's stuff you're going to see in Week 1,” Hall said. “I think we're on pace.
You know, we're going to have a good year. We're just getting better each and every week.
And so I'm feeling really good about the run game, and I think it'll only get better.”
For now, the message from both Hall and Belichick is the same: the rotation isn’t locked in, the carries will keep being earned, and the guy who separates himself will get the lead role. If that never happens, UNC will keep leaning on its depth.
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