Post by afrats on Sept 1, 2017 5:38:46 GMT -8
UNC Bears Week 1 Preview
This is the season that the Bears need to prove that they belong in the conversation when it comes to talking about the Big Sky Conference and the top tier teams. They look to start their season off with a bang against the College of Idaho Coyotes, a NAIA school out of Caldwell Idaho. The Coyotes are a team that returns 9 starters from last season on both sides of the ball, and will prove to be a good test for the Bears out the gate.
The Bears come into this season offensively with some depth and experience at the skilled position. Red Shirt Junior QB Jacob Knipp is returning from a season ending injury in the second game last season, and looks to show that he is as prolific passer as his backup (and now on the Denver Broncos) last season, Kyle Sloter. Knipp will have many weapons, with Trae Riek leading the way out of the backfield. Riek suffered a few injuries last season, but still mustered 741 yards on the ground. Knipp will also have 3 experienced, and very fast wide receivers in Alex Wesley (R-Jr), Ellis Onic II (R-Sr), and Hakeem Deggs (R-Sr). These three look to make it tough on defenses, stretching the field for the QB and RBs to have room to operate.
Where the Bears are a little light in the experience is the offensive line, with 8 out of the 10 on the two-deep listed as either redshirt freshmen or true freshmen. If this line can gel early and pick up the blocking schemes that Coach Trevor Wikre (Offensive Line Coach) has for them then this team has an opportunity to be a great team and make a splash in the Big Sky.
On the Defensive side of the ball the Bears will need to be better against the run this season, yielding near 240 yards per game on the ground last season. The defensive side of the ball has plenty of experience to go around, and return all 4 defensive backs from last season. Those DBs will need to get more than the 2 interceptions than they gathered last season if they want to be seen as something to avoid.
Overall, Coach Collins and his coaches have assembled a very good team and if they can avoid the injury bug they will be pushing their way into the post season this year. They have finished 6-5 in each of the last 2 campaigns, and have repeatedly stated that that is not good enough for this season.
You can always listen to the Bears on 1310kfka.com with Troy Coverdale and Aaron Rath on the call. The game against the Coyotes kicks off at 2:05 MT with pregame starting at 1:05 MT.
This is the season that the Bears need to prove that they belong in the conversation when it comes to talking about the Big Sky Conference and the top tier teams. They look to start their season off with a bang against the College of Idaho Coyotes, a NAIA school out of Caldwell Idaho. The Coyotes are a team that returns 9 starters from last season on both sides of the ball, and will prove to be a good test for the Bears out the gate.
The Bears come into this season offensively with some depth and experience at the skilled position. Red Shirt Junior QB Jacob Knipp is returning from a season ending injury in the second game last season, and looks to show that he is as prolific passer as his backup (and now on the Denver Broncos) last season, Kyle Sloter. Knipp will have many weapons, with Trae Riek leading the way out of the backfield. Riek suffered a few injuries last season, but still mustered 741 yards on the ground. Knipp will also have 3 experienced, and very fast wide receivers in Alex Wesley (R-Jr), Ellis Onic II (R-Sr), and Hakeem Deggs (R-Sr). These three look to make it tough on defenses, stretching the field for the QB and RBs to have room to operate.
Where the Bears are a little light in the experience is the offensive line, with 8 out of the 10 on the two-deep listed as either redshirt freshmen or true freshmen. If this line can gel early and pick up the blocking schemes that Coach Trevor Wikre (Offensive Line Coach) has for them then this team has an opportunity to be a great team and make a splash in the Big Sky.
On the Defensive side of the ball the Bears will need to be better against the run this season, yielding near 240 yards per game on the ground last season. The defensive side of the ball has plenty of experience to go around, and return all 4 defensive backs from last season. Those DBs will need to get more than the 2 interceptions than they gathered last season if they want to be seen as something to avoid.
Overall, Coach Collins and his coaches have assembled a very good team and if they can avoid the injury bug they will be pushing their way into the post season this year. They have finished 6-5 in each of the last 2 campaigns, and have repeatedly stated that that is not good enough for this season.
You can always listen to the Bears on 1310kfka.com with Troy Coverdale and Aaron Rath on the call. The game against the Coyotes kicks off at 2:05 MT with pregame starting at 1:05 MT.
Graphic courtesy of David.
