After he became the latest member of North Carolina’s 700 club – those UNC defensive coordinators whose defenses have allowed more than 700 yards to an opponent – John Papuchis began a period of self-reflection.
“It starts out with us all looking in the mirror, starting with me,” Papuchis, the Tar Heels’ first-year defensive coordinator, said after practice earlier this week.
Through two weeks of a young college football season, UNC has been one of the worst defensive teams in the country. Among major-conference teams it has been the worst. No other team from a Power 5 conference is allowing more yards per game (587) or per play (7.