How UNC's Offensive Line Took A Step Forward in Game 1

CHAPEL HILL — North Carolina had the same five offensive linemen play every snap in just two games during Bill Belichick's first season with the Tar Heels. There was little cohesion up front. One game into the new season, UNC has already done it once. The Tar Heels' 15-10 win over TCU in Dublin, Ireland, marked just the third time in 13 games under Belichick that five offensive linemen played every snap. For a position that has dealt with plenty of moving pieces over the past year, it's a strong foundation for what UNC hopes will be a more stable season up front. "First of all, it was good to have them all out there," Belichick said on Monday when asked about the offensive line's performance. "That was a good thing. Hopefully, that continues. The more those guys play together, the more they can communicate and see the game through one set of eyes, which is really important." Jordan Hall started at left tackle, Aidan Banfield at left guard, Christo Kelly at center, Andrew Threatt at right guard and JacQawn McRoy at right tackle, all playing 58 snaps. Belichick said the continuity along the offensive line isn't only beneficial for the five-man unit, but it's equally as important for communication with quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. "That group playing together cohesively is very important for the success of the offense, but also in coordination with the quarterback," Belichick said. "He needs to know, especially in pass protection, who's blocked and who isn't. That camaraderie, according to Belichick, was built over the offseason both on and off the field. "Getting all those guys on the same page, being able to work with them through the spring and through training camp, [player-led practices], in summer conditioning, stuff like that, those things all help gel that group together," Belichick said. "Those guys spend a lot of time together as most offensive linemen do." Of course, keeping the same five linemen on the field for every snap requires more than just continuity. It requires conditioning, too. But Kelly said their practices and workouts with strength and conditioning coach Moses Cabrera allow them to play for a full 60 minutes. "We get put through a lot here during practice," Kelly said. "I'd say that most of our practices are probably harder than what we were doing out there [during the game]. Moses [Cabrera] does such a good job of preparing us for the work that we go through…" "Every coach really says practice is going to be harder than the game, but for us, it's the reality. We've had a lot longer days, longer drives that we're doing out there." Kelly said the communication and familiarity also allow the linemen to time up their double teams and, perhaps most importantly, develop trust in one another. "A lot of it's developing trust, knowing that you can see something happen, say a call and everyone's going to know what to do," Kelly said. The Tar Heels' offensive line allowed three sacks to the Horned Frogs' defensive front. On the ground, UNC averaged 3.1 yards per carry. Although UNC didn't have the greatest offensive performance in Dublin, particularly along the offensive line, the continuity, the team believes, will pay dividends as the season progresses. "Just that camaraderie, that teamwork that is really important to all five of those spots," Belichick said. "We're way ahead of where we were last year, and hopefully we can continue to build on that."