The UNC football team may be coming off a season in which it went just 3-8, but expectations are higher for a team that coaches say is very talented offensively.
The biggest question going into fall camp was who would replace starting quarterback Bryan Waggener.
That question was cleared up last week when University of Northern Colorado head coach Scott Downing named junior Dylan Orms the leader in the quarterback battle.
While Orms did not start a game under center last season, he isn't without playing experience.
Orms played in 11 games last year as Waggener's backup, going 6-for-10 passing for 96 yards and two touchdowns.
"Because of his experience, Dylan probably has an edge on most of them," Downing said.
Though Orms has been named the leader, Downing said the competition was very close from the first day of fall practice. "I think we've got a very competitive situation," Downing said. "They each bring some different talents to the table."
Despite the fact that the quarterbacks have been the dominant story in camp this year, they are not the only storyline to follow.
The Bears receiving corps could be the team's biggest offensive strength going into the season. UNC returns most of the receivers who contributed last year, and should have plenty of talent to replace wideout Alex Thompson.
"Losing Alex obviously was a big loss because he was our go-to guy last year. He had a lot of production, but 12 of 13 guys who caught balls last year returned, so I think we've got a lot more experience on the field," Downing said. "We really think this is the strength of our team, and we're excited about it."
The Bears have sophomore wide receiver Dominic Gunn and senior wide receiver Brandon Smith, who both went down with injuries last year, returning to the lineup.
First-year offensive coordinator Greg Peterson said he is happy with the progression of the running game this offseason.
"With Andre (Harris) and Jhamele (Robinson) and our fullbacks, we've got some talent in the backfield," Peterson said. "We can be a one-back team, we can be a two-back team, and those guys can catch the ball in the backfield."
It's no secret that UNC's offense didn't click on many levels last year, finishing last in the Big Sky in scoring, but Peterson thinks that will change this year.
"From the spring, I thought by the end of the ninth or 10th practice, we started to make strides and understand, and where we're at right now, we're leaps and bounds from where we began, and we can be a very, very good offensive football team," Peterson said.
If the Bears can avoid the injury bug, look for them to improve on last year's win total, perhaps significantly. UNC could be an offensive force to be reckoned with when Adams State comes knocking at 1:35 p.m. Sept. 4 at Nottingham Field.
"We haven't played a game, but I think we have the capability of being a more explosive offense than we were a year ago," Downing said.
Be the first to comment on this article!