Bear Insights: North Carolina

Beyond the obvious and plentiful positives coming from Cal's 35-30 victory over North Carolina yesterday, a few tidbits stood out:

• Cal gained 6.5 yards per play; Our average last year was 5.9 yards per play.  Perhaps the offense isn't rebuidling?
• The Bears held North Carolina to only 4.9 yards per play.  Cal's defense gave up an average of 6.7 yards per play last year.   As great an improvement as one could have imagined
• As to our new offensive scheme, balance seems to be the intention with 35 rushing attempts and 38 passing attempts.
• The least experienced offensive line among Power 5 teams acquitted itself quite well yesterday on passing downs, allowing but one sack.
• Ross Bowers QB rating was 168 in his first ever start, on the road against a Power 5 team that returned 8 starters on defense and had won 18 games the past two seasons
• To put Bowers performance in perspective, fellow Pac 12 QBs both of whom are considered Hesiman favorites did not fare as well.  Against Rutgers on the road, Jake Browning posted a 158 QB rating while Sam Darnold at home vs. Western Michigan managed only a 131
• Defensively, we held North Carolina's Chazz Surratt to a 124 rating (though he showed off an effective set of legs) and Brandon Harris to a 50 rating.  
• The new coaching staff earned some kudos for halft time adjustments.  After the Tar Heels racked up 250 first half yards, in the third quarter North Carolina managed only 60 yards total offense on 18 plays.  
• Meanwhile, Cal's 3rd quarter offense produced 14 points on two 70+ yard drives