North Carolina @ East Carolina preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 20, 2014 ) North Carolina 41, East Carolina 70

North Carolina has a lot to clean up if it hopes to avoid an 0-2 start when it travels to face instate rival East Carolina on Saturday in a non-conference game. The Tar Heels turned the ball over four times and had 124 penalty yards in a season-opening loss, and to make matters worse, recent history is not on their side in the series with the Pirates.

"You hope the old saying is true that you make most improvement between the first and second game," coach Larry Fedora told the media. "Our guys will be very coachable, and they will understand what we need to do to get better." Nathan Elliott threw four interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, and led the offense to three points over the first three quarters before orchestrating two touchdown drives in the final stanza in a 24-17 defeat to California. The defense, led by Malik Carney and Dominique Ross, played well despite being on the field for nearly 36 minutes, limiting Cal to 13 points and 279 yards of offense. The Pirates, who soundly defeated the Tar Heels 55-31 and 70-41 in the last two meetings in 2013 and 2014, respectively, blew leads of 20-14 and 23-21 in the final quarter and a half in dropping their season opener to FCS opponent North Carolina A&T.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU. LINE: North Carolina -17

ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA (0-1): Carney, a senior who had a team-leading 5.5 sacks in each of the past two seasons, was a disruptive force in the opener, leading the team with eight tackles while recording three tackles for loss and a pair of sacks. Jonathan Smith hit for 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks and Ross defended four passes. "What you saw from the linebackers and D-Ross, they're going to shrink gaps and allow me to play fast," senior safety J.K. Britt, who had six tackles, told the media. "Now we just have to build on it."

ABOUT EAST CAROLINA (0-1): The Pirate's running game led by Anthony Scott and Trace Christian struggled in the opener, averaging just 2.3 yards per carry, which forced quarterback Reid Herring to throw it 65 times in his first career start. The sophomore connected on 37 of those attempts for 309 yards and two touchdowns, but threw a pair of interceptions in enemy territory, one of which was returned 100 yards for a score. Terrell Green, who entered the opener with eight receptions for 86 yards in his career, went for 10 and 85 against the Aggies and freshman Blake Proehl had a promising debut with nine catches and a score.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Tar Heels hold a 12-4-1 advantage in the series, including 2-2 in Greenville.

2. East Carolina coach Scottie Montgomery had a 1-10 record against North Carolina as a player and coach for Duke.

3. The Pirates have won four straight and six of eight against the ACC dating back to 2013.

PREDICTION: North Carolina 34, East Carolina 24