An injury snapped Bryn Renner‘s streak of consecutive starts just shy of 30 games. The fact that North Carolina is on a bye this weekend could go a long way in helping the quarterback start a new one.
Renner suffered an ankle injury in the Sept. 28 loss to East Carolina and did not play in the loss to Virginia Tech last Saturday. If the Tar Heels took the field this Saturday, it would be unlikely Renner would be healthy enough to go; with a weekend off, it increases the odds Renner could be back under center for the Miami game next Thursday.
Well, at least according to the quarterback, the layoff makes him more optimistic for his availability.
“The days off helped. It’s what I need to get back,” Renner said. “Still not 100 percent but with this 10-day, 11-day layoff… it’s going to be good for (me).”
When you listen to offensive coordinator Blake Anderson, though, a couple of questions (literally) need to be answered over the next six days.
“Is he or is he not 100 percent?” Anderson said according to the Durham Herald-Sun. “Can he move from the pocket, can he protect himself, can he be effective?”
That said, Anderson did say that he’s “comfortable” Renner will be a go for the Hurricanes.
The good news for the Tar Heels is that, if Renner is ultimately unable to go, they have a talented albeit inexperienced player to replace the man who had started 29 straight games.
In relief of Renner against a very good Hokies defense, sophomore Marquise Williams completed nearly 66 percent of his passes for 277 yards and two touchdowns in his first collegiate start -- and did that statistical thing in Blacksburg no less.
Yes, there were the two interceptions that didn’t go unnoticed by the head coach, but there was enough there that left Larry Fedora guardedly optimistic with a former four-star recruit considered the immediate future at the position for the Tar Heels after the senior Renner leaves.
“I was pleased with the way he managed the game,” Fedora said. “Probably would have liked a few things to turn out differently than they did, but overall I don’t think he was flustered. I think he handled the situation very well.”