Jacolby Criswell's Injury Update Raises Concerns for UNC in Fenway Bowl
The North Carolina Tar Heels have been facing an uphill battle against the UConn Huskies in the Fenway Bowl, and things took a turn for the worse when starting quarterback Jacolby Criswell was forced to leave the game due to injury. Early in the first quarter, with 4:57 remaining, Criswell scrambled for seven yards on a second-and-16 play but took a heavy hit that left him writhing on the ground. The tackle appeared to be a hip-drop, which caused Criswell to land awkwardly on his shoulder. After receiving medical attention, Criswell walked to the locker room with his left arm visibly hanging, signaling that he might be done for the day.
Up until that point, Criswell had completed just one pass for seven yards and added a seven-yard run. His departure created a significant challenge for the Tar Heels, as backup Michael Merdinger, a true freshman with no regular-season pass attempts, was thrust into action. Merdinger’s first pass attempt in the game fell incomplete, adding pressure to his already daunting task.
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Merdinger, a 6’3”, 200-pound quarterback, has an interesting background. Born in Tel Aviv, Israel, he moved to the United States at the age of eight. He is believed to be the first Israeli-born athlete to play in the FBS. During his high school career at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Merdinger put up impressive numbers, throwing for nearly 2,850 yards and 26 touchdowns in his senior year. He was also known for his dual-threat ability, competing in track and field, which adds an extra layer to his game.
Despite being relatively unknown at the college level, Merdinger's performance in the Fenway Bowl has the potential to be a pivotal moment for both him and the team. The Tar Heels are already trailing by 10 points in the early stages of the game, and the loss of Criswell—who had a solid season with 2,452 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and six interceptions—only adds to the pressure. Merdinger’s ability to step up in this challenging situation could determine the outcome for North Carolina.
This game marks a critical moment for the Tar Heels, and with Criswell’s injury, their hopes for a comeback will rely heavily on the performance of a backup quarterback who has yet to make a name for himself in college football. The situation is made more complex by the fact that Merdinger recently entered the transfer portal, though he decided to remain with the team for the Fenway Bowl. With the game on the line, it will be interesting to see how he handles the pressure and if he can help deliver a victory for North Carolina in a challenging bowl game.
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