SportSaturday for Nov. 7

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North Carolina vs. Duke

A PUBLICATION OF The Daily Tar Heel | NOVEMBER 7, 2009SportSaturday

slim fast

2 | KicKoff 11/7/09 | DTH SPoRTSATURDAY

PRoDUcTion mAnAgeR:Stacy Wynn

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Christopher Creech, retail sales manager;

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Steingraber, assistant account executive; Kristen Liebers, marketing associate.

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Cover photo: DTH FILE/Ryan JonesCover design: Anne Krisulewicz

DaviD reynolDsSPORTSATURDAy EDITOR

anna Kim, marK thompson

ASSISTANT SPORTSATURDAy EDITORS

ashley Bennet, anne Krisulewicz

SPORTSATURDAy DESIGN EDITORS

anDrew DunnDAILy TAR HEEL EDITOR

Jennifer KessingerSPECIAL SECTIONS COPy EDITOR

powell latimer

DTH SPORTS EDITOR

louie horvath, Jonathan Jones, chris hempson

ASSISTANT DTH SPORTS EDITORS

anDrew JohnsonDTH PHOTO EDITOR

SPORTSATuRDAy STAFF

North Carolina is a basket-ball school, and it always will be.

It’s hard to argue against names like Michael Jordan, Phil Ford and James Worthy. But being part of one of the nation’s best basketball programs doesn’t make you king of the campus.

So I came up with the top five list of reasons why it’s better to be a football player at UNC.

5. The Tony Siragusa meal plan. Forget Lenoir meal plans. Football players get to wield the Siragusa meal plan. You get allocated a cer-tain amount of money for meals, and you gentleman put it to good use. I know how the linemen hit up every deal beginning with “all-you-can-eat,” and I don’t blame you. If it was my job to remain 300 pounds, I’d take it very seriously too.

4. Fewer losses to Duke. The North Carolina football team hasn’t lost to Duke since 2003. That’s more than four years before the basketball team’s last loss.

Basketball has the hardware, but football totes silverware

marK thompsonTHE MT BRAIN

3. The origin of Rameses. UNC used to have a tough, powerful fullback named Jack Merritt, but fans knew him as “the batter-ing ram.” In 1924, Vic Huggins, UNC’s head cheerleader, sug-gested North Carolina find a symbol as domineering as other school’s mascots and picked a ram in honor of Merritt. Not only was Rameses named after a football player, but he also still refuses to attend UNC basketball games.

2. 20-17 > 68-66. Last week’s 20-17 last second win against Virginia Tech is much more mean-ingful than the basketball teams’ last second 68-66 basketball

DELAy OF GAME

win in 2008. Even though Tyler Hansbrough celebrated his shot like Usain Bolt on fire, the fact that UNC’s basketball team almost lost to Virginia Tech makes last week’s football win more mean-ingful — actually worth doing the Hansbrough trot over.

1. Facemask fortification. The No. 1 reason why it’s better to be a UNC football player than a bas-ketball player — your facemask protects you from unwanted Duke elbows (see Henderson, Gerald).

Luckily for football players, the only Duke player’s arm small enough to fit through a facemask is Jon Scheyer’s — and he plays basketball.

So there you have it — the top five reasons why being a football player at UNC is superior.

And even if you disagree, just ask a basketball player.

All they got was a dinky ring.

Contact the Mark Thompson at [email protected].

coveR SToRY | 3 DTH SPoRTSATURDAY | 11/7/09

Houston sheds pounds to gain extra yardage

DTH FILE/ANDREW DyE

Ryan Houston has lost 28 pounds from his freshman to junior seasons. He has boosted his yards per carry from 3.3 to a career-high of 4.0.

By DaviD reynolDsSPORTSATURDAy EDITOR

When Ryan Houston arrived at practice for his first conditioning drills his freshman year, he consid-ered himself to be in pretty good shape.

But as soon as he heard North Carolina strength and condition-ing coach Jeff Connors rattle off what he expected out of every player, Houston learned just how far he had to go.

Connors wanted sprints — 16 of them — all exactly 110 yards and every single one a race against the clock.

“I know that if I had to do it, I couldn’t have done it,” Houston said.

Fortunately for the then-273-pound tailback, first-year players weren’t required to pass the test.

But while his physical limita-tions didn’t keep him from prac-ticing with the team, they did limit his production on the field.

Touted by Rivals as the No. 21 running back recruit in the nation and No. 7 player in North Carolina, Houston found himself buried on UNC’s depth chart.

An admittedly rotund Houston slogged for only 145 yards on 44

attempts that year, good for just a paltry 3.3 yards per carry.

“I always would see the hole, but I couldn’t always make it going as fast as I could because I was so heavy,” Houston said.

“Trying to play at this level, I felt like after my first season I couldn’t get to where I wanted to go.”

Getting there required two major lifestyle changes for a player who was becoming known more for his mammoth size than his carries.

Out was a sedentary offseason filled with fried chicken, fast food and other greasy fares.

In their place came a steady diet of fruit, vegetables and — of course — plenty of running.

The result has been the classic case of addition by subtraction.

Having dropped his weight by 28 pounds to a svelte 245, Houston’s well on his way to his most productive season at UNC in his junior season.

“With his weight being down from what it was when he was a freshman, he’s quicker. His change of direction is better,” running backs coach Ken Browning said.

Houston has used that improved speed to boost his yards per carry

to 4.0 this season, rushing for 287 yards and seven touchdowns.

But that’s not to say Houston — the power back in the Tar Heels’ backfield — still doesn’t utilize all of the size he has left.

Houston has only been brought down once for a loss the entire season, making him particularly effective on short yardage situa-tions and late-game conditions.

“When they’re tired and he still weighs 245 pounds in the fourth quarter, you’ve got to bring some wood to drop the guy,” Browning said. “You had better wrap up and get some help.”

Used primarily in a backup role to Shaun Draughn early in the sea-son, Houston’s production when he did see the field could not be ignored by UNC’s coaches.

After the Tar Heels’ loss to Virginia, coach Butch Davis said the workload split between the two backs would move closer to even due to Houston’s ability to almost always gain positive yardage.

So far, that decision has sparked plenty of improvement in a run-ning game that struggled to open conference play.

UNC rushers have combined for more than 150 total rushing yards

in each of the three games follow-ing Houston’s increased time on the field.

“I love that substitution the coaches are doing because it keeps me fresh and it keeps him fresh,” Draughn said. “When he gets in, he’s hungry, and when I get it, I’m

hungry.”And as for those sprints?Once a source of anxiety for a

chunky freshman, now they are a necessity for a chiseled junior.

“Now it’s like clockwork for me,” Houston said. “I’m in shape like that.”

4 | gAmeDAY PRevieW 11/7/09 | DTH SPoRTSATURDAY

Embattled Yates pushes on

DTH FILE/ANDREW DyE

Quarterback T.J. yates has experienced plenty of highs and lows this sea-son for UNC. He has thrown nine touchdowns and nine interceptions.

By anna KimASSISTANT SPORTSATURDAy EDITOR

When quarterback T.J. Yates steps on the field at Kenan Stadium on Tuesdays, he is expected to start anew.

He hears the coach’s reminders to leave all other Saturdays — or Thursdays — behind.

“When we come out to practice, we don’t know if we won or lost,” offensive coordinator John Shoop said. “The best way is to tear off the rearview mirrors and start think-ing about the next game.”

But for Yates, a season of disap-pointments and redemptions has left landmarks and scars.

That includes last Thursday, when the quarterback led a 20-17 win over Virginia Tech, which had been in the national championship hunt just 12 days earlier.

He doesn’t mind recalling the subsequent pandemonium in the locker room — where the only regularity was the smiles on every-body’s faces.

“It’s kind of hard not to take more time with this win and savor it a little bit,” he said.

But the victory came in stark contrast to his previous exit off a field — when he was hit by a coin hurled from the stands following a 30-27 loss to Florida State in UNC’s first Thursday night game.

After leading the team to its best start since 1997, the quarterback’s performance had later come under intense scrutiny.

And ripping off the rearview mirror proves nearly impossible when the quarterback remains under a magnifying glass.

And he, of all people, knows it. “The lowest point was after

Georgia Tech and Virginia,” Yates said. “We were hitting the low spot in our offense, and our defense was doing all they could do. And we weren’t helping them out at all.”

In a 24-7 loss against the Yellow Jackets, Yates completed a mere 11 of 26 attempts for 137 yards with two interceptions and a missed shotgun snap that accounted for another turnover.

UNC was able to convert on only one of 11 third downs and retained possession for a paltry 17:54 min-utes of game time.

The next week, the Tar Heels dropped a 16-3 contest to ACC bottom-feeder Virginia, and Yates

threw two more interceptions and converted 20 of 36 attempts.

And as much as he hears the coach’s reminders to forget, he heard the criticism of those who don’t. He even heard it from his own teammates.

“It’s very frustrating when they’re going three and out and we’re back on the field or they’re turning the ball over and we’re back on the field,” defensive end Robert Quinn said in a postgame interview.

This season, Yates has thrown for a season-high two touchdown passes three times. He has thrown nine interceptions and has only two games without an interception.

“Sometimes if you have a bad team, you know you have a bad team and you’re overmatched,” Yates said. “But that wasn’t the case with us. It frustrates you when you know you can do bet-ter, but there’s always something that’s kind of holding you back from that.”

Running back Shaun Draughn attributed a slew of injuries on the offensive line to Yates’ struggles.

“A lot of people say that it’s the decisions he’s making,” Draughn said. “Sit back there and get sacked a couple times. That can mess with someone.”

Wide receiver Erik Highsmith said the offense remains confident in its quarterback.

But still, it may prove impossible to tear off the rearview mirrors just yet.

But with four games left in the season, Shoop hopes Yates can make everybody forget about the passing game’s woes to this point.

“There’s still some football to be played this year,” Shoop said. “We are going to write the script. He’s going to write the script.”

KEy MATCHuPS

Draughn has had two consecutive solid games running the ball, which has taken some of the pressure off of the passing game. Vincent Rey is a defensive playmaker and leads the Blue Devils in tackles. Rey, with the help of linemen Vince Oghobaase and Wesley Oglesby, will try to beat Draughn to the corner and slow him down on sweeps. Draughn will need to use his blocks to run effectively.

VINCENT REy DUKE LINEBACKER

SHAUN DRAUGHNUNC RUNNING BACK

Thaddeus Lewis is arguably the best quarterback in the ACC. Deunta Williams and the secondary are going to have their hands full trying to contain Lewis’ passing attack, espe-cially with standout freshman Conner Vernon slipping through defenses the way he is. Williams, like Lewis, will have a view of the whole field during plays, and he will try to dictate the plays almost as much as Lewis will.

THADDEUS LEWISDUKE QUARTERBACK

DEUNTA WILLIAMS UNC SAFETy

gAmeDAY PRevieW | 5DTH SPoRTSATURDAY | 11/7/09

David Mark Anna Powell Mike Chris Nikhil Reynolds Thompson Kim Latimer Ehrlich Hempson PatelLast Week 5-3 6-2 6-2 3-5 7-1 6-2 5-3Record to date 18-14 (.563) 20-12(.625) 21-11 (.656) 18-14 (.563) 24-8 (.750) 21-11 (.656) 20-12(.625)

Duke at uNC uNC uNC uNC uNC uNC uNC uNCLSU at Alabama Bama Bama Bama Bama LSU Bama BamaOhio State at Penn St. Penn St. Penn St. Penn St. Penn St. Penn St. Penn St. Ohio St.USC at Arizona St. USC USC USC Arizona St. USC USC USCNavy at Notre Dame Notre Dame Notre Dame Notre Dame Notre Dame Notre Dame Notre Dame Notre DameWake Forest at Georgia Tech GT GT GT GT GT GT GTFlorida State at Clemson FSU FSU FSU FSU Clemson Clemson ClemsonVirginia at Miami Miami Miami Miami Miami Miami Miami Miami

Dth picKs of the weeKThe DTH SportSaturday staff and one celebrity compete to pick the win-ners of the biggest ACC and national college football games each week.The DTH Picks of the Week returns from

more than a three-week hiatus, and the pick-ers are back and ready for more.

Football beat writer Mike Ehrlich has strengthened his hold on the first-place stand-ing and continues his quest to defend his Picks of the Week title.

After an embarrassing week of picks, the DTH sports staff managed to pull themselves out of the dregs and above .500.

As expected, the underdog celebrity pick of the week, George Washington, managed to go

5-3, tying SportSaturday Editor David Reynolds who continues his unchallenged quest to remain at the very bottom of the standings with resilience and fortitude.

This week, Nikhil Patel, the president of the youth for Western Civilization, will face off against protestor Haley Koch, the final guest picker, who disagrees with the group’s ideas.

The two have had their shared of differences in the political arena, and now they will pit their differences in the sporting arena.

Let the games continue.Nikhil Patel

UNC receivers finding space rushing the ballBy marK thompsonASSISTANT SPORTSATURDAy EDITOR

Defenses know that when Greg Little or Jheranie Boyd are in motion, it makes their job a lot tougher.

Of all the skill sets possessed by the North Carolina wideouts, the most advantageous, especially recently, has been their running ability on reverses and end-around plays.

“They demand a lot of respect when they go in motion, so defens-es switch and rotate to that,” wide receiver Erik Highsmith said.

But Boyd and Little demand more than respect from opposing defenses. They demand attention.

The two receivers have com-bined for 193 yards on 25 carries and a touchdown. With an aver-age pickup of 7.72 yards per rush, defenses are forced to pay attention to UNC’s pre-snap movement.

“When we go in motion, they always think we are going to get the end-around,” Boyd said.

“That throws off defenses, they motion towards us, they shift towards us and that opens up the running game, so the reverses help

out a lot.”Highsmith said that running a

reverse, or a play action reverse, puts him in single coverage situ-ations, which is exactly what the offense wants.

And with tight end Zack Pianalto back in the lineup, UNC can stretch opposing defenses even thinner.

“It helps out a ton because Pianalto is a great tight end,” Boyd said. “I think we struggled a little bit while he was out but when he came back it had an impact.”

As long as North Carolina has offensive success with reverse plays, UNC will continue to run them.

“That’s just another part of our offense that helps us move the football,” wide receivers coach Charlie Williams said. “All these guys enjoy running the reverses and end-arounds so it works out pretty good.”

End-around plays present the Tar Heels with multiple options.

Run and gain around seven yards; fake a run and throw a pass to a wide receiver; or their newest trick, fake a run and have a receiv-er throw down field.

A g a i n s t V i r g i n i a Te c h , Highsmith took a handoff on what looked like a reverse, and then

threw it to Little down field. The play broke down early when

Highsmith bobbled the handoff, providing a Virginia Tech safety enough time to adjust to the play and cover an open Little.

Still, it is one more weapon for the Tar Heels and one more play for which opponents must adjust.

Reverses and end-arounds alone could help pace UNC’s aerial attack for the rest of the season.

“We’re feeling real comfortable We got a little swag going through us,” Highsmith said. “We know what we can do now so we are just trying to finish the season.”

Reverses, end-arounds pace offense

Veteran Lewis boasts experience, success

6 | BReAKDoWn 11/7/09 | DTH SPoRTSATURDAY,


Duke coach David Cutcliffe didn’t put quarterback Thaddeus Lewis among a group that included Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Heath Shuler and Tee Martin.

For one game, he placed Lewis above them.

After a 49-28 victory in which Lewis readily handled the Wolfpack for 502 yards on total offense and 13 of 19 conversions on third-down attempts, the coach needed to make one statement.

“It has to be the best game I’ve ever had a quarterback have in college,” Cutcliffe said to .

The early October game was only one of the impressive victories that the fourth-year starter has orchestrated en route to the team’s 5-3 record.

A three-game streak that began with the win over N.C. State marks an accomplishment that has not been reached by Duke since 1989.

With it, the Blue Devils have risen to the top of the ACC standings, tied in the loss column with Georgia Tech.

It remains an unexpected but not unbelievable feat — with credit to Lewis.

The athletic quarterback has show-cased his strong arm in the confer-ence’s top-ranked pass offense that

averages 325.1 yards per game and ranks fifth in the NCAA.

In eight games, Lewis boasts a 63.5 completion percentage with 15 touch-downs and four interceptions.

The quarterback ranks second in passing average per game behind Florida State’s Christian Ponder.

“He can extend plays,” coach Butch Davis said. “When protection breaks down, or by design, they can use him in quarterback draws. He can get them outside the pocket. He can run. He’s throwing the ball well, and he’s very dangerous.”

Davis compared the multidimen-sionality of Lewis’ game to that of Virginia Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who faced the Tar Heels in the team’s victory in Blacksburg.

Safety Deunta Williams shared a similar scouting report on the rival quarterback.

“He has enough athletic ability that when the play breaks down, he can make plays,” Williams said. “He’s always looking downfield to throw the deep bombs.”

But in addition to Lewis’ offensive capabilities, the veteran quarterback has proven to rarely make mistakes.

Lewis has thrown only four inter-ceptions this season despite leading the conference in attempts.

During his junior season, he held

the school record for most consecutive pass attempts without an interception with 206, and most pass attempts in a game without an interception with 52.

Despite Lewis’ high success in the passing game, the Blue Devils’ total offense only ranks forth in the ACC.

While anchored by premiere quar-terback play, the Blue Devils have proved to be weighed down by the conference’s worst rushing offense that averages a meager 75.2 yards per game on the ground.

As a result, Lewis’ passing perfor-mances have accounted for much of the team’s unforeseen success. But it came as no surprise to North Carolina quarterback T.J. Yates.

Yates is well acquainted with the Duke quarterback both on and off the field, beginning with the Manning camp held in the summer.

“He’s an extremely smart guy,” Yates said. “He’s been around a long, long time. I was watching some of his games and he seems to have it all together.”

At camp, Yates said they discussed football — along with a few interjec-tions made by the UNC quarter-back.

“Yeah I haven’t seen the victory bell in their possession,” he said. “We’d like to keep it that way.”

20

83 A. Kelly17 S. Bell

79 K. Hill76 C. Irwin

67 M. Lederman55 B. Harper

21 R. Boyette27 J. Hollingsworth

16 K. Burney37 L. Fantroy

42 R. Quinn94 M. McAdoo

93 C. Thomas97 A. Mullins

9 M. Austin91 T. Powell

92 E.J. Wilson90 Q. Coples

12 C. Brown23 J. Hemby

47 Q. Sturdivant47 Z. Brown

68 B. Moore74 D. Harding

26 D. Varner86 J. Trezvant

2 C. Vernon37 J. Williams

54 B. Carter57 D. Guy

48 K. Reddick36. K. Tinsley

21 D. Searcy28 J. Smith

77 J. Holt71 J. Needham

9 T. Lewis19 S. Renfree

62 B. Morgan65 J. Cowart

87 B. Huffman22 B. King

27 D. Williams10 M. Williams

WHen DUKe HAS THe BAllNo. Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Pos. _ _ YR.1 _ _ Zach Greene _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ CB _ _ _ Fr.2 _ _ Conner Vernon _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ WR _ _ _ Fr.3 _ _ Vince Oghobaase _ _ _ _ _ _ DT _ _ _ Sr.4 _ _ Walt Canty _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ S _ _ _ _ Fr.5 _ _ Kyle Griswould _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ RB _ _ _ Fr.6 _ _ Ross Cockrell _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ CB _ _ _ Fr.7 _ _ Leon Wright _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ CB _ _ _ Sr.8 _ _ Abraham Kromah _ _ _ _ _ _ LB _ _ _ Jr.9 _ _ Thaddeus Lewis _ _ _ _ _ _ _ QB _ _ _ Sr.10 _ Guillermo Freile _ _ _ _ _ _ _ K _ _ _ _ So.10 _ Matt Pridemore _ _ _ _ _ _ _ WR _ _ _ So.11 _ Randez James _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ CB _ _ _ Fr.*12 _ Sean Schroeder _ _ _ _ _ _ _ QB _ _ _ Fr.14 _ Corey Gattis _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ WR _ _ _ Fr.15 _ Taylor Sowell _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ CB _ _ _ Fr.16 _ Chris Rwabukamba _ _ _ _ _ CB _ _ _ Fr.17 _ Sheldon Bell _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ WR _ _ _ Jr.18 _ Alex King _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ P _ _ _ _ So.18 _ Jeremy Ringfield _ _ _ _ _ _ _ DE _ _ _ Jr.19 _ Sean Renfree _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ QB _ _ _ Fr.*20 _ Lee Butler _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ CB _ _ _ So.21 _ Re’quan Boyette _ _ _ _ _ _ _ RB _ _ _ Sr.22 _ Brandon King _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ TE _ _ _ Jr.23 _ Catron Gainey _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ S _ _ _ _ Sr.24 _ Garett Patterson _ _ _ _ _ _ _ S _ _ _ _ Fr.25 _ Georgie Kerber _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ WR _ _ _ Fr.26 _ Donovan Varner _ _ _ _ _ _ _ WR _ _ _ So.27 _ Jay Hollingsworth _ _ _ _ _ _ RB _ _ _ So.28 _ Kevin Rojas _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ LB _ _ _ Fr.29 _ Lex Butler _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ CB _ _ _ Fr.30 _ Colin Jones _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ CB _ _ _ So.31 _ Vincent Rey _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ LB _ _ _ Sr.32 _ Cameron Jones _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ RB _ _ _ So.33 _ Desmond Scott _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ RB _ _ _ Fr.34 _ Anthony young-Wiseman _ _ S _ _ _ _ Fr.35 _ Jeffrey Faris _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ S _ _ _ _ So.36 _ Stephan Lotfi _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ WR _ _ _ Jr.36 _ Preston Scott _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ WR _ _ _ So.37 _ Johnny Williams _ _ _ _ _ _ _ WR _ _ _ So.38 _ Jordon Byas _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ S _ _ _ _ Fr.*39 _ Adam Banks _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ LB _ _ _ Jr.40 _ Matt Daniels _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ S _ _ _ _ So.41 _ Eriks Reks _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ DE _ _ _ So.42 _ Kinney Rucker _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ NG _ _ _ Sr.43 _ Patrick Kurunwune _ _ _ _ _ _ RB _ _ _ Fr.*44 _ Jack Farrell _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ TE _ _ _ Fr.45 _ Austin Gamble _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ LB _ _ _ Fr.46 _ Sam Payne _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ TE _ _ _ Jr.46 _ Ned Smith _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ LB _ _ _ Fr.47 _ Nick Maggio _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ K _ _ _ _ Jr.48 _ Andrew Holoman _ _ _ _ _ _ LB _ _ _ Jr.49 _ Kevin Jones _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ P _ _ _ _ Jr.50 _ Tyree Glover _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ LB _ _ _ Fr.51 _ Jordan Baltes _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ LB _ _ _ Sr.51 _ Will Hunter _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ DE _ _ _ So.52 _ August Campbell _ _ _ _ _ _ _ LB _ _ _ Fr.53 _ Michael Tooley _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ LB _ _ _ Jr.54 _ Brandon Putnam _ _ _ _ _ _ _ DE _ _ _ Fr.55 _ Brandon Harper _ _ _ _ _ _ _ OG _ _ _ Jr.56 _ Damian Thornton _ _ _ _ _ _ _ LB _ _ _ Jr.57 _ Travis Gibson _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ OL _ _ _ Fr.58 _ Curtis Hazelton _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ NG _ _ _ Fr.*62 _ Bryan Morgan _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ C _ _ _ _ Jr.63 _ Chris Shannon _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ OT _ _ _ So.64 _ Joey Finison _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ OT _ _ _ Fr.65 _ Jeffrey Cowart _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ C _ _ _ _ Jr.67 _ Mitchell Lederman _ _ _ _ _ _ OG _ _ _ Jr.68 _ Brian Moore _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ OG _ _ _ Fr.*69 _ Teddy Force _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ OL _ _ _ Fr.70 _ John Coleman _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ OT _ _ _ Fr.71 _ Jon Needham _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ OT _ _ _ So.72 _ Perry Simmons _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ OT _ _ _ Fr.74 _ Dave Harding _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ OG _ _ _ Fr.75 _ Robert Drum _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ OG _ _ _ Jr.76 _ Conor Irwin _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ OT _ _ _ Fr.*77 _ Jarrod Holt _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ OG _ _ _ Sr.78 _ Jackson Anderson _ _ _ _ _ _ OG _ _ _ Fr.*79 _ Kyle Hill _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ OT _ _ _ So.80 _ Tony Foster _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ WR _ _ _ Fr.*81 _ Tyree Watkins _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ WR _ _ _ Fr.82 _ Sydney Sarmiento _ _ _ _ _ _ DT _ _ _ Fr.83 _ Austin Kelly _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ WR _ _ _ Jr.84 _ Kenny Anunike _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ TE _ _ _ Fr.*85 _ Ryan Hall _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ TE _ _ _ Fr.86 _ Josh Trezvant _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ WR _ _ _ So.87 _ Brett Huffman _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ TE _ _ _ Jr.88 _ Danny Parker _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ TE _ _ _ Jr.89 _ George Pearkes _ _ _ _ _ _ _ TE _ _ _ So.90 _ Patrick Egboh _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ DE _ _ _ Jr.91 _ Ayanga Okpokowuruk _ _ _ _ DE _ _ _ Sr.92 _ Justin Fox _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ DE _ _ _ Fr.93 _ Charlie Hatcher _ _ _ _ _ _ _ NG _ _ _ So.94 _ Jeffrey Ijjas _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ K _ _ _ _ So.96 _ Will Snyderwine _ _ _ _ _ _ _ K _ _ _ _ Jr.97 _ John Drew _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ DT _ _ _ Fr.98 _ Paul Asack _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ K _ _ _ _ Fr.*99 _ Wesley Oglesby _ _ _ _ _ _ _ DE _ _ _ Jr.

* denotes redshirt freshman

SPECIAL TEAMSPUNTER: Kevin JonesKICKER: Will SnyderwinePUNT RTN: Johnny WilliamsKICK RTN: Johnny Williams

SERIES INFO

SCHEDuLESEPT. 5 RichmondSEPT. 12 at ArmySEPT. 19 at KansasSEPT. 26 N.C. CentralOCT. 3 Virginia TechOCT. 10 at N.C. StateOCT. 24 MarylandOCT. 31 at VirginiaTODAy at North CarolinaNOV. 14 Georgia TechNOV. 21 at MiamiNOV. 28 Wake Forest

Today’s game will be the 96th meeting between North Caroli-na and Duke. The Tar Heels hold the lead in the series 56-35-4.

DuKE

SCOuTING REPORT

T. LEWISHEIGHT: 6’1”WEIGHT: 215

SENIORQUARTERBACK

Rivalry game holds rare postseason implications

LOWDOWN

BReAKDoWn | 7DTH SPoRTSATURDAY | 11/7/09

By marK thompsonSPORTSATURDAy ASSISTANT EDITOR

TV/Radio: TV coverage will be on ESPNU. Radio coverage will be pro-vided by WCHL 1360 AM and WRDU 106.1.

The Victory Bell is once again on the line as the Duke Blue Devils traveled fif-teen minutes to face off against North Carolina in Kenan Stadium.

With these two rivals squaring off, and both with 5-3 records, the game carries significant weight as both teams vie for bowl eligibility.

On top of the ACC Coastal stand-ings, Duke boasts the ACC’s best pass-ing attack, averaging 325 yards a game. Thaddeus Lewis, Duke’s star quarter-back, has thrown for 15 touchdowns and only four interceptions.

The senior signal-caller, along with his two favorite receivers, Donovan Varner and Connor Vernon, have torn apart opposing secondaries, especially zone defensive schemes.

In the past three games for Duke, all wins, Varner and Vernon have averaged a combined 226 yards and one touch-down per game. For North Carolina to stop Duke’s offense, its going to start with containing Lewis and his two favorite targets.

North Carolina’s offensive issues seem to have been fixed in the past few weeks. Shaun Draughn and the rush-ing attack is fully charged, and T.J. Yates and the offensive line have been able to drive the ball down the field through the air as well.

Duke’s defense statistically lies in the middle of the conference. Against it, North Carolina’s offense will once again try to run the ball in hopes that it will lead to great play-action opportunities.

North Carolina’s defense is best in the ACC with the league’s third-best pass defense and the best rush defense.

But Duke won’t be to concerned with running the ball.

It’s going to take UNC’s entire defensive unit to slow Duke down. The defensive line must put pressure on the quarterback. The linebackers must blitz when needed and cover when not. The secondary will have to close off the holes in the zone that both Christian Ponder and Tyrod Taylor found.

When UNC faced the former top passing offense in the ACC, Florida State, it took UNC cornerback Charles Brown’s stumble to start breaking down the secondary. UNC had handled FSU’s passing attack well until then, and it doesn’t plan on tripping up again.

20

8 G. Little34 J. White

72 K. Jolly67 G. Elleby

69 L. Dyer65 C. Holland

64 J. Cooper67 G. Elleby

13 T.J. Yates14 B. Hanson

45 D. Ramsey4 B. Rome

20 S. Draughn32 R. Houston

dwards20 C. Arnold

70 A. Pelc76 T. Bond

66 M. Ingersoll 73 B. Williams

87 Z. Pianalto80 E. Barham

88 E. Highsmith83 D. Jones

16 C. Rwabukamba20 L. Butler

39 A. Banks50 T. Glover

7 Leon Wright1 Z. Greene

31 V. Rey45 A. Gamble

23 C. Gainey38 J. Byas

56 D. Thornton50 T. Glover

40 M. Daniels4 W. Canty

3 V. Oghobaase42 K. Rucker

93 C. Hatcher97 J. Drew

91 A. Okpokowuruk41 E. Reks

99 W. Oglesby90 P. Egboh

WHen noRTH cARolinA HAS THe BAll

Kenan Stadium, 3:30 p.m.

preDictions for toDay’s game

COMPILED By MARK THOMPSON

Duke vs.North Carolina

(5-3) (5-3)

heaD to heaD

Duke offense vs. uNC D

uNC offense vs. Duke D

Special Teams

Intangibles

The Bottom Line — North Carolina 27, Duke 23

North Carolina’s offense has finally been moving the ball and convert-ing third downs to put points on the board. Duke has some good players on defense but lacks consistency, some-thing the UNC offense has been able to execute recently. Edge: uNC

North Carolina’s defenders tend to get exposed by good quarterbacks, and Thaddeus Lewis is a good quarterback. If North Carolina sends a three-man rush to drop eight in coverage, Lewis is going to have a field day. Edge: Duke

Duke’s kicker, Will Snyderwine, is 11-12 with a long of 47 yards this season. There may not be many punts in this game, although UNC has slightly better returners. The game may come down to making field goals, and Connor Barth isn’t making 91.7% of his. Edge: Duke

It’s a rivalry game, and a game Duke hasn’t won since 2003. Still, UNC will be just as eager to keep that streak going as Duke will be to end it. But UNC will have the support of its fans, the luxury of being home. Edge: uNC.

PUNTER: Grant SchallockKICKER: Casey BarthPUNT RTN: Da’Norris SearcyKICK RTN: Johnny White

No. Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Pos. _ _ YR. 1 _ _ Gene Robinson _ _ _ _ _ _ _ DB _ _ _ Fr.2 _ _ Bryn Renner _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ QB _ _ _ Fr. 3 _ _ Peter Magnum _ _ _ _ _ _ _ DB _ _ _ So.3 _ _ Joshua Adams _ _ _ _ _ _ _ WR _ _ _ Fr.4 _ _ Bobby Rome _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ FB _ _ _ _ Sr.5 _ _ Jamal Womble _ _ _ _ _ _ _ RB _ _ _ Fr.*6 _ _ Anthony Elzy _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ TB _ _ _ _ Jr.7 _ _ Mike Paulus _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ QB _ _ _ So.8 _ _ Greg Little _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ WR _ _ _ Jr.9 _ _ Marvin Austin _ _ _ _ _ _ _ DT _ _ _ _ Jr.10 _ Melvin Williams _ _ _ _ _ _ DB _ _ _ Sr.11 _ Joshua McKie _ _ _ _ _ _ _ WR _ _ _ Fr.11 _ Casey Barth _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ PK _ _ _ _ So.12 _ Charles Brown _ _ _ _ _ _ _ CB _ _ _ Jr.13 _ T.J. yates _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ QB _ _ _ Jr.14 _ Braden Hanson _ _ _ _ _ _ _ QB _ _ _ Fr.*15 _ A.J. Blue _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ATL _ _ _ Fr.16 _ Kendric Burney _ _ _ _ _ _ _ CB _ _ _ Jr.17 _ Zack Pianalto _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ TE _ _ _ _ Jr.19 _ Josh Hunter _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ DB _ _ _ Fr.20 _ Shaun Draughn _ _ _ _ _ _ _ RB _ _ _ Jr.21 _ Da’Norris Searcy _ _ _ _ _ _ S _ _ _ _ Jr.23 _ Jordan Hemby _ _ _ _ _ _ _ CB _ _ _ Sr.23 _ Steven Hatley _ _ _ _ _ _ _ RB _ _ _ So.24 _ Terry Shankle _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ DB _ _ _ Fr.26 _ Mywan Jackson _ _ _ _ _ _ DB _ _ _ Fr.27 _ Deunta Williams _ _ _ _ _ _ S _ _ _ _ Jr.28 _ Jonathan Smith _ _ _ _ _ _ _ S _ _ _ _ Jr.29 _ Brian Gupton _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ CB _ _ _ So.30 _ Carter Brown _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ RB _ _ _ Jr.30 _ C.J. Feagles _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ P _ _ _ _ Fr.32 _ Tyler Caldwell _ _ _ _ _ _ _ S _ _ _ _ Sr.32 _ Ryan Houston _ _ _ _ _ _ _ TB _ _ _ _ Jr.33 _ Christian Wilson _ _ _ _ _ _ HB _ _ _ So.33 _ Hayden Hunter _ _ _ _ _ _ _ LB _ _ _ _ Jr.34 _ Johnny White _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ WR _ _ _ Jr.35 _ Herman Davidson _ _ _ _ _ DB _ _ _ So.36 _ Kennedy Tinsley _ _ _ _ _ _ LB _ _ _ _ Sr.37 _ LaCount Fantroy _ _ _ _ _ _ CB _ _ _ So.39 _ Grant Schallock _ _ _ _ _ _ P _ _ _ _ Jr.40 _ Hunter Furr _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ RB _ _ _ Fr.42 _ Robert Quinn _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ DL _ _ _ _ So.43 _ Curtis Byrd _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ FB _ _ _ _ Jr.43 _ Curtis Campbell _ _ _ _ _ _ DB _ _ _ Fr.44 _ Trase Jones _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ PK/KR _ _ Jr.45 _ Devon Ramsay _ _ _ _ _ _ _ RB _ _ _ So.45 _ Josh Bridges _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ LB _ _ _ _ So.47 _ Zach Brown _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ LB _ _ _ _ So.48 _ Kevin Reddick _ _ _ _ _ _ _ LB _ _ _ _ Fr.49 _ Ryan Taylor _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ LB _ _ _ _ Sr.51 _ Trevor Stuart _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ DS _ _ _ _ Jr.51 _ Brandon Roberts _ _ _ _ _ _ LB _ _ _ _ So.52 _ Quan Sturdivant _ _ _ _ _ _ LB _ _ _ _ Jr.53 _ Hawatha Bell _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ LB _ _ _ _ Fr.54 _ Bruce Carter _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ LB _ _ _ _ Jr.55 _ Linwan Euwell _ _ _ _ _ _ _ LB _ _ _ _ So.55 _ Trey Strickland _ _ _ _ _ _ _ OL _ _ _ _ So.56 _ Peyton Jenest _ _ _ _ _ _ _ C _ _ _ _ So.56 _ Alex Crisp _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ LB _ _ _ _ Sr.57 _ Dion Guy _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ LB _ _ _ _ Fr.*58 _ Ebele Okakpu _ _ _ _ _ _ _ LB _ _ _ _ So.61 _ Mark House _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ DS _ _ _ _ Jr.62 _ David Collins _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ OL _ _ _ _ Fr.63 _ Scott Mincey _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ C _ _ _ _ So.64 _ Jonathan Cooper _ _ _ _ _ _ OL _ _ _ _ Fr.*65 _ Cam Holland _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ C _ _ _ _ So.66 _ Mike Ingersoll _ _ _ _ _ _ _ OT _ _ _ _ Jr.67 _ Greg Elleby _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ OL _ _ _ _ Jr.68 _ Mike Dykes _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ OG _ _ _ Fr.*69 _ Lowell Dyer _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ C _ _ _ _ Sr.70 _ Alan Pelc _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ OG _ _ _ Jr.72 _ Kyle Jolly _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ OT _ _ _ _ Sr.75 _ Jared McAdoo _ _ _ _ _ _ _ DL _ _ _ _ Fr.76 _ Travis Bond _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ OL _ _ _ _ Fr.78 _ Jordan Nix _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ DL _ _ _ _ So.79 _ Brennan Williams _ _ _ _ _ _ OL _ _ _ _ Fr.80 _ Ed Barham _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ TE _ _ _ _ So.81 _ Quentin Plair _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ WR _ _ _ Jr.82 _ Todd Harrelson _ _ _ _ _ _ _ WR _ _ _ Fr.*83 _ Dwight Jones _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ WR _ _ _ So.84 _ Vince Jacobs _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ TE _ _ _ _ Jr.85 _ Rashad Mason _ _ _ _ _ _ _ WR _ _ _ So.86 _ Randy White _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ TE _ _ _ _ Fr.*87 _ Jheranie Boyd _ _ _ _ _ _ _ WR _ _ _ Fr.88 _ Erik Highsmith _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ATL _ _ _ Fr.90 _ Quinton Coples _ _ _ _ _ _ _ DE _ _ _ So.91 _ Tydreke Powell _ _ _ _ _ _ _ DT _ _ _ _ So.92 _ E.J. Wilson _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ DE _ _ _ Sr.93 _ Cam Thomas _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ DT _ _ _ _ Sr.94 _ Michael McAdoo _ _ _ _ _ _ DL _ _ _ _ So.95 _ Nelson Hurst _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ TE _ _ _ _ So.96 _ Tavares Brown _ _ _ _ _ _ _ DT _ _ _ _ Sr. 97 _ Aleric Mullins _ _ _ _ _ _ _ DT _ _ _ _ Sr.98 _ Donte Paige-Moss _ _ _ _ _ DL _ _ _ _ Fr.

* denotes redshirt freshman

SEPT. 5 vs. The Citadel SEPT. 12 at ConnecticutSEPT. 19 vs. East CarolinaSEPT. 26 at Georgia TechOCT. 3 vs. VirginiaOCT. 10 vs. Ga. SouthernOCT. 22 vs. Florida StateOCT. 29 at Virginia TechTODAy vs. DukeNOV. 14 vs. MiamiNOV. 21 at Boston CollegeNOV. 28 at NC State

SPECIAL TEAMS

NORTH CAROLINA SCHEDuLE

KEEP IN MINDThe last time Duke beat North Carolina was Nov. 22, 2003. In the last four games, UNC has won by a combined 18 points.

8 | gAmeDAY PRevieW 11/7/09 | DTH SPoRTSATURDAY

vs.

■ Kickoff time: 3:30 p.m.■ This could be the game of the week. Alabama will need Heisman candidate Mark Ingram’s legs at full strength to help move the ball against LSU’s tough defense and keep its undefeated season hopes alive.

#9 lsu

national previews:

#3 alaBama

vs.

■ Kickoff time: 3:30 p.m.■ If Terrell Pryor is looking for a statement game, this is it. With Iowa still undefeated, both teams need this win to stay in the hunt for the Big Ten title. This game will most likely come down to winning the turnover battle.

#16 ohio state #9 penn state

vs.

■ Kickoff time: 3:30 p.m.■ USC won’t be back in the National Championship game, and anyone who thinks the Trojans have an easy win has a short memory. It wasn’t long ago that Washington beat USC. The Sun Devils could do it again...maybe.

#12 usc arizona st.

vs.

■ Kickoff time: 3:30 p.m.■ Florida State, fresh off their 45-42 win against N.C. State last week will take all its momentum into Death Valley. If Clemson can slow down Christian Ponder, it could be close, especially with a playmaker like C.J. Spiller with them.

floriDa st. clemson


Tim Crothers co-authored “Hard Work: A Life On and Off the Court,” the autobiography of North Carolina men’s basketball coach Roy Williams.

Assistant SportSaturday Editor Anna Kim sat down with Crothers to discuss some of the book’s con-tent and Williams’ feelings on it.

Anna Kim: So how did this book come about?

Tim Crothers: For many years I have thought that Coach Williams should do a book. I was aware of how good a backstory he had, how interesting his child-hood was … So we spent a total of 64 hours together this summer doing interviews, collaborating, piecing it together.

AK: You mentioned he had res-ervations about writing this book when you first approached him about it. Did he still have reserva-tions?

TC: He still has reservations to this day. I think he’s anxious to see what the reaction is going to be. I’m anxious to see what the reac-

tion is going to be. Any one of us could understand how nervous he might be about sharing the inti-mate details of your life with the world for the first time.

AK: Were you surprised by the intimate details he shared for the book?

TC: One thing that I’ve learned is he doesn’t do anything halfway. The big issue for him, was that he knew if he did it, he wanted a fullblown no-secrets kind of book. And he told me right up front, if we are going to do this, we are going to do it. I’m going to tell everything I can tell.

AK: Coach Williams goes in depth about his tumultuous rela-tionship with his father. Was that difficult for him to share?

TC: I think the key for him was he wanted to tell the full story of his father for the first time. There have been a few stories along the way that have told about the fact that his father was an alcoholic. The fact that there was some abuse in his family. His father comes off in a really nega-

tive way. What he wanted to do in this book was to make his father a real person for the first time.

AK: What’s something you were surprised to learn about Coach?

TC: I think one of the things I found so interesting is one of the things he did learn from his father. Toward the end his father and he had a discussion, and his father said, “I could have taught you so many more things.” And he said, “Well Dad, you did teach me a lot of things. I watched you and what-ever you did, I did the opposite.” That extends to the fact that Roy Williams does not drink. So when-ever everyone else is celebrating this national championship with champagne, he’s celebrating with a Coke or Sprite Zero.

AK: You covered sports here as a student, and now you teach here. Could you ever have imagined you might be back here years later helping to write a book about the UNC basketball coach?

TC: Absolutely not. It’s really inter-esting that when he started, he was

here as an assistant coach. I distinctly remember interviewing him at a high school gym in Raleigh about a recruit in the mid-80s. At that time we were both very young and at the beginning of our careers. I remember just being struck at the time by how

nice and accommodating he was to a young reporter that he could have easily told to buzz off. I never forgot that. So yes, to have us then meet up again more than 20 years later and for me to help him write his autobi-ography is absolutely surreal.

OuT OF BOuNDS

Co-author discusses Williams’ autobiography

Linebacker shuffles build depth“When we want substitution defenses, we have specific roles where we want certain body types and athletic types.”art Kaufman, UNC LINEBACKERS COACH


Many words could be used to describe North Carolina’s lineback-ers. But Kennedy Tinsley’s choice word came as a surprise.

“Monday and Tuesday, we look ugly,” he said.

Early in the week, the lineback-ers look far from the polished prod-uct exhibited on game day.

That’s because linebackers coach Art Kaufman has been implement-ing multiple shifts within the unit.

“We are trying rotate guys around,” coach Butch Davis said. “It keeps guys fresh and gets other guys some playing experience.”

The first shift came against Florida State, when middle line-backer Quan Sturdivant returned to his old position at weak side.

Since then, freshman Kevin Reddick has recorded his first two starts at middle linebacker, where he has recorded 10 tackles and split time with Tinsley.

But none expects to stay too comfortable.

“We try to have guys play mul-tiple positions,” Kaufman said. “Any time you can bring more tal-ent to the table, you give yourselves chances to make more plays.”

Sturdivant knew the temporary shift would not prove problematic

though it would pose differences. The junior garnered a wealth of experience and a nation-leading 87 unassisted tackles at outside linebacker in 2008.

“Inside, you want to stop the run between the tackles,” he said. “Outside, you need the speed to catch the ball and guard the end.”

As a result, outside linebackers have the responsibility of covering more ground, while middle line-backers watch the field and see the play develop.

“We can put a lot of backs on special teams,” he said. “We can put them everywhere, and every-one knows how to play.”

UNC is also no stranger to inju-ries.

Now if a linebacker gets hurt, Kaufman knows his backup will be no stranger to the position, either.

“What we want to know is, if the next guy goes in, what’s he going to be able to do?” he said. “I know he’ll be able to play.”

But the shifts have not simply

provided insurance. They have allowed for strategic grouping.

“When we want substitution defenses, we have specific roles where we want certain body types and athletic types,” Kaufman said.

Against Virginia Tech, Kaufman anticipated a physical team. So he called upon Tinsley, who provides more power than speed.

“The big thing we try to do is get guys in the game in situations that fit them,” he said.

Sturdivant said that the unit’s versatility has provided more depth and better plays on the field.

“Last year we played so many snaps we never got a break,” he said. “Now we get breathers so it helps us stay fresh throughout every game.”

Tinsley said the linebackers feel prepared for any mix of players called upon to take the field.

The epiphany came with a word more often associated with the unit.

“Now I know,” he said. “By Saturday, we look good.”

10 | STATiSTicS 11/7/09 | DTH SPoRTSATURDAY

NORTH CAROLINA 2009

scoRiNgPLaYeR . . . . . td . . . 2 Pts . . xPm-xPa . fgm-fga . Pts

casey Barth . . . . 0. . . . . 0 . . . . . 21-22 . . . 9-12 . . . . 48Ryan Houston . . . 7. . . . . 0 . . . . . 0-0 . . . . 0-0 . . . . . 42greg little. . . . . 3. . . . . 0 . . . . . 0-0 . . . . 0-0 . . . . . 18Jheranie Boyd . . . 2. . . . . 0 . . . . . 0-0 . . . . 0-0 . . . . . 12erik Highsmith. . . 2. . . . . 0 . . . . . 0-0 . . . . 0-0 . . . . . 12

scoRiNgPLaYeR . . . . . td . . . 2 Pts . . xPm-xPa . fgm-fga . Pts

W. Snyderwine . . 0. . . . . 0 . . . . . 18-18 . . . . 11-12. . . . 51Donovan varner . . 5. . . . . 0 . . . . . 0-0 . . . . . 0-0 . . . . . 30Brett Huffman . . . 3. . . . . 0 . . . . . 0-0 . . . . . 0-0 . . . . . 18Austin Kelly . . . . 3. . . . . 0 . . . . . 0-0 . . . . . 0-0 . . . . . 18

kickoff RetuRNsPLaYeR . . . . . No . . . Yds . . . avg . . . td . . . . LNg

Johnny Williams . . 13 . . . . . 240 . . . . 18.5 . . . 0. . . . . . 31conner vernon . . 11 . . . . . 259 . . . . 23.5 . . . 0. . . . . . 55

ReceiviNgPLaYeR . . . . . No . . . Yds . . . avg . . . td . . . . LNg

Donovan varner . . 42 . . . . . 660 . . . . 15.7 . . . 5 . . . . . . 74Austin Kelly . . . . 41 . . . . . 456 . . . . 11.1 . . . 3 . . . . . . 31conner vernon . . 38 . . . . . 562 . . . . 14.8 . . . 3 . . . . . . 0Johnny Williams . . 28 . . . . . 359 . . . . 12.8 . . . 1 . . . . . . 74

RushiNgPLaYeR . . . . . No . . . Yds . . . avg . . . td . . . . LNg

Desmond Scott . . 39 . . . . . 174 . . . . 4.5 . . . . 1 . . . . . . 23Patrick Kurunwune 28 . . . . . 131 . . . . 4.7 . . . . 1 . . . . . . 26Jay Hollingsworth . 35 . . . . . 118 . . . . 3.4 . . . . 0 . . . . . . 10Re’Quan Boyette . 56 . . . . . 107 . . . . 1.9 . . . . 0 . . . . . . 17

DuKE 2009PassiNgPLaYeR . . . . . comP . att . Pct . .Yds . td . . iNt . LNg

Thaddeus lewis . . 188 . . 296 . .63.5 . . 2315 . 15 . . 4 . . . 74

defeNsePLaYeR . . . . . tkL . . . . . ast . . . . . tot . . . . . sck

Quan Sturdivant . . 33 . . . . . . . 22 . . . . . . .55 . . . . . . . 1.0 charles Brown . . 36 . . . . . . . 7 . . . . . . . .43 . . . . . . . 0.0Bruce carter. . . . 28 . . . . . . . 12 . . . . . . .40 . . . . . . . 1.0Kendric Burney . . 26 . . . . . . . 12 . . . . . . .38 . . . . . . . 1.0Zach Brown . . . . 22 . . . . . . . 13 . . . . . . .35 . . . . . . . 3.5

PuNtiNgPLaYeR . . . . . No . . . Yds . . . avg . . . bLk . . . LNg

grant Schallock . . 42 . . . . . 1757 . . . 41.8 . . . 0 . . . . . . 55

fieLd goaLsPLaYeR . . . . . 0-29. . . 30-39. . . 40-49 . . tot . . . LNg

casey Barth . . . . 6-6. . . . . 2-4 . . . . 1-2 . . . . 9-12 . . . . 40Trase Jones . . . . 0-0. . . . . 0-0 . . . . 0-0 . . . . 0-0 . . . . . 0

kickoff RetuRNsPLaYeR . . . . . No . . . Yds . . . avg . . . td . . . . LNg

Johnny White . . . 12 . . . . . 245 . . . . 20.4 . . . 0 . . . . . . 31greg little. . . . . 7. . . . . . 132 . . . . 18.9 . . . 0 . . . . . . 23

PuNt RetuRNsPLaYeR . . . . . No . . . Yds . . . avg . . . td . . . . LNg

Da’norris Searcy. . 19 . . . . . 266 . . . . 14.0 . . . 1 . . . . . . 77Kendric Burney . . 3. . . . . . 34 . . . . . 11.3 . . . 0 . . . . . . 21

ReceiviNgPLaYeR . . . . . No . . . Yds . . . avg . . . td . . . . LNg

greg little. . . . . 37 . . . . . 348 . . . . 9.4 . . . . 2 . . . . . . 34erik Highsmith. . . 22 . . . . . 304 . . . . 13.8 . . . 2 . . . . . . 43Shaun Draughn . . 21 . . . . . 125 . . . . 6.0 . . . . 0 . . . . . . 24Zach Pianalto . . . 14 . . . . . 146 . . . . 10.4 . . . 1 . . . . . . 26Jheranie Boyd . . . 8. . . . . . 103 . . . . 12.9 . . . 2 . . . . . . 59

RushiNgPLaYeR . . . . . No . . . Yds . . . avg . . . td . . . . LNg

Shaun Draughn . . 74 . . . . . 558 . . . . 4.5 . . . . 1 . . . . . . 44Ryan Houston . . . 34 . . . . . 287 . . . . 4.0 . . . . 7 . . . . . . 20 greg little. . . . . 6. . . . . . 92 . . . . . 6.1 . . . . 1 . . . . . . 27Jheranie Boyd . . . 6. . . . . . 91 . . . . . 9.1 . . . . 0 . . . . . . 21

PassiNgPLaYeR . . . . . comP . att . Pct . .Yds . td . . iNt . LNg

T.J. Yates. . . . . . 126 . . 211 . .59.7 . . 1159 . 9 . . . 9 . . . 59B. Hanson . . . . . 2. . . . 6. . . .33.3 . . 7 . . . 0 . . . 2 . . . 4

2009 ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE INDIvIDuAL STATISTICS

schooL . . . . . cP/at. . .Yds . . . Pct. . . . td. . . YPg

Duke . . . . . . . . 217/340 . . 2601 . . . . 63.8. . . . . 19 . . . . .325.1florida State. . . . . 207/299 . . 2457 . . . . 69.2. . . . . 13 . . . . .307.1nc State . . . . . . 171/288 . . 2189 . . . . 59.4. . . . . 21 . . . . .273.6miami . . . . . . . . 147/236 . . 2142 . . . . 62.3. . . . . 16 . . . . .267.8Wake forest . . . . . 194/299 . . 2397 . . . . 64.9. . . . . 18 . . . . .266.3maryland . . . . . . 157/267 . . 1833 . . . . 58.8. . . . . 10 . . . . .229.1clemson. . . . . . . 130/242 . . 1568 . . . . 53.7. . . . . 12 . . . . .196.0Boston college . . . 125/239 . . 1738 . . . . 52.3. . . . . 17 . . . . .193.1virginia . . . . . . . 132/252 . . 1435 . . . . 52.4. . . . . 6 . . . . .179.4virginia Tech . . . . 80/146 . . . 1395 . . . . 54.8. . . . . 10 . . . . .174.4North Carolina . . 131/222 . .1255 . . . 59.0 . . . 9 . . . . 156.9georgia Tech . . . . 50/103 . . . 1227 . . . . 48.5. . . . . 7 . . . . .136.3

PLaYeR, schooL . . . g . . . No . . . Yds . . . td . . avg

1. J. Tarrant, gT . . . . . . 9 . . . . 12 . . . 196 . . . . 2 . . . . 16.32. Da’Norris Searcy, NC 8 . . . 19 . . . 266. . . . 1 . . . .14.03. greg Reid, fS . . . . . . 8 . . . . 14 . . . 152 . . . . 0 . . . . 10.9

PLaYeR, schooL . . . g . . . No . . . Yds . . . td . . . avg

1. Dyrell Roberts, vT . . . . 8 . . . . 10. . . . 408 . . . 1 . . . . . 40.82. c.J. Spiller, cU . . . . . 8 . . . . 12. . . . 459 . . . 3 . . . . . 38.23. graig cooper, Um . . . 7 . . . . 15 . . . 427 . . . 0 . . . . . 28.5

fieLd goaLsPLaYeR, schooL . . g . . fgm . fga . . LoNg . Pct . Pg

1. Richard Jackson, cU . 8 . . . 17 . . 23 . . . 49 . . . . 73.9. . 2.122. Robert Randolph, vA . 8 . . . 13 . . 14 . . . 47 . . . . 92.9. . 1.62 2. nick ferrara, mD . . . 8 . . . 13 . . 17 . . . 40 . . . . 76.5. . 1.624. W. Snyderwine, DU . . 8 . . . 11 . . 12 . . . 51 . . . . 91.7. . 1.38

schooL . . . . . cP/at. . .Yds . . . Pct. . . . td. . . YPg

clemson. . . . . . . 100/202 . . 1170 . . . . 49.5. . . . . 9 . . . . 158.0virginia Tech . . . . 103/222 . . 1301 . . . . 46.4. . . . . 7 . . . . 200.2North Carolina . . 139/229 . .1307 . . . 60.7 . . . 4 . . . 135.2virginia . . . . . . . 139/251 . . 1402 . . . . 55.4. . . . . 4 . . . . 156.5Duke . . . . . . . . 121/221 . . 1537 . . . . 54.8. . . . . 9 . . . . 210.4Boston college . . . 186/304 . . 1947 . . . . 61.2. . . . . 9 . . . . 193.0Wake forest . . . . . 162/285 . . 1967 . . . . 56.8. . . . . 17 . . . 228.6miami . . . . . . . . 135/241 . . 1767 . . . . 56.0. . . . . 11 . . . 178.2 georgia Tech . . . . 157/257 . . 2004 . . . . 61.1. . . . . 17 . . . 227.8nc State . . . . . . 158/247 . . 1785 . . . . 64.0. . . . . 14 . . . 172.4maryland . . . . . . 149/247 . . 1902 . . . . 60.3. . . . . 14 . . . 206.6florida State. . . . . 114/204 . . 1967 . . . . 55.9. . . . . 17 . . . 276.8

PassiNg defeNsePassiNg offeNse

RushiNg defeNseRushiNg offeNseschooL . . . . . att . . .Yds . . . avg . . . td. . . YPg

georgia Tech . . . . 521 . . . . 2737 . . . . 5.3 . . . . . 32 . . . . .304.1virginia Tech . . . . 330 . . . . 1521 . . . . 4.6 . . . . . 17 . . . . .190.1clemson. . . . . . . 299 . . . . 1207 . . . . 4.0 . . . . . 10 . . . . .150.9Boston college . . . 320 . . . . 1307 . . . . 4.1 . . . . . 15 . . . . .145.2nc State . . . . . . 249 . . . . 1092 . . . . 4.4 . . . . . 16 . . . . .136.5florida State. . . . . 270 . . . . 1084 . . . . 4.0 . . . . . 13 . . . . .135.5North Carolina . . 293 . . . .1083 . . . 3.7 . . . . 10 . . . . 135.4Wake forest . . . . . 341 . . . . 1200 . . . . 3.5 . . . . . 9 . . . . .133.3miami . . . . . . . . 275 . . . . 961 . . . . . 3.5 . . . . . 12 . . . . .120.1virginia . . . . . . . 281 . . . . 785 . . . . . 2.8 . . . . . 12 . . . . . 98.1maryland . . . . . . 278 . . . . 772 . . . . . 2.8 . . . . . 8 . . . . . 96.5Duke . . . . . . . . 255 . . . . 602 . . . . . 2.4 . . . . . 5 . . . . . 75.2

2009 ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE TEAM STATISTICS

schooL . . . . . PLY. . . .Yds . . . avg . . . td. . . YPg

florida State. . . . . 548 . . . . 3549 . . . . 6.5 . . . . . 29 . . . .443.6 georgia Tech . . . . 624 . . . . 3964 . . . . 6.4 . . . . . 39 . . . .440.4 n.c. State . . . . . . 558 . . . . 3273 . . . . 5.9 . . . . . 34 . . . .409.1 Duke . . . . . . . . 595 . . . . 3203 . . . . 5.4 . . . . . 24 . . . .400.4Wake forest . . . . . 640 . . . . 3597 . . . . 5.6 . . . . . 27 . . . .399.7miami . . . . . . . . 511 . . . . 3103 . . . . 6.1 . . . . . 28 . . . .387.9virginia Tech . . . . 476 . . . . 2916 . . . . 6.1 . . . . . 27 . . . .364.5clemson. . . . . . . 541 . . . . 2775 . . . . 5.1 . . . . . 22 . . . .346.9Boston college . . . 559 . . . . 3045 . . . . 5.4 . . . . . 32 . . . .338.3 maryland . . . . . . 545 . . . . 2605 . . . . 4.8 . . . . . 18 . . . .325.6 North Carolina . . 515 . . . .2338 . . . 4.5 . . . . 19 . . . . 292.2virginia . . . . . . . 533 . . . . 2220 . . . . 4.2 . . . . . 18 . . . .277.5

totaL offeNse totaL defeNseschooL . . . . . PLY. . . .Yds . . . avg . . . td. . . YPg

North Carolina . . 517 . . . .2120 . . . 4.1 . . . . 13 . . . 265.0 clemson. . . . . . . 526 . . . . 2224 . . . . 4.2 . . . . . 12 . . . 278.0virginia Tech . . . . 534 . . . . 2534 . . . . 4.7 . . . . . 15 . . . 316.8Duke . . . . . . . . 498 . . . . 2598 . . . . 5.2 . . . . . 20 . . . 324.8virginia . . . . . . . 574 . . . . 2634 . . . . 4.6 . . . . . 14 . . . 329.2Boston college . . . 629 . . . . 2968 . . . . 4.7 . . . . . 16 . . . 329.8nc State . . . . . . 519 . . . . 2733 . . . . 5.3 . . . . . 30 . . . 341.6miami . . . . . . . . 533 . . . . 2799 . . . . 5.3 . . . . . 18 . . . 349.9georgia Tech . . . . 523 . . . . 3240 . . . . 6.2 . . . . . 25 . . . 360.0Wake forest . . . . . 594 . . . . 3242 . . . . 5.5 . . . . . 26 . . . 360.2maryland . . . . . . 545 . . . . 3033 . . . . 5.6 . . . . . 27 . . . 379.1florida State. . . . . 510 . . . . 3431 . . . . 6.7 . . . . . 32 . . . 428.9

PassiNgPLaYeR, schooL . comP . att . Pct . Yds . . td . iNt . YPg

1. christian Ponder, fS 206 . . 297. . 69.4 . 2453 . . 13 . 3 . . 3072. Thaddeus lewis, DU 188 . . 296. . 63.5 . 2315 . . 15 . 4 . . 2893. Jacory Harris, Um . . 144 . . 232. . 62.1 . 2104 . . 16 . 11. . 2634. Riley Skinner, Wf . . 185 . . 282. . 65.6 . 2298 . . 18 . 10. . 255

RushiNgPLaYeR, schooL . .g . . att . Yds . .avg . . td . . YPg

1. Ryan Williams, vT . . 8 . . . .163 . . 930 . . 5.7 . . . . 10 . . 1162. montel Harris, Bc . 9 . . . .183 . . 930 . . 5.1 . . . . 13 . . 103 3. J. Dwyer, gT . . . 9 . . . .146 . . 904 . . 6.2 . . . . 8. . . 1004. Josh newbitt, gT . . 9 . . . .188 . . 763 . . 4.1 . . . . 13 . . 85

ReceiviNgPLaYeR, schooL . .g . . Rec. . Yds . .avg . . td . . YPg

1. conner vernon, DU . 7 . . . .38 . . . 562 . . 14.8 . . . 3 . . . 5622. Donovan varner, DU 8 . . . .42 . . . 660 . . 15.7 . . . 5 . . . 6602. Bert Reed, fS . . . . 8 . . . .42 . . . 504 . . 12.0 . . . 0 . . . 5044. Austin Kelly, DU . . 8 . . . .41 . . . 456 . . 11.1 . . . 3 . . . 456

aLL-PuRPose YaRdagePLaYeR, schooL . g . .Rush Rec . PR . . kR . Yds . YPg

1. Torrey Smith, mD . . 8 . . . 63. . . 566. . 0 . . . . 909 . 1538 . 1922. c.J. Spiller, cU . . . 8 . . . 574 . . 267. . 182 . . 459 . 1482 . 1853. Ryan Williams, vT . . 8 . . . 930 . . 167. . 0 . . . . 0 . . 1097 . 1374. T.J. graham, ST . . . 7 . . . 0 . . . 129. . 156 . . 574 . 859 . 123

kickoff RetuRN avg

tackLesPLaYeR, schooL .g . Pos . soLo ast . .sack tot avg/g

1. Alex Wujciak, mD 8 . . lB . . . 36 . . 52 . . 1.0 . . 88 . . 11.02. luke Kuechly, Bc . 9 . . lB . . . 58 . . 36 . . 0.0 . . 94 . . 10.43. Barquell Rivers, vT 8 . . lB . . . 22 . . 49 . . 0.0 . . 71 . . 8.94. vincent Rey, DU . 8 . . lB . . . 31 . . 36 . . 1.0 . . 67 . . 8.4

quaRteRback sacksPLaYeR, schooL . . . . . . . . . g . . . . . . . . . . . No

1. Derrick morgan, gT. . . . . . . . . . 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.52. Robert Quinn, NC . . . . . . 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . .7.02. Allen Bailey, Um . . . . . . . . . 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.02. Willie Young, ST. . . . . . . . . . 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.0

iNteRcePtioNsPLaYeR, schooL . . . g . . . . . No . . . . Yds . . . td

1. DeAndre mcDaniel, cU 7 . . . . . . 6 . . . . . . 75 . . . . . 12. leon Wright, DU . . . . 8 . . . . . . 4 . . . . . . 116 . . . . 22. R. carmichael, vT . . . . 8 . . . . . . 4 . . . . . . 62 . . . . . 12. Rashard Hall, cU . . . . 8 . . . . . . 4 . . . . . . 56 . . . . . 0

PuNtiNgPLaYeR, schooL . . . g . . . No . . . Yds . . . LoNg . avg

1. Brent Bowden, vT . . . 8 . . . . 38. . . . 1674 . . . 59 . . . 44.12. matt Bosher, Um . . . . 8 . . . . 34. . . . 1438 . . . 59 . . . 42.33. grant Schallock, nc . . 8 . . . . 42. . . . 1757 . . . 55 . . . 41.84. Ryan Quigley, Bc . . . . 9 . . . . 55. . . . 2288 . . . 61 . . . 41.6

PuNt RetuRNs

totaL offeNsePLaYeR, schooL . . g . . .Rush . Pass . .tot . .td. YPg

1. christian Ponder, fS. . 8 . . . 166 . . . 2453 . . 2619 . . 13 . 3272. Thaddeus lewis, DU . 8 . . . 56. . . . 2315 . . 2371 . . 15 . 2963. Russell Wilson, ST. . . 8 . . . 283 . . . 2008 . . 2291 . . 16 . 2864. Riley Skinner, Wf . . . 9 . . . 42. . . . 2298 . . 2340 . . 18 . 260

schooL . . . . . att . . .Yds . . . Pc . . . . td. . . YPg

North Carolina . 288 . . . .813 . . . . 2.8 . . . . 9 . . . . 101.6Boston college . . . 325 . . . . 1019 . . . . 3.1 . . . . . 7 . . . . .113.2 nc State . . . . . . 272 . . . . 948 . . . . . 3.5 . . . . . 16 . . . . 118.5miami . . . . . . . 292 . . . . 1032 . . . . 3.5 . . . . . 7 . . . . 129.0clemson. . . . . . . 324 . . . . 1054 . . . . 3.3 . . . . . 3 . . . . .131.8Duke . . . . . . . . 277 . . . . 1061 . . . . 3.8 . . . . . 11 . . . . .132.6 georgia Tech . . . . 266 . . . . 1236 . . . . 4.6 . . . . . 8 . . . . .137.3maryland . . . . . . 298 . . . . 1131 . . . . 3.8 . . . . . 13 . . . . 141.4Wake forest . . . . 309 . . . . 1275 . . . . 4.1 . . . . . 9 . . . . 141.7virginia . . . . . . . 323 . . . . 1232 . . . . 3.8 . . . . . 10 . . . . 154.0virginia Tech . . . . 312 . . . . 1233 . . . . 4.0 . . . . . 8 . . . . 154.1florida State. . . . . 306 . . . . 1464 . . . . 4.8 . . . . . 15 . . . . .183.0


COACHES POLLteam RecoRd Pts Pvs1. Florida (50) 8-0 1463 12. Texas (4) 8-0 1395 33. Alabama (1) 8-0 1390 24. TCU 8-0 1182 65. Boise State 8-0 1176 56. Iowa 9-0 1161 87. Cincinnati 8-0 1150 78. Oregon 7-1 1079 129. LSU 7-1 1062 9 10. Penn State 8-1 966 1011. Georgia Tech 8-1 934 1112. Ohio State 7-2 730 1513. USC 6-2 729 414. Pittsburgh 7-1 694 1715. Houston 7-1 672 1616. Utah 7-1 567 1917. Miami (FL) 6-2 549 1818. Oklahoma State 6-2 371 1319. Arizona 5-2 320 2420. Oklahoma 5-3 313 2321. Notre Dame 6-2 281 2522. Wisconsin 6-2 204 NR23. California 6-2 197 NR24. Virginia Tech 5-3 193 1425. Brigham young 6-2 106 NRothers receiving votes: South florida 65, West virginia 51, Texas Tech 49, Auburn 46, clemson 18, South carolina 15, north carolina 8, idaho 8, central michigan 7, navy 5, others

AP TOP 25team RecoRd Pts Pvs1. Florida (38) 8-0 1448 12. Texas (13) 8-0 1408 33. Alabama (8) 8-0 1390 24. Cincinnati 8-0 1212 55. Boise State 8-0 1211 66. TCU 8-0 1147 87. Oregon 7-1 1130 108. Iowa 9-0 1127 79. LSU 7-1 1036 910. Georgia Tech 8-1 949 1111. Penn State 8-1 886 1212. USC 6-2 741 413. Houston 7-1 707 1514. Pittsburgh 7-1 690 1615. Ohio State 7-2 636 1716. Miami (FL) 6-2 602 1817. Utah 7-1 552 1918. Oklahoma State 6-2 361 1319. Notre Dame 6-2 352 2520. Oklahoma 5-3 348 22 21. Arizona 5-2 322 2322. Virginia Tech 5-3 185 1423. California 6-2 181 NR24. Wisconsin 6-2 172 NR25. Brigham young 6-2 130 NR others receiving votes: South florida 115, clemson 35, Auburn 30, Texas Tech 24, West virginia 15, Rutgers 11, Boston college 6, central michigan 4, oregon State 4, Tennessee 3, others

Secondary slated to meet conference’s top passers

DTH FILE/ANDREW DyE

FSU quarterback Christian Ponder shredded UNC’s secondary for 395 yards. In upcoming weeks, UNC will face several potent aerial attacks.

By DaviD reynolDsSPORTSATURDAy EDITOR

Statistically, UNC’s secondary ranks among the very best in the country at grounding an opposing offense’s passing attack.

But with a stable of talented quarterbacks — namely Thaddeus Lewis, Jacory Harris and Russell Wilson — lined up to test it, time will soon tell whether North Carolina’s pass defense is truly dominant or just a paper tiger.

And if history is any indication, those numbers might see a steep inflation in the near future.

UNC currently ranks No. 10 nationally in pass defense, but Kendric Burney, Deunta Williams and Co. didn’t perform up to their unit’s lofty ranking the first time they faced a top-tier passing game this season.

Christian Ponder and Florida State torched the Tar Heels for 395 yards and three touchdowns through the air — numbers that were huge outliers this season for UNC’s stingy secondary.

“It’s a shot to your pride a little bit,” Williams said.

“It’s simple mistakes. You can be aggressive if you’re doing the fun-damental things right. We were aggressive and our fundamentals were not right.”

But Ponder’s outburst wasn’t a complete aberration. Last sea-son, Notre Dame’s Jimmy Clausen threw for 383 yards and two touch-downs against North Carolina.

Burney said the problems UNC had against those quarterbacks were simple issues of miscommu-nication.

“We knew exactly what the play was going to be. We knew exactly where we needed to be. We just didn’t communicate to get to where we needed to be,” Burney said.

The ranking could be a result of circumstance. The rest of the teams on the Tar Heels’ schedule have not been nearly as potent as the Seminoles in passing the football.

While Florida State ranks ninth in the Football Bowl Subdivision in passing offense, the next-best passing game UNC has faced, Connecticut’s, sits at No. 39.

No other FBS opponent UNC has played has a passing offense ranked better than 80th of 120 total teams.

And if what Williams said about opposing offenses prove true, the tests facing UNC’s secondary in the upcoming weeks will be even more difficult.

“Offenses at the beginning of the season are at a disadvantage. It takes them a little bit of time to gel,” Williams said. “Defenses, we go out there and by day three we’re running and gunning.

“I think the offenses are starting to catch up a little bit more and roll a little bit more.”

Three of the four remaining teams on UNC’s schedule have passing games that statistically stack up in the top-25 nationally.

Duke, No. 5 on the list, repre-

sents the best aerial attack left on UNC’s schedule.

But coming off a strong perfor-mance, Burney is confident UNC’s secondary can retain its reputation as a shut-down unit.

“We came out great against a good football team in Virginia Tech at Virginia Tech, so we know exactly what this team is capable of doing,” Burney said. “We’ll be all right as long as we play the Carolina football way we’ve been coached.”

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