While most of you know that my coverage of football went down hill while I was sick I am here now to begin to collect the pieces on what is going on as the off-season sets in and the coaching staff, team and fan base begin the long journey into the 2011 campaign. From the Tar Heel Times web site (a daily stop for me while surfing the net) comes word that both corner back Kendric Burney and running back Johnny White have signed with an agency awaiting the NFL Draft, while Junior defensive tackle Quinton Coples has said that he will be coming back to Chapel Hill for his senior year. Reading a small article on WCHL about the two seniors it seems that Burney, who missed six games this season, is still considered by many analysts to be a top 100 selection.

As I do with all the Heels I wish the two seniors all the best as they begin their newest chapter in their lives. I also wish all the best to Coples as he comes back one more year to play with what should be a once again good defense for head coach Butch Davis.

But that is not all the news regarding the foorball team in the past couple of days. From WRAL there is an article on five Tar Heels that have enrolled early at Carolina. They are quarterback Marquise Williams, wide receiver T.J. Thorpe, offensive lineman Landon Turner, running back Travis Riley, and defensive tackle Sylvester Williams.

From what I have read Marquise Williams is one of the best dual threats QBs in the nation, accumulating 3,034 passing yards and 45 touchdown throws in his last year of high school. I have to say that those numbers, while they might never roll over in college, are pretty impressive. While the other Williams, Sylvester, is a JUCO transfer who played just one year of high school ball but received honorable-mention All-America honors this past year. The other three players all make the cut when it comes to the recruiting sites, with Thorpe as the 14th best ATH in the nation, Turner the 13th best OT and Riley the 37th best back (according to Rivals). Scout says that Thorpe is the 52nd WR, Turner is ranked seventh but as an OG and Riley is the 98th best RB.

Finally, last but not least, here is one piece of news for all the gridiron affecionados, coach Davis has hired Brian Baker as its defensive line coach. Baker, who has coached in the NFL for about a decade and a half, was last with the Carolina Panthers, and comes with raving reviews from an former Tar Heel, Julius Peppers, who played under coach Baker for several years.

The head coach had this to say about the hiring…

“Brian is regarded as one of the top defensive line coaches in the NFL and his experience was appealing because of his background as a college coach in the ACC,” said Davis. “He is an excellent communicator and his knowledge of our recruiting areas was critical.

While the former Heel and present Chicago Bear DL said this regarding the coach…

“I had the pleasure of working with Coach Baker while I was with the Carolina Panthers,” said Peppers, who now plays for the Chicago Bears. “I learned a lot from him and I believe I improved as a player as a result of being coached by him. I want to personally welcome Coach Baker to Carolina Football. I know the players will benefit from his influence and guidance both on and off the football field.”

And while I am no guru of the coaching carousel I do like the hiring, mostly because the UNC program seems to be getting good players for the D Line, having someone that knows what is needed to make it to the next level can only entice more top notch level to come to Chapel Hill and play. This hiring plugs a hole and closes an era from which most people associated with Carolina want to forget but probably never will. Slowly but surely it is time to move on, and that we will, with new players coming in (UNC is ranked in the Top 25 for this year’s recruiting class), new coaches entering and the same good attitude of the fan base.

nCAA Football

You know the old proverb “do not wake the sleeping giant”? I guess it should be now changed to “do not ask anything for the NCAA if you are North Carolina football”. Both Duenta Williams and Kendric Burney had their appeal denied, meaning that the will miss three (Williams) and one (Burney) before being able to come back on the field for head coach Butch Davis. Fair or unfair? The right path or making an example? So many things could be said but the reality of it all is that these two young men did something wrong and now must pay for it, and as fans we might not like it, and it might be a bit much, but that is the way the cookie crumbles in this story saga that has been going on for well over three months in Chapel Hill. This is what Dick Baddour said about the NCAA’s verdict on the matter…

“I am disappointed for Deunta and Kendric, but I respect the NCAA’s decision,” Baddour said in a statement today. “I appreciate the committee allowing us the opportunity to present their case”

Here is a video from News 11 ABC about the two players as well as the ongoing story that former ex coach John Blake took money while coaching at UNC.

The more I think about all of this, read about it (be it main stream media, bloggers, web boards or wherever else that may be) the more I am convinced that the NCAA decided it was time for them to make a stand on this agent issue and they wanted to make it big enough that and and all programs would be watching what the consequences are for what happened in Chapel Hill. Is it fair? Probably not, but the sad reality of all of this is that nothing would have ever happened if these players hadn’t taken the loans or had someone else write a paper for them.

The Investigation...

All of this just makes me say the following: “unless the NCAA or UNC say it all are just rumors, no matter what those sources (so close to the situation) tell you”. Both of these players were tabbed as first team All-ACC on defense and both had made The Sporting News All-American squads (Burney as a second team member and Williams in the third squad). Now, with all these games to miss both players will not just lose so much on the field but probably also on the “big boards” of National Football League teams. And while this mess is no one else’s but the players, something else might be all on the NCAA.

How is the NCAA going to tell the programs underneath them that they must graduate players or they could lose scholarships and then give such harsh punishments? Yes, what these two young men did is wrong and we all know that. But let’s also stop and think about this: a player from now on that might think that someone on their team went here or there and that could lead to an investigation where a lot of people might be involved, should he stay or should he bolt to the next level? I think I know what I would do or tell my son (or who would ask me) what to do. We have already seen that one player, Johnny White, in this investigation was guilty by association and nothing more. Too many times we decide to make examples and judge to conclusion too quickly while not thinking that what we decide today will effect things for years to come.

In the end this is something that could have all been avoided, but it was not, it is up to now for all parties (players, UNC and the NCAA) to get it closed up in a timely fashion and find a way to make sure that the possibilities of happening again are slim.

All-ACC Squad

The Atlantic Coast Conference released their pre-season All-ACC squad, and as most would have thought there is plenty of Carolina players, when it comes to the defensive side of the ball. The top vote getter, getting 47 out of 52 votes, was junior defensive end Robert Quinn. Along with him other four UNC players made the first team, and they are: senior safety Deunta Williams (41), senior defensive tackle Marvin Austin (32 votes), senior line backer Quan Sturdivant (32) and senior Kendric Burney (27). If you have not watched this defensive unit yet you need to do so this season because all five of these players (who decided to come back to Chapel Hill last year) will be playing their last go around with head coach Butch Davis. Sturdivant, Burney and Williams were all selected last year.

I guess I should be happy seeing this list, especially seeing Austin on it, but instead I am confused a bit. First off, did the defensive tackle get this number of votes on what he did last year or is it because some in the media know more than we do and know that the senior will be playing plenty this season? As I said before Quinn got the most votes of anyone, which is great, but on the other side I am baffled that he wasn’t a unanimous selection. And lastly, the biggest question of them all, are these five players (which is the most from any team) going to live up to the hype that the media has handed them?

Carolina has one All-ACC player at every position (and two on the line) on this pre-season ranking. This means that running the ball should be a problem (if Austin is eligible that is), throwing the ball is not going to be easy either, with both a corner and a safety being top in the conference. Having said all of this the key is always going to be if the offense can be a positive and not a negative for coach Davis and the rest of the coaching staff. As I keep looking at the list I am pretty amazed how UNC has the most players of any of the twelve schools, without having any on offense! Which makes me think: are we that good on D or that bad on offense? Hopefully the answer is yes to the first part and no to the second!

A lot of people have been saying that this year’s recruiting hasn’t been as good as in the past when it comes to the Carolina football team. However, for head coach Butch Davis, the coaching staff, the team and the fan base there is good news when it comes to next year. As Scout’s Inside Carolina entitles a small post about it: “Juniors All Coming Back“. And that means that in the 2010 gridiron season opponents will have to face a defense that will return nine starters! As good as this D was this year it has a real good chance to be even better a year from now.

To show how the internet has taken over most everything in this life, some of the Heels gave the news of their return to Chapel Hill through twitte! From one of my favorite UNC site, Tar Heel Times here is the tweet from Cedric Burney:

“I’m coming back to school. [It's] going to be a fun year in Chapel Hill. Let’s do it big, “

As well as what Marvin Austin tweeted:

“I will be a tar heel for 2010! In some things it ain’t all about the money. I love carolina!”

ESPN also has a small post about the five players returning for the `10 season. There is a quote from defensive back Deunta Williams that I thought was very interesting:

“We all agreed that next year can be the year,” said Williams, adding that the official announcements would come in a Monday teleconference. “We believe we can be special, not only as a defense, but as a team.”

You are talking about five players that were All-ACC (either first or second team), with most of them probably being a first day pick in the upcoming National Football League draft, they say no to the money because they believe the team (not just the D) can be “special” next year. To me this has a lot more significance than having an analyst/expert saying that North Carolina can be good next season. These guys are giving up money to come back because they believe in something, which has to be (in my opinion) a chance of going to the ACC title game and to a BCS bowl.

This can only be good for the Heels, as these five players are going to pave the way for the rest of the team to follow to work their hardest each and everyday/practice/workout in order to achieve the goals they are setting for the program. If the offense can show manage themselves to be able to score enough not to be a liability in 2010 it could truly be a “special” year in Chapel Hill!

Greg Little's first TD

For the second time in two years UNC goes to the Meineke Car Care Bowl in nearby Charlotte, N.C. and for the second time in two appearances at the Bank of America Stadium they come out with a “close but no cigar” performance, losing by one point last year and by two this time around. When it was all said and done North Carolina (8-5) lost to #17 Pittsburgh (10-3) by the final of 19 to 17, with the Panthers getting a 8+ minute drive in the fourth quarter that would end with the game winning field goal. UNC would get the ball back with about a minute, but would not be able to get a 4th and 10 conversion and that would be the game. On a side note, who truly lost was the bowl itself, as it only had 50,000 spectators (smallest crowd in bowl’s history) witness a good game between two coaches that know one another for what seems a lifetime.

But before all of that happened there are a couple of plays that marked this game as far as Carolina is concerned.The T.J. Yates interception when North Carolina is knocking on Pitt’s door was a crucial mistake. Had he thrown that pass away the Heels would have gotten an extra three points and the Panthers would have had to find the end zone in order to win this game and not just a field goal. That would have changed the whole game around. I once again do not like how the coaching staff goes about the last minute of the first half, only rushing three and giving a very good quarterback, Bill Stull (17 for 24 ~ 163 yds ~ 0 TDs ~ 0 INTs), way too much time to find his receivers as Carolina went to zone coverage. And finally, on Pittsburgh game winning drive, the offside on 4th and 3 to give the Panthers an automatic first down and letting them use more time on the clock and get an easier shot at three.

So the reality could truly be that this game was lost a bit by everyone. (Get out the good ole cliche “you win and lose as a team”) On offense the QB made a costly mistake, but the young receivers dropped a few they shouldn’t have and the line opened up a couple of times giving up costly sacks, including back to back ones that drop the Heels out of field goal range. In all Yates didn’t have a bad night, going 19 for 32 for 183 yards ~ 2 TDs and 1 INT, but as is usually the case, when you lose the game the mistakes loom a lot larger than they would in a victory. In this case, the interception as UNC is inside the ten of Pittsburgh just cames out as the difference in this game.

The defense did a good job for the most part, even if they didn’t find a way to get that “game changing” turnover that could have propelled Carolina to a victory and, especially in the first half, and let frosh running back Dion Lewis run around a bit too much. In all the back had 159 yards (on 28 attempts) and a TD, 100 yards and the touchdown came in the first half. That’s pretty big when you think that nine times this season the UNC D didn’t allow teams to get 100 yards in a full game. On the other hand, the defensive unit had plenty of good stops and plays in this game. I hate to say this (cause it is way too early to turn our attention from this game) the biggest concern I have with the defense is more about who is going to head to the pro ranks than anything else. From an article that just came out on WRAL that defensive back Duenta Williams will be back in 2010, while fellow team mate Kendric Burney was not as sure of it.

I know that this is a coaching strategy and style but to me the last minute of the first half could have gone differently if Carolina had blitzed Stull just a bit and not sat back and let him find the gaps in the zone defense. Sure, blitzing could have turned into disaster as Pitt found the one on one match up for a touchdown, but it also could have turned into a sack or a hurried pass that is picked off (see what happened to Yates). Guess what I am saying is that “no risk, no reward” was played here and it gave Pitt both a field goal and some momentum going into the locker rooms at half time. If I am not mistaken (and if I am let me know), but I felt like Pitt ran the same passing play three different times for about the same amount of yards gained each and every time.

And the last play, the one that might hurt the most, is the special team jumping off side and giving Pittsburgh a first down. Sure, the way the Panthers’ kicker was hitting them (finishing 4 for 5 on the night) he could have easily made the field goal, but it would have give the Heels almost two extra minutes and a pair of extra time outs. With just one time out and very few ticks left on the clock UNC could not use it and on two different fourth downs the coaching staff and the offense could not “talk about it”. Had they had all three time outs that would have changed and having about 90 extra seconds the play calling would not always had been ten yards or longer.

I need to mention running back Ryan Houston, who had a good game overall and did a good job moving the chain carrying for almost 90 yards and grabbing two catches as well, and wide out Greg Little, who had both of the touchdowns for the Heels. Both of them should be back and that is already a positive note for the fan base to have when they think about the 2010 season.

In the next week or so I will give you my thoughts about how the whole season went in my mind, but for now I can say that this year was a roller coaster ride for the most part, so it is only fitting to end it with a bowl game that was that type of ride as well. I know two things for sure, first the haters/ABC’ers will give us grief for the loss, but I also know that this game could have gone either way for the whole game. It wasn’t the prettiest of games, it was not a high scoring affair, but for someone who loves the game, it was a good fought game that was won in the trenches by two or three plays going one way instead of the other.

The ACC (Football)

From the official web site of the Atlantic Coast Conference here are the All-ACC teams as voted on by fourty members of the ACC Sports Media Association. There are plenty of UNC players, mostly on the defensive side, including four on the first team. However you will see that the voters did get plenty of Tar Heels on these teams, on all sides of the ball and even on special teams. I think this shows that this program is headed in the right direction and we can expect more great things in years to come.

FIRST TEAM

Offense
QB-Josh Nesbitt, Georgia Tech (50)
RB-Jonathan Dwyer, Georgia Tech (67)
RB-Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech (63)
WR-Demaryius Thomas, Georgia Tech (63)
WR-Donovan Varner, Duke (50)
TE-George Bryan, NC State (39)
TE-Michael Palmer, Clemson (39)
OT-Jason Fox, Miami (57)
OT-Anthony Castonzo, Boston College (53)
OG-Rodney Hudson, Florida State (54)
OG-Cord Howard, Georgia Tech (47)
C-Sean Bedford, Georgia Tech (45)
K-Matt Waldron, Virginia Tech (27)
K-Matt Bosher, Miami (27)
Spc-C.J. Spiller, Clemson (76)

Defense
DE-Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech (76)
DE-Robert Quinn, North Carolina (69)
DT-Nate Collins, Virginia (47)
DT-Allen Bailey, Miami (38)
LB-Cody Grimm, Virginia Tech (65)
LB-Luke Kuechly, Boston College (53)
LB-Quan Sturdivant, North Carolina (44)
LB-Alex Wujciak, Maryland (44)
CB-Kendric Burney, North Carolina (59)
CB-Brandon Harris, Miami (41)
S-DeAndre McDaniel, Clemson (57)
S-Deunta Williams, North Carolina (53)
P-Brent Bowden, Virginia Tech (57)

SECOND TEAM

Offense
QB-Thaddeus Lewis, Duke (18)
RB-C.J. Spiller, Clemson (62)
RB-Montel Harris, Boston College (39)
WR-Torrey Smith, Maryland (25)
WR-Jacoby Ford, Clemson (24)
TE-Greg Boone, Virginia Tech (16)
OT-Ed Wang, Virginia Tech (31)
OT-Chris Hairston, Clemson (26)
OG-Thomas Austin, Clemson (39)
OG-Sergio Render, Virginia Tech (37)
C-Matt Tennant, Boston College (29)
K-Casey Barth, North Carolina (21)
K-Will Snyderwine, Duke (21)
Spc-Torrey Smith, Maryland (17)

Defense
DE-Ricky Sapp, Clemson (29)
DE-Willie Young, NC State (24)
DE-Jason Worilds, Virginia Tech (24)
DT-Marvin Austin, North Carolina (32)
DT-John Russell, Wake Forest (29)
LB-Vincent Rey, Duke (29)
LB-Darryl Sharpton, Miami (21)
LB-Bruce Carter, North Carolina (17)
LB-Colin McCarthy, Miami (17)
LB-Dekoda Watson, Florida State (17)
CB-Ras-I Dowling, Virginia (26)
CB-Patrick Robinson, Florida State (26)
S-Morgan Burnett, Georgia Tech (51)
S-Kam Chancellor, Virginia Tech (24)
P-Matt Bosher, Miami (37)

Honorable Mentions (10 or more points)

Offense
QB-Christian Ponder, Florida State (16)
QB-Russell Wilson, NC State (13)
QB-Riley Skinner, Wake Forest (13)
WR-Marshall Williams, Wake Forest (16)
WR-Rich Gunnell, Boston College (15)
TE-Zack Pianalto, North Carolina (11)
OT-Andrew Datko, Florida State (18)
OT-Kyle Jolly, North Carolina (14)
OT-Blake DeChristopher, Virginia Tech (14)
OT-Chris DeGeare, Wake Forest (12)
OG-Thomas Claiborne, Boston College (16)
OG-Jeff Griffin, Wake Forest (12)
OG-Orlando Franklin, Miami (11)
C-Beau Warren, Virginia Tech (11)
PK-Robert Randolph, Virginia (14)

Defense
DT-Vince Oghobaase, Duke (26)
DT-Jarvis Jenkin,s Clemson (26)
DT-Joe Joseph, Miami (13)
LB-Brad Jefferson, Georgia Tech (16)
LB-Steve Greer, Virginia (16)
LB-Brandon Maye, Clemson (10)
CB-Rashad Carmichael, Virginia Tech (22)
CB-Leon Wright, Duke (19)
CB-Chris Chancellor, Clemson (15)
CB-Crezdon Butler, Clemson (12)
CB-Kenny Okoro, Wake Forest (10)
S-Rashard Hall, Clemson (13)
S-Randy Phillips, Miami (10)
P-Ryan Quigley, Boston College (18)
SPC-Greg Reid, Florida State (15)

I could say a lot about each of the players that were chosen, but I will stick with just one, because I think it truly proves what he did to make it. Zach Pianalto was hurt this season, missing games, and yet was able to prove to the voters that he belonged on these All-ACC teams. I am not going to start one of my “what if” rants, but you have to wonder if the Carolina tight end had been healthy the whole season would he have made the 1st or 2nd team?

The ACC

The Atlantic Coast Conference announced their weekly honors on Monday, and not one, but two Tar Heels were on it. The first one, if you watched the game between Miami and UNC, should be a no brainer: Kendric Burney. He had not one, not two, but three interceptions, which one was a pick six, in leading a stellar defense against the Hurricanes. The other one is Casey Barth, who hit four field goals in the game against Miami, making that team hate the last name Barth even more! With a season now salvaged and a bowl game garuanteed getting things like this only helps this program, since free publicity is the best type you can get! Here is what the ACC said:

DEFENSIVE BACK – Kendric Burney, North Carolina, CB, Jr., 5-9, 190, Jacksonville, N.C. (Southwest Onslow)

Junior cornerback Kendric Burney intercepted three passes and broke a 29-year old ACC single-game record with 170 interception return yards, including a 77-yard touchdown, in North Carolina’s 33-24 win over No. 12 Miami. Burney’s 170 yards also broke the school-record for interception return yards in a season and upped his career mark to 317, also a new school record. The junior returned his second interception of the game for a 77-yard touchdown, his second career interception return for a score. The 77-yard return is the seventh-longest in school history, while the touchdown tied him with six former Tar Heels who had two career interceptions returned for touchdowns, another school record. Burney returned his third interception of the day 46 yards before losing a fumble to teammate Melvin Williams, who ran the remaining 44 yards for the touchdown.

SPECIALIST – Casey Barth, North Carolina, PK, So., 5-11, 180, Wilmington, N.C. (Hoggard)

North Carolina junior place-kicker Casey Barth extended his streak of made field goals to 13 with boots of 22, 42, 32, and 33 yards against Miami. His 42-yarder in the second quarter matched a career-long and extended the Tar Heels’ lead to six points. Barth has connected on eight field goal attempts in the last two weeks.

For those of you that watched the game between #12/15 Miami and North Carolina one thing is certain, this is not the same team that the Heel fan base was watching about a month ago. If anyone can say we they gone from one side of the spectrum to the other, UNC can surely be that team. From dropping a heart breaker against Florida State, where it was more the Tar Heels losing that game than the Seminoles winning, head coach Butch Davis has now won three games in a row (two of them against ranked squads), and has Carolina bowl eligible. Yes, let me repeat that, North Carolina is 7 and 3 and is now able to go to the post season. The latest victory came on Senior Day today, where UNC took care of Miami by the final score of 33 to 24, which is pretty close to my prediction of 27 to 24.

How did the Heels get it done? With their bread and butter, their defense, picking off Miami’s qb Jacory Harris four times, three of them by Kendric Burney, one returned for 77 yards and a touchdown. This is the most interception for a Heel since Dre Bly (`96) and then 170 yards are a record of their own, both for UNC as well as the ACC. Another pick by the UNC D was also returned for a touchdown, this time by Melvin Williams (with an assist of sort by, you guessed it, Kendric Burney). Yes, as I keep saying, if UNC wants to get it done it must follow the lead of their defensive unit and have the offense just play good enough to win. Or, for those that like these kinds of statements, all the offense needs to do is play within themselves.

While T.J. Yates was not perfect by any means, his wide outs also dropped about 4-5 balls that were catchable, the offense was able to do enough to keep the momentum on UNC’s side. One of the things I was most impressed with was that the Heels didn’t turn over the ball once against the `Canes, giving the visitors no possibility to get some easy scores.

The running game, led by Ryan Houston, didn’t have the same easy going as they had a week ago when the Heels faced the Blue Devils, but it was able to gain well over 100 yards and keep the Miami front seven from going after T.J. Yates full out. When the Hurricanes did full blitz it was picked up and once turned into a touchdown as Yates audible to a hot route (slant) where Greg Little beat his defender and ran for 35 yards and a score. I did enjoy the fact that Yates spread out his passes to nine different receivers and while tight end Zach Pianalto is still the main hook up (5 catches), four other players caught multiple passes from their quarterback. By sharing the wealth and having the running game working the Heels were able to keep the `Canes defense guessing and that had to help Carolina in this game.

Can I find something to be a stickler about? Sure, I love that Casey Barth is becoming a great kicker for the Tar Heels, but I would rather that the offense score a bit more touchdowns and give their kicker more work on the extra points and not field goals so close to the end zone. I do not know about anyone else, but as the lead went from 17 to 6 the thoughts of another team from the sunshine state taking a game from Carolina were beginning to slowly, but surely, enter my mind. Fortunately, as I said at the beginning, this team is not the same one that we saw against FSU, and it showed, as they bent but didn’t break against Miami. In the end Miami is now winless in its last four visits to Chapel Hill, something that coach Davis must be pretty proud of.

On this day the Heels salute their ten seniors: center Lowell Dyer, left tackle Kyle Jolly, walk-on linebacker Alex Crisp, walk-on cornerback Tyler Caldwell, fullback Bobby Rome, defensive tackle Cam Thomas, middle linebacker Kennedy Tinsley, safety Melvin Williams, defensive end E.J. Wilson and defensive tackle Al Mullins, I like to say thanks for having done all of your best to make this program the best it can be. If the Heels keep moving forward and upward do not ever forget that it was also you guys that helped to start that!

But let’s remember that UNC has still two games left in the regular season (as well as a bowl game), and so the team will be right back at it working hard to get ready for a trip to Chestnut Hill to face off against Boston College. A game that will be played next Saturday with the time yet to be determined.

After having thought about it for a while I am still left wondering what the heck happened at Kenan Stadium last night. A holding that might not have been there, an interception as the team was in control, a 98 yards touchdown pass from the opposition and a last chance attempt managed very badly. Those to me seem to be the four key issues in the game that saw North Carolina go from being in control to losing to Florida State by the final of 30 to 27. So many cliches could be used to describe this game, unfortunately none would be good, especially when you know that this FSU team was beatable, very beatable. The one that I am going to use is pretty simple: “it is what it is”. I am sure of one thing however, if North Carolina does not go to a bowl game the fan base will remember this game and blame it for staying home in the post season.

The reality is pretty simple however. Halfway through the third quarter the Tar Heels were leading by the score of 24 to 6, then FSU outscored UNC 24 to 3. Looking around the internet the one quote that wraps up what I am thinking is this one:

“It’s too frustrating,” cornerback Kendric Burney said. “I don’t know what to say or how to explain anything right now. It tears you apart.”

It is frustrating watching a game that could have been won go down as a loss for this team that truly has talent (especially on defense), but somehow finds a way to get itself into trouble when there is no need to do so. Even more so when you look and see that Florida State had 121 yards of penalty yards called on them (the `Noles were flagged 16 times). But while the last 20 minutes were the downfall in the game I will not say this was a tale of two halves, since North Carolina should have had a much bigger lead than 17 to 6 against a team that only gained 100 yards. Again I say to you: “it is what it is” when it comes to this game.

But let’s get back to the four things that changed this game. First, the 81 yard touchdown reception by Jhey Boyd that would have put the Tar Heels up 24-3 in the first half. If you watched the game, the way the `Noles were playing, this could have been the play that broke their backs. Instead what happens is a “so-so” holding call that stops UNC’s drive and gives the ball back to FSU, who manages to get a field goal before the half. From 21 points to 11, this was a 10 points swing that truly hurt head coach Butch Davis’ team.

The second and third plays come together. T.J. Yates threw a real bad pass down the field, that was easily intercepted, as the Heels were still in control of the game and were looking to score once again. I was on twitter and said this of the play responding to another Tar Heel: “@A_E_M Those play go under “since we are winning” and then might be categorized as “very costly” RT @JasonPeck: Yates… That was uncalled for“. A few seconds later we could definitely put this play under “very costly” as Florida State scored on a 98 yard pass play, the longest play ever at Kenan Stadium.

The last was not a play, but the last set of plays to end the game. Up to this moment I think that offensive coordinator John Shoop called a good game, but throwing all these small passes for small gains just did not help the Tar Heels who had no time outs and little time left on the clock. The reality is that this game was being won on the ground and once Carolina had to rely on the passing game to score they just could not do it. The fact that they got the ball back with so little time however does not fall on John Shoop but more on Davis, who choose to punt with about five minutes to go, instead of going for it on a 4th and four/five yards.

In the end what is there to say? It could have been a win, but it wasn’t. It was nice to see the offense play well, but they were playing against a defense that is not that good. It was great to see Kenan Stadium rocking, but thinking how much more a win would have helped getting the fan base bigger and stronger. But, as I said before, “it is what it is”, and today the Heels are now 4 and 3, with two of those wins coming against Division IAA opponents, and still winless in the conference. Now the coaching staff and the team have to get back to the drawing board for another Thursday night game against a 5 and 2 (3-1 in the ACC) Virginia Tech on the road.