ATLANTA -- Trailing by as many as 20 points – with 13 players either ruled ineligible or withheld from the game – UNC athletic director Dick Baddour said he was particularly proud of his football team’s comeback attempt Saturday night.
The 18th-ranked Tar Heels lost 30-24 to No. 21 LSU when quarterback T.J. Yates and tight end Zach Pianalto couldn’t connect on two straight plays, from six yards out.
“I’ve certainly seen a lot of situations where I’ve been proud – some in loss, some in wins,’’ Baddour said. “I’ve never been more proud of a group of young men, to respond with all the distractions, all the adversity then what we saw tonight. Not just prior to the game, but in the game. And as I said, I felt like they came into this game ready to play. Our fans showed a lot of heart, and our players responded to that.”
Robbi Pickeral has covered ACC sports for The News & Observer since 2003. She can be reached at 
Comments
Thanks to Yar8, Max, TDittyt
Sun, 09/05/2010 - 17:32 — Heels20Thanks to Yar8, Max, TDittyt and JPD for the kind words. It's easy for fans to get on here and kick us while we're down with all the suspensions, but you guys are representing NC State well with your posts.
I didn't think TJ played very well at all in the first three quarters. I was just disappointed because I felt as though a fifth year senior should have better control of the huddle (miscommunication on snaps, having to call a timeout as the playclock expired). However, he really stepped it up and showed tremendous leadership in the final period. It's unfortunate because many people will just see this as a 30-24 loss, but I think it's important to recognize some opportunities we had that could have pushed us to a W.
First off all, Ramsey and Pianalto both dropped very catchable balls in the endzone. That will kill you every time.
Second of all, as JPD said, there is no excuse for snapping the ball over the QBs head. That, along with Furr leaving us in awful field position on the worst kick return of all time and our other special teams mishaps that led to points, were also factors that held us back from falling short in a game we could have won.
Thirdly, I didn't like the play-calling in the first three quarters. Running the ball on third and long is okay when you're in a close game against a superior opponent, but not during a game in which you can hang with the opposition. You have to at least give these guys a chance.
It sounds like I'm ripping these guys, but I don't mean it that way at all. The point I'm getting at is that if we can eliminate these fixable errors, we're going to be an outstanding football team. I'm ecstatic to see how we play against Georgia Tech in a couple weeks. You never want to lose any of your games, but I feel that most of us can agree that this was a moral victory. Congratulations to LSU for holding on in the end, and congratulations to our guys for showing true heart. Look forward to seeing how we build off this.
I do not believe this team...
Sun, 09/05/2010 - 16:26 — UNC1998will quit. There's been so much happening around this program those players know the only ones they can count on are themselves. Before this game started there were two ways it could have gone: UNC comes out and looks like a Chinese fire drill while getting wiped off the field with no attempt at a comeback (or) UNC comes out and plays their best letting the chips fall where they may. UNC played as a team, got behind as a team, came back as a team, and ultimately lost as a team. It was great how they came back. I'll be the first to say the 2nd quarter pretty much stank. Having a week off is good for the team as they'll either get yes or no for questionable players and they'll have a little more time gameplanning and setting up special teams rosters. LSU is not great, but they had the two most talented players on the field. I don't care if the coaches stopped coaching the players stopped playing or whatever. The fact is UNC basically shut LSU down in the 2nd half, and when it was do or die time it was UNC deciding. The players for UNC gave a great effort, and in the end that's all anyone can ask.
It would be easy for me to
Sun, 09/05/2010 - 12:38 — mad_maxIt would be easy for me to talk about all the bad aspects of this game (LSU laying down, referees, etc.), but I'll save it for if and when the Heels fans decide to run their mouths...which they might not do, and it's looking that way.
I will give props to Carolina for hanging in there and not giving up, despite what all was going on before and during the game. This game reminded me a lot of the State/Clemson basketball game in Raleigh last season; amazing comeback, heartbreaking loss, and standing ovation from the fans afterwards. I really think UNC will be able to build on this (State beat Duke right after that Clemson game), and I'm happy for those guys that got to play because of all the suspensions. Perhaps all of the alleged cheaters realized that life, and UNC football, can and will go on without them. Well, that's enough of me being cordial...it literally makes me sick! Haha, can't wait for next weekend to see the next chapter of the season unfold.
gonna run my mouth
Sun, 09/05/2010 - 14:07 — gvillegatrYou suck. you suck. you suck.
now how bout that complaining of the refs and LSU laying down. :)
max
Mon, 09/06/2010 - 18:13 — gvillegatryou know I was just being funny, right? maybe you're out of town or something??
Haha
Mon, 09/06/2010 - 18:34 — mad_maxI know. Trust me, it made me smile. You're spot on though...I was in Wilmington with my girlfriend for the weekend, and I forgot my laptop charger of course.
Thanks
Sun, 09/05/2010 - 09:19 — SurferTdiddy and Yar8,
Thanks for the positive comments. FWIW, I am placing you on my "good guy" list w/ JPDOhio.
JPD, your thoughts on TJ? Just curious.
Yates
Sun, 09/05/2010 - 14:47 — JPDOhioGlad you asked, since I've spent a good part of the last couple of weeks blistering the kid. I didn't see the third quarter and part of the 4th, because I gave up on the Tar Heels at half-time. Then I went back and checked the score later. Glad I did.
First, TJ deserves a lot of credit for not giving up and almost pulling out the second most crazy come-from-behind victory of the day. (Jackonsville State gets 1st place). Yates is a talented QB, but you knew that and, although I hate to admit it, so did I. Bottom line- if UNC can get that kind of performance from TJ consistently this year, they have a good chance if doing as well or better than predicted. But, therein lies the rub.
The main problem I still have with TJ is consistency. He makes a lot a excellent plays, but he is also good for a half-dozen bonehead mistakes and decisions every game. The fumbled snaps and the blown shotgun snap are inexcusable. The next-to-last pass to Pianalto was short and simple, yet TJ threw it behind him. (The last one was on the money and should have been caught). So the talent and leadership is there, if he can eliminate the costly mistakes.
Assuming UNC gets most of the rest of its players back, they will be the force that preseason predictions say they are. Whether they win 10 or 7 games will depend on how Yates performs. He missed a chance at winning yesterday's game. I don't think he necessarily has to win any more for them. But he has to avoid making mistakes that lose games for them.
one thing
Mon, 09/06/2010 - 18:12 — gvillegatrand I could be wrong about this, but IMO none of the fumbled snaps and shotgun were Yates fault. They were the fault of the center for not knowing what the snap count was for some ungodly reason. In all instances, Yates was still looking over the line and calling plays when the snaps occured.
Anybody else want to chime in about this??
Guilty until proven innocent
Mon, 09/06/2010 - 22:43 — JPDOhioBased on his past history of multiple mistakes in each game, TJ is responsible for mistakes in any play he is involved in.
conclusion
Tue, 09/07/2010 - 07:43 — gvillegatryou really DO NOT like TJ Yates. lol.
except...
Tue, 09/07/2010 - 08:40 — JPDOhiowhen UNC plays State.
The build up to Nov 20th is
Tue, 09/07/2010 - 20:26 — unc098The build up to Nov 20th is going to be hard to bear. Can't we play in a month after we get our players back ( assuming we do )
lol
Tue, 09/07/2010 - 19:23 — gvillegatryou are gonna be disappointed this season ...
Here's hoping....
Tue, 09/07/2010 - 21:02 — JPDOhioThey are both playing for more than just watercooler bragging rights.
tarhole-cheaters
Mon, 09/06/2010 - 18:28 — bluecat69bluecat69cheaters never win. go duke champs!
True
Sun, 09/05/2010 - 08:48 — YAR8packBaddour should be proud. The heels could have easily said "to heck with it" after the half and began packing their bags.
Y'all know the rest of the story for last night's game. But, either way, good work by the heels for fighting till the end.
He should be. Kudos.
Sun, 09/05/2010 - 00:39 — TDiddytHe should be. Kudos. Hope D Williams is cleared soon. A fine young man.
Indeed. What an effort. The
Sat, 09/04/2010 - 23:53 — unc098Indeed.
What an effort. The Carolina Nation is very proud tonight. The kids have heart. TJ looked great