UNC's Shaun Draughn (20), who had a career-high 160 yards rushing, races 58 yards for a touchdown. ROBERT WILLETT - rwillett@newsobserver.com
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee dropped North Carolina from its schedule for the next two years.
Good call. The Volunteers don't want to see UNC again after Thursday's wild Music City Bowl.
UNC won 30-27 in overtime after a controversial and confusing finish to regulation which saw UNC's Casey Barth kick a 39-yard field goal to force overtime after head official Dennis Lipski declared the game over.
Barth's 23-yard field goal in the second overtime gave the Tar Heels (8-5) their first bowl win since 2001 and their eighth win of an eventful season marred by an NCAA investigation but also marked by resilience.
Tennessee canceled games between the border states in August in order to lighten the schedule for first-year coach Derek Dooley. The teams ended playing a year early.
Tennessee (6-7) thought it won the game in regulation. Down 20-17 with 16 seconds left — and without any timeouts — UNC opted the run the ball with Shaun Draughn from Tennesse's 25-yard line.
As the clock wound down, quarterback T.J. Yates tried to scramble the offense to the line of scrimmage to stop the clock. At the same time, a portion of UNC's field goal unit ran onto the field, which caused confusion — and a penalty.
Lipski called the game and Tennessee stormed the field, an eerily similar scene to Tennessee's last-second loss to LSU on Oct. 2. The review confirmed the penalty for too many men on the field but also showed Yates spiked the ball with 1 second left.
With 1 second put back on the clock, Barth stepped in and hit a 39-yarder to force overtime.
Yates' capped a penalty-shortened drive with a 1-yard sneak to give UNC a 27-20 lead in overtime.
Tennessee responded with a touchdown on its first possession of overtime. Freshman quarterback Tyler Bray hit Luke Stocker for a 20-yard touchdown — Bray's fourth TD pass of the game.
Bray threw his third interception of the game in the second overtime, to senior linebacker Quan Sturdivant to set the stage for Barth's winning points.
Bray's third touchdown pass, an 8-yarder to Justin Harper with 5:16 left in the fourth quarter, looked like the game-winning points. But Daniel Lincoln's PAT was blocked by UNC defensive end Donte Paige-Moss, which left the score 20-17.
UNC, which led 7-0, 10-7 and 17-14, was as resourceful as it has been for the duration of this trying season. Draughn, subbing for the suspended Anthony Elzy, ran for a career-best 160 yards.
UNC needed Draughn's ground game to offset Bray's passing fireworks. Bray completed 27-of-45 passes for 308 yards with touchdowns of 29, 45 and 8 yards in regulation.
The teams traded big plays, and the lead, in the first half. Bray's 45-yard home run to Da'Rick Rogers at 1:30 in the second quarter put the Vols up 14-10.
Yates responded with a taut, five-play, 72-yard drive down the field, helped by two completions to tight end Ryan Taylor (9 catches, 85 yards). Yates scrambled left and found receiver Erik Highsmith down the left sideline for the 39-yard score.
UNC, which had lost three bowl games since beating Auburn in the 2001 Peach Bowl, jumped out to a 7-0 lead at 10:58 after a 58-yard touchdown run by Draughn. Draughn broke left, got a good kick-out block by tight end Christian Wilson, and then juked Tennessee corner Janzen Jackson for the longest run of his career.
Tennessee tied the game on a 29-yard touchdown catch by Gerald Jones, taking advantage of a UNC secondary which lost safety Deunta Williams to a gruesome leg injury on the series.
Williams got his right leg caught underneath him while he tackled Stocker at 5:32 in the first quarter and broke his fibula. On the same drive, UT got a pass interference call from cornerback Jabari Price and then turned Price around on Jones' touchdown pass.
Williams' injury added to the string of injuries to UNC's senior class, which was also missing running back Johnny White (clavicle), guard Alan Pelc (shoulder), linebacker Bruce Carter (knee) and tight end Zack Pianalto (leg).
The Heels never had senior stars Greg Little or Marvin Austin because of the NCAA investigation, which threatened to derail the season before it started.
UNC lost eight players for the season and 14 for at least one game because of the investigation for academic misconduct and agent-related improper benefits.
Still, with revolving door at running back and the steady arm of Yates, the team rallied around the senior class to post a third straight winning record and make a third straight bowl trip.
And it ended with wild, memorable win.
Comments
My Take
Mon, 01/03/2011 - 10:37 — YAR8pack1) Had Tennessee been able to convert their last PAT attempt in regulation, none of this probably would've mattered.
2) Those officials made Ron "Givin' the Business" Cherry look like the hallmark to which all officiating standards should be set. They messed up, missed, and muddied calls for BOTH teams to the highest degree.
3) I'm almost willing to guarantee there will be a rule change about offensive penalties and the clock running at the end of the game.
4) Tyler Bray created his own bad juju during overtime for the stupid throat slashes he should've been penalized for in regulation.
Yes, the majority of the calls at the end of the game were made as they are written. Other than it being illegal substitution, it should've been illegal participation. The kicker and holder were set behind the line of scrimmage, along with another offensive lineman on the line. The infamous You Tube/Zapruder shows that.
But Barth has an accurate, strong leg, and most likely would've nailed it anyway.
Oh well. The game is over. Or is it...
Agree
Mon, 01/03/2011 - 12:46 — SurferThe PAT block by DPM was key. But on the other hand, it is also likely that "Mad Max's rerferees" would have just kept penalizing TN, moving UNC right on down the field for an easy TD. I mean that was their objective right?
Yes sir, surfer !
Mon, 01/03/2011 - 14:29 — gvillegatrYou know everyone is a UNC fan !!
Little surprised
Sun, 01/02/2011 - 19:52 — gvillegatrWe didn't have more folks complaining about the way this game went to OT. No question it was controversial, but the right calls were made. I guess I wasn't giving enough credit to the majority of ABCer's. Maybe they, too, know the correct calls were made. Well, all of them but one ...
200 posts?
Sun, 01/02/2011 - 20:18 — mad_maxOh look, yet another gatr prediction that was way off.
There are tons of folks who disagree with your version of what happened in this game. Unfortunately for you, you rely on this blog, which is dominated by a handful of UNC regulars, to determine the thoughts of other school's fans.
I suggested that you go visit some other blogs to open your eyes a little bit, but instead, you hurl more insults and act like all other football fans are below UNC fans.
Contrary to all my posting here
Sun, 01/02/2011 - 22:29 — gvillegatrI only go to one more source for sports and it is nothing like ACCNow. I do not have the time to commit to another site like apparently you do. I gotta work at some point ! Besides, it is not healthy to run around to more than one blog site. Hypertension comes to mind.
That's funny
Sun, 01/02/2011 - 21:32 — Heels20People on sports radio around Knoxville who referred to Tennessee in first person were even saying that the refs didn't blow it, as they were consistently bad. I guess you must have visited the ABC blog...
Happy new year
Sat, 01/01/2011 - 11:41 — unc098Everyone.
Didn't see the game. I was in the wilds of Vermont with barely the basics in electronics.
I am going to watch the replay today. Congrats to this very tough and resilient Tar Heel team. I am very happy for TJ and the seniors who did it the right way and fought through the adversity of the seasons distractions to post a good season. Its great to come away with a win against a rising Tennessee program.
More later....
welcome back
Sat, 01/01/2011 - 13:52 — JPDOhioAnd Happy New Year to you, 098.
So, are you back on time or were you snowed in and got a few extra days away?
JDP, Happy new year to you.
Sat, 01/01/2011 - 16:29 — unc098We got real lucky with our travel. My wife and I went up on Christmas day and the kids got out of RDU at 6 am on Sunday and made the last flight into Manchester. That night it snowed 2 feet. We had a great time. Came back late last night. My brother in law and family have an amazing property and we skiied, snowmobiled, and sledded the entire time. Best exercise I had all year. Missed all the bowl games. Glad to see NCSU win and was surprised by the score. I obviously missed seeing the best game of the season from my fan bases point of view,.
More later...looking forward to the start of next weeks ACC BB wars
oops
Sat, 01/01/2011 - 16:31 — unc098Happy New Year 098
Sat, 01/01/2011 - 12:52 — Heels20This game makes the losses to LSU and NCSU much less painless. With less than a minute left in regulation, this team did what many thought was the impossible and drove down the field to force overtime. The seniors really stepped up and will be remembered in a positive way because of it. I couldn't be prouder of these guys.
I'm not sure anybody thought
Sat, 01/01/2011 - 14:28 — mad_maxI'm not sure anybody thought it was impossible for Carolina to tie it up with 30 seconds left.
We all thought it was impossible for Carolina to tie it up after the game was already declared over.
Congrats on the...comeback. Butch certainly has this program going in the right direction.
Max
Sat, 01/01/2011 - 06:14 — Heels20I haven't even wasted my time reading full way through all your comments. Stop being a whiney piece of crap. The refs were bad, but they were consistently bad. They missed holding calls both ways. I even got a phone call from my brother before the end of regulation saying "whoever loses this game has reason to be angry with the refs." Do Tennessee fans have reason to be upset with how the end of the game was handled? Maybe so. But it's funny how you don't mention the late hit they laid on Dwight Jones that wasn't called. That would have led to an automatic field goal, or maybe even a TD to win the game in regulation.
You're a smart guy, but your comments lose all value when you act this biased. Don't bother posting on here if you have nothing valuable to share. You are only embarrassing yourself and irritating other fans.
By the way, congrats on the bowl win. Tenuta has been great for the Pack and I think that their D will be okay even without Irving.
Haha, right. When I point
Sat, 01/01/2011 - 14:25 — mad_maxHaha, right. When I point out facts, and now provide video as proof, I am somehow just being biased. Typical argument from you guys.
If you watch the youtube video that I linked, then you will see that Carolina got away with every questionable call in the last 30 seconds of the game, including an unprecedented ending where UNC was given a free play for committing a penalty, after the ref had declared the game over and the coaches/players had shaken hands. It's funny how with all this out there, all you can say is "both teams got away with holds all game".
You don't get it
Sat, 01/01/2011 - 14:53 — gvillegatrThe game WAS NOT over. TJ spiked the ball with time left on the clock. This IS NOT the NFL as you and many others have said many, many times. For example, how many times have we heard, "this isn't the NFL, you only need one foot inbounds." Too many times. People who hate UNC and/or had UT can't have it both ways. When you spike the ball and a penalty is called on you, there IS NO time run-off. College and NFL are different.
I can only imagine what we'd here out of your key board had that been nc state spiking the ball and the refs calling the game over only to have it reversed by replay.
You know damn well you'd be singing an entirely different tune. You need UNC therapy. Time and time again you show way more passion for hating UNC than loving nc state.
Video evidence
Sat, 01/01/2011 - 14:30 — Heels20I was at the game, Maxy Max. The people arguing with you all saw the game. I've watched your video and every point you make is weak. If the officials blew it, then why did the NCAA say they made the right call?
Sorry the Heels ruined your holidays. Maybe you'll feel better if you call TOB and discuss the conspiracy against the Wolfpack, and how your Thursday night games are secretly arranged to your detriment, and how you should let every Tar Heel recruit know that they'll never play in a bowl game.
Heels 20
Sat, 01/01/2011 - 10:41 — gvillegatrYou do know Max thinks the late hit on Dwey Jones would have been the incorrect call. He says so a few posts above. Claims the guy was pushed by another UNC player. I never saw it.
He also thinks the long catch on the final drive in regulation was incomplete although not one angle from the tv cameras proves him correct.
Max whines more than anyone here. I knew this game would get to him. He probably still hasn't slept a wink ...
I'm just confused
Sat, 01/01/2011 - 12:54 — Heels20at why opposing fans refuse to look at it from both sides. It's like any time that UNC gets a call that goes their way, these guys are quick to point it out, but they suddenly are wearing earphones and a blindfold when Carolina gets screwed. The officials were not the reason for Tennessee's loss. The outcome can be attributed to Carolina stepping it up and Tennessee making dumb penalties and mistakes on the field.
Video
Sat, 01/01/2011 - 14:16 — mad_maxI'm just confused as to why you guys constantly act like everyone else is delusional, and only UNC fans can be fair and unbiased.
Here's a link to the video, showing exactly what I'm talking about. I don't expect you to reply, because you guys just stick your fingers in your ears and call everyone else crazy and jealous every time you're proven wrong.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NP8y8OaGNo
"Music City Bowl Ending - Tennessee vs North Carolina - 12/30/10"
*from :29 to 6:00, you can see countless replays that confirm that the pass was not caught to put UNC in field goal range. The ball clearly comes out as soon as the receiver is hit and before he completes the catch.
*at about 6:15 is the play that all you are whining for a late hit over. Again, it is clear as day that UNC's #49 pushes the Tennessee player (in the back and after the whistle, mind you) into the fallen UNC player. If anything this should be a flag on Carolina. Just because you guys are blind and the ESPN announcer was all over Butch's nuts, doesn't mean that Tennessee should have been penalized.
Upon further review
Sat, 01/01/2011 - 14:30 — gvillegatrThe UT defender WAS NOT pushed.
Ok. Maybe he was. :). I had not seen that the night of the game.
BUT, Harrelson clearly made the 30 yd or do catch on the sideline. From either endzone camera, the ball DOES NOT hit the ground and the camera angle from the stands with the side line perspective shows the football in his arm and NOT touching the ground. It was initially ruled a catch and it was upheld as a catch.
1 out of 2 for Max is like making straight A's. You and your mother should be proud.
Disagree about the "catch",
Sat, 01/01/2011 - 14:49 — mad_maxDisagree about the "catch", but your last line made me laugh. =)
Clear as day...
Sat, 01/01/2011 - 14:26 — Heels20...only to those who despise Carolina. There was ZERO indisputable evidence that it wasn't a catch. The ball comes loose, but he very well may have had possession when his shoulder hit down. From the angles we saw, the officials made the correct call.
Ryan Taylor pushed the defender, but notice how the guy lowers his shoulder and does not let up AT ALL. When Clemson played FSU a few years ago, a similar play occurred in which Darnell Dockett did the same thing as the Tennessee defender. He was pushed, but used it as an opportunity to go hard on a late hit. Dockett was thrown out of that game. If you think that Tennessee player was letting up, it's once again something I'm not even going to take the time to argue. There's no moron vaccine.
It's funny how you run your mouth about how Carolina fans are a bunch of snobby elitists who everyone hates, but then proceed to complain about the way commentators and officials love us. THAT, my friend, is a contradiction.
That's the reason
Sat, 01/01/2011 - 22:49 — packstrength90H20,
I'm an ardent ABC'r, and hated that UT gave that game away. But that was what happened; UNC didn't win it. That being said, from what I saw, all the call's were correct. It was a catch and Yates spiked the ball with 1 second left. UT lost the game when they ran the ball into the pile three straight times with 1:30 something left on the clock. Doing that they deserved to loose the game.
To your contradiction argument, you made the case for every State and duke fan on here. The announcers and pollsters are always sucking the blue Koolaid. UNC and Noterdame are two teams that are consistently ranked 10 - 20 places higher than they should be. Look at the preseason rankings of the FB and BB teams this year. All they could talk about in the game was how BD did such a great job with all the players out. They never mention how dirty, scummy, sleezy and out of control Butch's so called program is. Never mention how the UNC administration is covering up everything that hasn't already been exposed by the NCAA. That's why there is so many ABC'rs.
Respectfully disagree
Sun, 01/02/2011 - 00:16 — Heels20Tennessee wasn't the only team that made stupid mistakes. Yates' interception came on a 3rd and 1 play in which we were nearing the redzone. Points off the board. Dwight Jones' drop on 4th and 20 would have been a 1st down, and also in a spot that would put us in position to score. While I completely agree that Tennessee's boneheaded penalties killed them in the end, UNC also made mistakes that could have cost them the game. For that reason, I just don't see how one can argue that this was more of a matter of Tennessee losing rather than UNC winning.
I really don't see how you came to the conclusion that the media is in love with Butch. Every sports media outlet from PTI to the N&O have spent a great deal of time focusing on the NCAA investigation. Butch has done an excellent coaching job, but no facts have come out that indicate he was fully aware of what was going on. Should the media accuse him of being a scumbag if there's no proof that he was among the many contributing to the corruption? Several names have come up after what has been an intense investigation. Why condemn the guy with zero proof?
Butch is either an excellent actor or totally committed to his players. Whether you're a fan or not, you have to admit that he's done a pretty amazing job with this team considering the circumstances. The preseason rankings for football may have even underestimated this program. 8-5 with three VERY close losses? Can you imagine what this team would have done with the personnel we were expected to have when the preseason rankings came out?
You're dead on about the basketball rankings this year/last year. I don't think any rational fan expected us to be #8 preseason. I felt we'd be #15 at best by the end of the year. That's still a possibility, but we'll see how it unravels.
Oh god, I hope plenty of
Sat, 01/01/2011 - 14:47 — mad_maxOh god, I hope plenty of people come watch this video and then read your comment! You are out of your mind H20! Do I even need to respond to that?
1. The ball comes loose and hits the ground! You can see this from the sideline angle, c'mon dude. And even if he had grabbed possession of it before then, his shoulder hit down out of bounds. Unbelievable that you still think that's a catch!
2. You're actually comparing this play to the Dockett play where he was ejected? This is just too good haha. The limb you crawled out on broke a long time ago. So, are you saying that the Tennessee player was blocked in the back after the play and in a split second made the conscious decision to take a flagrant cheap shot? And then of course, he should havve been ejected, right? That's quite an accusation there H20. But you're right...I'm the one with blinders on, heh.
I challenge any of you here to go visit some other blog sometime. Try checking out an SEC blog, especially one with an article on this game. You will see that just about everyone views UNC in the same way; It's not just the Pack fans, despite what you claim and think.
I watched that late hit on this fancy WWW 6 times today...
Sat, 01/01/2011 - 22:46 — UNC1998The UT player was pushed lateral to the direction of his motion. He continuned his forward motion, did not attempt to let up, and barrelled into Jones. That is how my 2 kids, ECU grad neighbor, VT fan friend, and me see it. Only a ________ fan would see it differently.
I also think the defender kind of held up the game by not getting off of Draughan after his dumb run play. I know if performed flawlessly the run play and spike could have worked pretty well. You just have to figure in stuff like the bleeping defender laying on you like a mattress after the play is over. The side judge had to come running in to mark the ball and I'm sure said something to him to get up.
I also have kind of a hard time believing that a true freshman is going to be able to handle Coples all night without holding, clutching, etc....
I listened to the bulk of this game on the radio, but can't recall a whole lot of holding penalties being called.
That's bC
Sat, 01/01/2011 - 23:09 — gvillegatrThere were none called. A young, very young Tenny team "played" like a bunch of vets !!
Like I said earlier, UNC played against a stacked deck all night and the official head ref did all he could to see it through till the end. The damn replay guys saved the Heels ass...
Haha
Sat, 01/01/2011 - 14:58 — Heels20You're a funny guy, Max. My point is that there's precedent for a late hit like that. Dockett was tossed. Was his hit more vicious than the made by Tennessee? Yeah, but Tennesse definitely should have gotten a 15 yarder. If you disagree with that, then you're pretty much saying that refs should give calls to all teams, but call the exact same thing the other way when it's UNC.
Are you honestly saying Harrelson's shoulder was out of bounds? What a joke. Clearly hits in-bounds. I agree that the ball came loose, but there is no angle that shows the ball hitting the ground. This is about as bad as your tirade last January when you blamed Carolina's 14 point win in basketball on the officials.
If you're a frequent visitor of an SEC blog, then that explains your display of hilarity. SEC fans are idiots. I guess you hang out there because they make you feel smart?
Hanging out at the sec blog site
Sat, 01/01/2011 - 23:04 — gvillegatrJust solidify's what we say about Max all the time: he loves to hate UNC more than his love for nc state.
It is pathetic you have to go find a pro-Tenny site to get your thrills and to reinforce what you believe. The point you are missing is you went to a site that happened to share the same opinion as you; the losers. It doesn't make you right you know.
It's unbelievable how some
Fri, 12/31/2010 - 16:20 — mad_maxIt's unbelievable how some of you Heels fans are claiming that the refs worked against you in this game!
Sure, they could have called a penalty for Tennessee's late hit, but guess what? You all KNOW that the reviewed catch that put UNC in field goal range was in no way a catch! Don't act like Tenn got all the calls and UNC got nothing!
Also, judging by some of the comments, some of you must not understand what happened at the end of regulation. "I'm glad they got it right." -- Hahahaha are you serious???
Anyone who knows how football works, knows that UNC got away with murder at the end of this game. It's inexcusable that UNC was somehow awarded another chance for committing a penalty. Think about what happened: the clock is running, they commit an offensive penalty...that doesn't stop the clock!!! They simply stop the clock until the ball is respotted by the refs. If you're one of the people claiming that the refs got this right, then you must believe that UNC could get their offense off the field, get their kick team lined up, and snap the ball all in less than one second! Why is Carolina rewarded for committing a penalty?!? This game was over. I wouldn't be surprised to see Tenn fight this one, or at least claim victory for themselves. Hell, I would at least demand a share of the trophy from the Music City Bowl.
I wouldn't expect most of the lousy fans here to acknowledge what really happenned last night, but the fact that there is a definitive rule in place in the NFL to prevent teams from getting away with what Carolina did, is proof enough that UNC didn't deserve to win this game.
Imagine if somebody ever got away with something like this against Carolina. You guys would all be screaming bloody murder! Heck, your school would probably file a lawsuit.
Anyways, please feel free to try and explain why there was nothing wrong with the way the refs handled the end of this game...it's really quite amusing. I'm curious to know if you guys just didn't understand the situation, or if you're just so drunk from BD's koolaid that you are unable to be honest with yourselves.
2 things
Sat, 01/01/2011 - 14:14 — SurferOne, the spiked ball stops the clock.
Two, yes, we have NFL caliber players, but this was a college bowl game, fyi.
You just don't
Sat, 01/01/2011 - 14:58 — mad_maxYou just don't understand what happened. The spike did NOT stop the clock. The penalty did. If the spike stopped the clock, then the ref never would have had to signal to start the clock right before Carolina snapped it for their field goal attempt. Do you get it yet?
If you listened to the ref's explanation...
Sat, 01/01/2011 - 22:52 — UNC1998viewed on the ever expanding www you could see that he called the 5 yard penalty, after a pause (as if to say this also occured) he announced the ball spike. To me, they are seperate issues. An incomplete pass was executed with 1 second on the clock. That is the purpose of spiking the ball. How can a spike not stop the clock? The penalty was, in effect, a different issue on the same play.
Check out the photo @ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Yates spike.jpg
It shows Yates walking away after spiking the ball, and 1 second clearly shows on the clock. That spike by rule stops the clock.
The clock was not stopped
Sun, 01/02/2011 - 20:07 — mad_maxThe clock was not stopped for the spike. If it was, then why would the ref have to motion to start the clock again before the snap of UNC's field goal attempt? Think about it.
Hello
Sun, 01/02/2011 - 21:37 — gvillegatrThe ref motioned the "shot clock" to start, not the official clock. C'mon, dude. You are the ONLY ONE not to get it.
Oh my !
Fri, 12/31/2010 - 22:59 — gvillegatrI got a kick and a laugh all the way through that ! Heck, I'm still smiling !
Anybody else out there who is a "lousy" fan get amused !?
A fitting end
Fri, 12/31/2010 - 12:48 — Heels20Unbelievable finish to the season that has been a total emotional roller coaster for this team. With all the Vols fans who made the trip up for this one, our guys once again faced an "us against the world" challenge. Could it have ended any better?
I'm extremely happy for Butch and these seniors. The Heels played their hearts out and the celebration after the game was incredible. This was definitely the best bowl game I've ever been to.
Congratulations to the coaches and players. They deserved this win 100%.
JPG's Parting shot
Fri, 12/31/2010 - 12:07 — SurferA friend texted to me the following from the hard copy of the N&O, "After seemingly running out of time in regulation, UNC is given an extra second on the clock to kick a tying field goal and force overtime." That was the subheadline that was below the large headline, which read, "UNC gets a do-over". Uh, biased much? Too funny. Oh, and I am not complaining, just glad to see that JPG is coming through. Some credit is due though, he did also state in the write up later that, "The review confirmed Yates spiked the ball with 1 second left".
You obviously don't
Fri, 12/31/2010 - 16:06 — mad_maxYou obviously don't understand the situation or the rules that apply in said situation.
The fact that Yates spiked the ball with one second left is irrelevant; The penalty occurred before the spike.
But you must be right...JPG and every other sports journalist/analyst that has discussed the end of this game must just be Carolina haters!
Rules
Sat, 01/01/2011 - 14:25 — SurferPlease explain the rules that apply in this situation and how the refs got is wrong. I am genuinely interested in the specifics.
Regarding journalist being ABCers, not every other but just JPG, and I don't hold that against him, I appreciate his views and find them to be quite entertaining.
Specifics
Sat, 01/01/2011 - 15:06 — mad_maxThe penalty is what kept the clock stopped, not the spike. And the clock starts again upon the respotting of the ball. One second never should have been enough time for Carolina to get that snap off. This is what's being so heavily debated. The NFL has a rule that runs time off the clock in situations like these...I'm guessing the NCAA will have that same rule next year to make sure this can't happen, even with terrible officiating.
First of all, the refs called the wrong penalty, and not enough penalties. The refs could and should have called illegal shift as well as false start. They did call illegal substitution for 5 yards, but if you watch the replay, 12 UNC players are lined up, meaning that it should be illegal participation, which is a 15 yard penalty. This would have made it almost a 50 yard attempt, not that the kick should have ever been allowed anyways.
UNC was rewarded a free play and a chance at winning (after the game was already declared over!), because they committed a penalty. If you don't see what's wrong with the way the refs interpreted the rules, then you are completely lost.
So...
Sat, 01/01/2011 - 15:21 — Heels20...you're saying that we should overturn the ruling on Harrelson's catch because of an assumption, and we should ignore precedent and agree that the officials got it right by not throwing a flag when Jones was hit late, not call delay of game on Tennessee's D for laying on Draughn for an extensive penalty, but we should pick and choose calls that screw Carolina in the end? Okay, that's objective.
Like I told gatr, everybody
Sat, 01/01/2011 - 15:44 — mad_maxLike I told gatr, everybody lays around to try and run the clock out. I've seen your boys in blue do it many, many times, and they have never been called for it. Your argument is a joke, and everyone that's not a UNC fan is on the opposite side as you and gatr.
Haha
Sat, 01/01/2011 - 16:23 — Heels20Once again, you're ignoring the rules. Getting up slowly is one thing. Flat out laying there is delay of game. Just because it hasn't always been called on UNC doesn't mean that it's not a penalty.
It's not an assumption
Sat, 01/01/2011 - 15:42 — mad_maxIt's not an assumption dude. The video shows it all. You're the one that has to assume that he somehow caught the ball despite the video showing that he very clearly did not catch it! You are delusional.
Dude
Sat, 01/01/2011 - 16:22 — Heels20The video does not show it was a drop. The ruling on the field was a catch. If it was a drop, it would have been overturned. This is such an easy concept bud.
Coincidence or not ?
Fri, 12/31/2010 - 11:24 — gvillegatrUT got clicking throwing the ball around when Deunta Williams got hurt. There offense was terrible prior to. Hard to imagine one guy can have an effect, but in this case I believe it.
I'm glad the mighty N&O decided to finally cover this game...
Fri, 12/31/2010 - 08:26 — UNC1998That said... What a finish! It was very odd, but the correct call was made. Anyone who says the game should be over is not interested in getting it right. On UNC's final drive of regulation I saw 3 penalties vs. UT with only 1 called. If that's ok, then it's ok to review the final play and get it right. Draughan played his heart out, and Yates stayed steady down the stretch. It was a shame to see Williams get hurt. I wish him the very best.
Some of the post game quotes were kind of funny. Seeing that punk Bray cry was kind of funny, too. Why Dooley didn't reign him in astounds me.
Oh well, football around here is done until next year. I'm not much of a basketball guy, but we'll see how that turns out.
Happy New Year, everyone! (most everyone anyway).
Oh by the way, that late hit
Fri, 12/31/2010 - 16:33 — mad_maxOh by the way, that late hit that you guys keep complaining about? Watch the damn replay...the Tenn player was pushed into the contact by a UNC blocker. That's why the ref (who was looking directly at the play) didn't throw a flag. Nice try though...whatever it takes to justify the cheating, right?