CHAPEL HILL — Maybe it was the nine-month layoff or maybe North Carolina was mesmerized by the familiarity of The Citadel's uniforms, either way it took one quarter for the Tar Heels to find their bearings in Saturday's season-opener at Kenan Stadium.
The 21st-ranked Tar Heels made up for a sluggish start with an assertive finish in a 40-6 win over the lower Division I Bulldogs.
With everyone on the field wearing the same colored helmet, there was bound to be some confusion. UNC spent the first 15 minutes playing like they were trying differentiate their version of light blue with The Citadel's. There were dropped passes and missed assignments, the usual residual effects from the offseason, as the first quarter ended 0-0.
UNC's hyped-up defense lived up to the hype and kick-started the rout in the second quarter. UNC forced four turnovers, including three in the decisive second quarter. Safety Deunta Williams netted two interceptions, both in the first half, to help the Heels build a 23-0 halftime advantage.
With all the free possessions, the Heels' offense — with a new receiving corps and two new starters on the offensive line — found its game legs, and play-calling balance. Quarterback T.J. Yates threw for two touchdowns, both in the second quarter, and the running back tandem of Shaun Draughn and Ryan Houston accounted for two more touchdowns.
As has become the pattern, Draughn picked up the yardage (118 yards on 20 carries) and Houston cashed in the touchdowns — a 5-yarder and a 3-yarder.
After a 22-yard field goal by Casey Barth broke the ice 45 seconds into the second quarter, Yates found receiver Johnny White for an 18-yard touchdown and a 10-0 advantage.
The Citadel, missing its top two running backs, couldn't get anything going against UNC's faster defense, picking up only 73 total yards in the first half, and just 16 yards on 10 rushing attempts.
Houston stretched the lead out to 16-0 with his first touchdown but Barth missed the PAT.
Defensive end Robert Quinn gave UNC's offense the ball right back. Quinn sacked Bart Blanchard and forced a fumble at the Bulldogs' 26-yard line. The offense turned the short field into a 21-yard hookup between Yates and receiver Greg Little.
Yates, who finished 9-of-20 for 114 yards, threw an interception at the end of the half which gave The Citadel got the ball at UNC's four-yard line but Williams picked off Blanchard in the end zone with 37 seconds left in the half.
Houston, finishing off another drive where Draughn did the heavy lifting, scored the only touchdown in the third quarter, a 3-yard plunge.
The special teams got in on the act with a 77-yard punt return by Da'Norris Searcy on the first play of the fourth quarter.
A fumbled punt by Kendric Burney, in UNC's territory, in the fourth quarter set up The Citadel's first score, a 42-yard field goal by Sam Keeler, which prevented UNC from its first shutout since 1999. Keeler added a 28-yard field goal with 28 seconds left in the game to complete the score.
Comments
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Overall Grade: B
Sun, 09/06/2009 - 00:56 — Heels20For the most part, I was very pleased with what I saw tonight. Other than the INT, Yates looked great. Draughn didn't seen to break any big ones, but he had the consistent 6 yard run going for him. Our receivers showed good route running, but we will definitely need to cut back on the dropped passes. The O-line was good, but not great.
Defensively, we couldn't have asked for much more. Duenta Williams was outstanding. Quan Sturdivant was a beast, and Donte Moss was getting after that QB when he got his time in. I think there is definitely room for improvement, but I was very happy with what I saw on the defensive side of the ball.
I think UCONN will be a win, but it's definitely not a game to overlook. They have a solid defense and we will have to keep the turnovers to a minimum. It's the perfect game to come before ECU, as we'll play a team talented enough to challenge us, but not talented enough to completely wear us out.
There are definitely still some loose strings that need to be tied, but I'm happy with where we are right now. Obviously, The Citadel isn't the ideal game to really get a feel for how good your team is, but you've got to start somewhere. For next weekend, I'll prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Glad we came out of the game healthy and on top (by 34 points). Go Heels.
40-6
Sun, 09/06/2009 - 00:20 — gvillegatrthis is the kind of score you need when you play these lowly Div 1-AA teams. anything less would have been unacceptable.
But, this conference is terrible if this weekend is the coming attractions for the rest of the season ...
congratulations...
Sun, 09/06/2009 - 00:02 — izzykareemthat's all
Speaking of routes...
Sat, 09/05/2009 - 21:38 — UNC1998it looked like the wr's were running them fine, but when the ball got to them they must of thought it had swine flu. They wanted no part of it. I'm sure a lot of that had to do with first game (of your college career) jitters. With Jones out #3 got the start, and dude needs to start reeling them in. I'm sure it will work out. It was his first game, and he only found out he was starting on Thursday (probably). Overall, I'd say the Heels did just fine. The defense was pretty much having their way with the opponent. Houston and Draughan look much better, and the Heels ran the ball really well. I really like that!
Rout(e)
Sat, 09/05/2009 - 20:46 — KingFridayI think you mean "rout," but the way they're running over them I guess "route" could apply.