UNC's Giovani Bernard (26) breaks away from East Carolina's Emanuel Davis (38) in the second quarte. ROBERT WILLETT - rwillett@newsobserver.com
Updated 12:00 a.m.
GREENVILLE – Earlier this week, North Carolina cornerback Charles Brown said there’s nothing more fun than beating a rival that hates you.
Except, apparently, blowing one out.
Tailback Gio Bernard recorded his third straight 100-yard rushing game, quarterback Bryn Renner threw for four touchdowns, and UNC’s defense forced four turnovers to beat East Carolina 35-20 on Saturday in front of a record crowd at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
The Tar Heels (4-1) now lead the all-time series 11-2-1.
“It definitely feels better [to win] against a rival,’’ said UNC defensive end Quinton Coples, who hails from nearby Kinston. “But I think after this one, we’re not going to call it a ‘rivalry’ anymore – it’s just another game.”
Although ECU racked up 490 yards in total offense – and Pirates quarterback Dominique Davis threw for a school record 417 yards – most of it was for naught.
“The first half,” ECU coach Ruffin McNeill said, “we got ourselves in a hole.”
Indeed, he Pirates (1-3), who turned it over seven times last weekend, continued that trend on their first three possessions – allowing the Tar Heels a 14-0 cushion after Renner turned a Tim Scott interception into an 11-yard passing touchdown to Jheranie Boyd; and then Renner found receiver Erik Highsmith for a 75-yard touchdown after linebacker Kevin Reddick recovered a fumble.
“I thought Bryn was sharp tonight,’’ UNC coach Everett Withers said of the sophomore, who completed 13 of 20 passes for 230 yards, zero interceptions – and was sacked zero times.
“He found his receivers … and instead of always trying to make something happen, he threw it away when he needed to. And that shows growth.”
Bernard (24 carries, 146 yards) made it 21-0 early in the second quarter on a 10-yard run to the end zone; he went over 100 yards on that series, and UNC never looked back.
“We wanted to take the ball and take the air out of it – run it and run it and run it, and throw it when we had shots,’’ Withers said. “We did that for the most part, but we didn’t do it as well later in the game when we needed to.”
UNC receiver Dwight Jones (six catches, 93 yards, two touchdowns) gave his team 28-3 halftime cushion on a 47-yard touchdown grab, from Renner.
ECU finally got into the end zone with 5:20 left in the third quarter, when Davis capped a 97-yard scoring drive with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Lance Lewis. Kicker Mike Barbour booted a 25-yarder to cut the Pirates’ deficit to 28-13. But Jones’ one-handed touchdown grab from Renner, with about seven minutes left, sealed UNC victory.
By the time Davis found Danny Webster for a 4-yard touchdown pass with 2:49 remianing for the final tally, ECU’s fans had already started streaming out of the stadium.
And it wasn’t long until UNC’s celebration began.
“Any time you’re 4-1, it’s fun,’’ Withers said. “I just want to get on the bus, and go.”
Robbi Pickeral has covered ACC sports for The News & Observer since 2003. She can be reached at
Comments
Nice game for the Heels...
Mon, 10/03/2011 - 12:12 — UNC1998Watching the replay it seemed they did what they had to do. Benfitting from ECU's mistakes is what good teams do. The long drive down the stretch of the 2nd half pretty much closed the door. That last play might've shown how they weren't 100% in it at that point. 4th and 1 at the 1.... Big Oline and big RB should get it done. Otherwise, pretty good showing.
balance
Sun, 10/02/2011 - 08:56 — SurferNice to see the ball spread around a little bit (Boyd, Highsmith, Jones - a man btw) and to Geo, as well. Would like to see Rhino hit the holes a little faster and we will need Barth back too. Renner showed that he learned from last week's mistakes, let's hope he does not forget it.
This team should make a bowl game, a just reward for this team.
It would be nice to take
Sun, 10/02/2011 - 19:01 — unc098It would be nice to take Louisville and go into a difficult stretch with a 5-1 record.. Clemson is the real deal. This team should get better on offense and defense as the season progresses baring any bad injuries. Whats the deal with Barth? I have been outa town for a while.
5-1
Mon, 10/03/2011 - 11:58 — SurferWould be great, but we really can't look past anybody. To take a peek though, Clemson and VT look rather looming large.
Barth has had a nagging groin pull. He played part time against I think Rut or UVA, but it may have been too soon, so Withers decided to sit him in hopes that he will make a full recovery and be available down the road.
Truly and Louisville has had
Mon, 10/03/2011 - 23:30 — unc098Truly and Louisville has had our number in the past.
We really need Barth down the stretch to make anything of this season.
I am seeing 7-4 ot 8-3 out of this season.
special season
Tue, 10/04/2011 - 11:59 — SurferI am hoping for a 9-3 regular season. Which would be great. Of course (not to jinx anything) there is also the possibility of the infamous "State Championship", as we have ECU, State, Wake and Dook on our schedule this year. All of which I expect to be formidable opponents when we meet them. So if it doesn't happen, just blame it on me for mentioning. But if it does, please, please no t-shirts, just too tacky.
well
Tue, 10/04/2011 - 11:15 — gvillegatrThats back when UNC was playing L'Ville when the string of brother QB's were going through there. UNC should beat this team b/tn 10-17 pts.
Those were the good years
Tue, 10/04/2011 - 21:05 — unc098Those were the good years for LVille. I agree that UNC should win this game without to much trouble. As for 9-3 Surfer, I think its in the realm of possibility. Ryan Houston needs to get his mojo going and hopefully a more healthy secondary will help. I see nothing but tough games after LVille.
Houston
Thu, 10/06/2011 - 13:54 — gvillegatrHe probably feels like an after though considering how well Gio is playing. Not to mention he probably feels like he hasn't played football in a couple of years which is basically true.
He's become a situational player at UNC and he needs to accept it. He is still vital.