North Carolina tailback Anthony Elzy did not travel with the team to Nashville, and will not play in the Thursday’s Music City Bowl, because he did not meet his obligations as a student athlete at UNC, team spokesman Kevin Best confirmed today.
With Johnny White and Giovani Bernard injured, Ryan Houston redshirting and Shaun Draughn in and out of the lineup, Elzy's ascent from second-string fullback to starting tailback had been key at the end of the season for the Tar Heels. In UNC’s final three games, he rushed for 236 yards and caught 20 passes for 301 yards.
"He's just been a lifesaver," UNC quarterback T.J. Yates said about Elzy recently. "As a back, there's nothing he's not able to give you, and we needed all he had."
Without Elzy, Draughn, a senior, should get plenty of carries. White could also be a possibility. He broke his collarbone in early November after leading the team in rushing (720 yards) before the injury, and his timeframe for recovery was 6 to 8 weeks. Coach Butch Davis said earlier this month that there was a chance he could play in the bowl; Best said White was not practicing Monday.
Hunter Furr, who had 5 carries for 29 yards this season, is another option.
Robbi Pickeral has covered ACC sports for The News & Observer since 2003. She can be reached at
Comments
go figure
Tue, 12/28/2010 - 01:42 — JPDOhioRight after getting a very positive, complimentary article, this happens. Too bad. I was pulling for Anthony. You would think that a graduate of a good Catholic HS would know better.
But then again:
I could go on, but you get the picture. Its unfortunate that Elzy didn't learn his lesson.
It's easy to recruit when
Mon, 12/27/2010 - 21:33 — awdracerIt's easy to recruit when you cheat.
There has been not one hint
Tue, 12/28/2010 - 01:37 — EHawkThere has been not one hint of a recruiting violation at UNC. You wuffies are a sad, sad bunch. Last I saw, your football players had a graduation rate of 48%. Wow, even your tutors must be dumb. As far as Elzy, we could always take Valvano's example and just play him anyway. At least our kids aren't stealing stereos, robbing pizza delivery people, and throwing their girlfriends down stairwells. When the NCAA rules you sad sacks are going to be very dissappointed because it isn't going to be nearly as bad as you hope and dream it will. As far as your recent "streak" goes, consider yourselves very lucky, and remember that you would have to win 33 more years in a row just to tie the overall series. You keep obsessing about UNC while Butch focuses on the big picture. It is only a matter of time before we get "TOB" fired just the way we have every other coach you've had. Concentrate on your own bowl game. You should be excited about it considering it has been a while since you've been to one.
Wow, look at the NCSU bowl
Mon, 12/27/2010 - 16:43 — GoHeels1984Wow, look at the NCSU bowl stories the last couple of days.... No NCSU fans commenting on their own bowl game which is tomorrow. Go to the UNC stories and State fans all over them...
Poor State fans... still obsessing over UNC. Funny stuff.
Oxygen Thief
Tue, 12/28/2010 - 18:17 — sandhilsmarcGoheals, you do know you look like an idiot when you post this State hating stuff, don't you? All this from someone who didn't even go to the school... did someone blaze an L in your forehead--if not someone should.
forgive me
Mon, 12/27/2010 - 21:59 — JPDOhioFor passing making any comments about the "Pack Mixing Business with Pleasure" and "West Virginia's awkward feeling". When we get an article about something meaningful, I'll be there. Otherwise, this is starting to look like OprahNOW.
I guess UNC
Mon, 12/27/2010 - 15:44 — bwstephensonwill have to rejigger their line-up.
He was probably counting on
Mon, 12/27/2010 - 15:21 — ProwlingWoofieHe was probably counting on that tutor.... What a bummer !
WOW! an attitude from a team
Mon, 12/27/2010 - 15:33 — hellfishWOW! an attitude from a team ranked #79 in recruiting...behind Duke!..what a bummer!
really?!
Mon, 12/27/2010 - 17:01 — swisspfauBasing an argument on recruiting rankings is the softest ledge I've ever seen anyone stand on. If UNC were to perform based on it's recruiting ranking it'd be in the top 10 every year for the past 5+ years. That's how much value is in recruiting rankings and how much value is in your weak argument.....none.
False
Mon, 12/27/2010 - 17:30 — Heels20We have not had a top 10 recruiting class every year for the past "5+ years." Don't run your mouth about something when you have no idea what you're talking about.
OK here's the truth...
Mon, 12/27/2010 - 17:52 — chrisefawUNC has had a top 25 recruiting class 5 out of the past 6 years. 2006 = 15, 2007 = 11, 2008 = NR, 2009 = 13, 2010 = 24, 2011 = 13. My question is this...what do you have to show for it? With recruiting classes like that you're supposed to have something to show for it. If you believe in recruiting rankings, UNC has done less with more. *ESPN.com used for rankings, won't let me link*
Good for NFL prospects, not great for fans?
Tue, 12/28/2010 - 15:32 — piedmontbluesDavis has been successful in recruiting because he has shown he can prepare players to get drafted by the NFL. That doesn't always translate into wins, however. So he may keep getting guys to play at Carolina, but if the Heels keep winning no more than 7 or 8 games a year (and are in the NCAA cross-hairs constantly), you'd think the fan/alum base might eventually get impatient.
Or look at it this way: We could pay somebody a lot less than $2.3 million a year for these results.
The thing of it is
Tue, 12/28/2010 - 19:26 — gvillegatrUNC would have been a heck of a lot better this season had they not gotten in trouble like so many other schools didn't.
Am I wrong about my main point or my underlying point !?
Chrisefaw
Mon, 12/27/2010 - 23:10 — gvillegatrReferring to your "five out of six years." You can't refer to a recruiting ranking for 2011 and include it considering UNC hasn't even played next year yet. Not even done with this year !
I'll take #79 if...
Mon, 12/27/2010 - 22:04 — peetiepupI'll take the #79 recruiting class every year if it means:
not having record breaking levels of NCAA violations,
or admitting jocks dumb as rocks who need hypertutorization, like maybe Elsly,
or having a coach that beats the Heels every year and is now going 8-4 for the season,
or getting to a better bowl with a coach having integrity, (like Tom O'B).
Happy New Year, heels fans. Enjoy your bowl, being it could very well be the last bowl for UNC for awhile.
Also, Phillip Rivers set all those records with merely an average ACC offensive line. And posting on UNC stories is occasionally more fun than posting on our own NCSU stories. Not usually, but this time yes.
Well
Mon, 12/27/2010 - 19:33 — Heels20When half your starters are suspended, it's kind of hard to win a national championship. Sad that I actually had to explain that to someone.
Hard to believe you actually
Mon, 12/27/2010 - 23:13 — ProwlingWoofieHard to believe you actually posted that...
Nice
Tue, 12/28/2010 - 00:25 — Heels20Bring some more of that creativity my way
Touting your recruiting rank -LAME
Mon, 12/27/2010 - 15:55 — JustonevoteJeez, that's all you got to cling to -a recruiting ranking - -Big Joke -yeah you got a 2.3 million dollar recruiter - now if you just get a coach...............
BTW-don't forget what TOB has done with lesser recruits anyway (4-0).
Happy New Year Hellfish