Primetime College Football: Tar Heels vs Hurricanes
This game goes down on the ESPN2 network and it features University of North Carolina Tar Heels takes on the University of Miami Hurricanes at Sun Life Stadium.
Head coach Butch Davis takes his Tar Heels down to Miami where they are 4-2 overall and 2-1 in the ACC. The Tar Heels continue to play solid football even though their program has been marred by allegations and suspensions from the start of the season due to players accepting improper benefits from agents. Davis has gotten his Tar Heels to win its last four games including last weekend’s 44-10 beating of Virginia. North Carolina is scoring 28 ppg while gaining 376.8 total ypg.
The Tar Heels have struggled in the running game this season as they are only generating just 125.3 ypg behind the legs of seniors Johnny White, 464 yards 4 touchdowns, and Shaun Draughn, 287 yards 4 touchdowns. As for the passing attack senior T.J. Yates, 1495 yards 11 touchdowns 1 INT, is completing 66.5 percent of throws. Senior wide receiver Zack Pianalto, 311 yards 1 touchdowns, was leading the team in the receiving department but was lost for the season last week with a broken fibula. They will now have to lean on junior wide receiver Dwight Jones, 302 yards 3 touchdowns, who exploded last week for 198 yards.
Defensively, UNC has been able to limit opponents to 19 ppg and 332.0 total ypg despite missing many key components for much of this season including Marvin Austin. The Tar Heels have excelled against the pass though this season as they have come up with 11 interceptions and just 6 passing scores allowed.
Head coach Randy Shannon also has his Hurricanes at a 4-2 overall record and 2-1 in ACC play after coming off a 28-13 victory over Duke last weekend. Miami is generating 32 ppg and 370.5 total ypg. Junior quarterback Jacory Harris, 1344 yards 11 touchdowns 9 INTs, has only completed 57.1 percent of his passes. Harris often looks to senior wide receiver Leonard Hankerson, 388 yards 6 touchdowns, when he goes to the air. The ground attack is lead by senior Damien Berry, 327 yards 3 touchdowns, and his 4.8 ypc.
Moving the ball and scoring points against the Miami defense has proven to be difficult, as the team is limiting opponents to 15 ppg and only 3.2 yards per rushing attempt. A total of 17 sacks is solid, and the Hurricanes have come up with 10 takeaways as well. Junior linebacker Sean Spence has recorded a team high 38 tackles including 8 tackles for loss is the star to watch on that side of the ball.
North Carolina owns an 8-5 series lead over Miami, which includes three straight wins over the Hurricanes.
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