University of North Carolina Athletics
Ronald Curry Leads Tar Heels in Football Scrimmage
August 21, 1999 | Football
Aug. 21, 1999
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Sophomore quarterback Ronald Curry completed 10 of 12 passes for 228 yards and two touchdowns as the University of North Carolina held its second team football scrimmage Saturday afternoon at Kenan Stadium. Rufus Brown and Daniel Davis added two rushing touchdowns apiece to help lead the offense.
"I thought I saw a lot of good things today from our first offense," head coach Carl Torbush said. "I thought Curry and (Luke) Huard threw the ball exceptionally well. I also felt like our receivers as a group ? especially Kory Bailey ? caught it well and ran well after the catch. Jason Peace also showed a couple of nice runs."
On the first series of the scrimmage, Curry was 3 of 5 for 52 yards, and he connected with Greg Harris for a 23-yard touchdown strike. Rufus Brown, who finished the afternoon with 38 yards on the ground, then scored on runs of 18 and eight yards. Anthony Saunders added a three-yard TD run before Curry connected with Bailey for a 49-yard touchdown pass, one of the sophomore wide receiver?s five catches for 142 yards. Davis, who ran nine times for 93 yards, closed the scoring with touchdown runs of 10 and 54 yards.
"Our two young running backs (Davis and Willie Parker) made some good runs at the end," Torbush said. "That was against our younger talent on defense, but athletic ability is athletic ability. Rufus Brown also made some nice runs early, and the guy who made some nice cuts and really caught my eye was Anthony Saunders."
"Last week my elbow was a little sore, but I felt real good coming into today," Curry said after the one and one half hour scrimmage. "The receivers were where they?re supposed to be, and I put the ball where it?s supposed to be. The offense just clicked."
Defensively, linebackers Tim Burgess and Merceda Perry each recorded five tackles to lead the way, while Brandon Spoon and Quinton Savage were both held out of the scrimmage with minor leg strains. Perry, along with Quincy Monk and Shawn Woodard, also recorded a quarterback sack. Antwon Black and Ian Alexander both recorded interceptions.
"The first defense did well," Torbush said. "We did a lot of mixing and matching. I thought our young defensive backs got a little tired and got beat a few times, but it was a good experience for them. It's the only way we?re going to get better at that position."
The Tar Heels will enjoy a day of rest from the practice field on Sunday as they will hold their Fan Appreciation Day at 2:30 p.m. at Kenan Stadium.
