University of North Carolina Athletics
Game Day Live with Lee Pace
September 30, 2000 | Football
Sept. 30, 2000
"Game Day Live with Lee Pace" returns this afternoon and for all of Carolina's home football games throughout the 2000 season.
Lee Pace, long-time editor and publisher of Extra Points, will be online from the press box to provide commentary on the game as well as to answer your questions via email to tarheelblue@uncaa.unc.edu .
So while you listen to the game with Woody and Mick on the Tar Heel Sports Network, be sure to also log on to TarHeelBlue.com and join Lee Pace for his analysis, commentary and a chance to have your very own questions answered on TarHeelBlue.com.
FIRST QUARTER
Lee Pace: Fans, we're live here from Kenan Stadium on a beautiful afternoon in Chapel Hill. The Yellow Jackets have just kicked off to Carolina to start the game. Keep up with the big game right here on TarHeelBlue and email me your questions throughout the afternoon.
LP: Well, the Tar Heels are on the board at 11:53 of the first. Ronald Curry connected on a seven-yard touchdown pass to Sam Aiken. Carolina leads 7-0. This could be the day for an offensive explosion for the Tar Heels. They definitely have the skill players and after last week's game they have some confidence that they haven't had in a long, long time. This opening drive, 82 yards on seven plays to open the game, will improve that confidence even more.
LP: Let's get to a few questions. John Delk, Class of '61, asked about special teams and whether the Tar Heels have a "Twelfth Man" or anyone else who stands out on special teams. John, Carolina really doesn't have a tradition like Texas A&M of getting walk-ons from the student body, but the kick coverage team and all the special teams are definitely a place for the non-starters to see some action. A perfect example was a big hit by Clay Roberson, a backup linebacker, on Carolina's opening kickoff following the touchdown. Kitwana Jones is another player who's made some real big hits already this year for the Tar Heels.
LP: Question from Nate Parkinson from Caldwell, Ohio on whether Carolina will get back into the Top 25 and a bowl game this year. Absolutely. I think they'll do both. The ACC has five bowl tie-ins, so the next three games are very crucial. This whole homestand is a very important stretch for Carolina. If the Tar Heels can go 3-1 or better, it would be an excellent first half of the season and it would put them in place to get back into the polls and become a part of the bowl picture.
LP: One thing that is standing out right now in the first quarter, is Carolina's obvious improvement on defense from a year ago. For one, the speed of Michael Waddell at cornerback was evident on Tech's last drive, with Waddell picking up a reverse play quick and chasing down Nate Curry before he could get anywhere. The improved strength of the front line is also very evident. Ryan Sims went right by the center just now on an important third down for GT, and Sims got a sack to end the Yellow Jacket drive.
LP: Another very good defensive series for the Tar Heels. With Tech starting with solid field position in Carolina territory, the Carolina D made a big three-and-out stop that resulted in a missed field 47-yard Tech field goal. You have to note that two of the three good defensive stops on the series were by Waddell and Spoon, two guys Carolina obviously didn't have last year.
SECOND QUARTER
LP: Bill Gray in Charlotte is watching at home and has asked about Carolina's offensive approach today. He mentioned that Carolina seems to be running a lot of plays out of the shotgun. Bill, I think you're right. I think what we've seen is that as the offense continues to develop and get better, that Ronald feels very comfortable out of the shotgun and it gives a player with his athletic ability plenty of room to work. We'll keep an eye on that throughout the game.
LP: After some very solid Carolina defense throughout the first quarter of the game for the Tar Heels, Tech has pulled even at 9:07 of the second at 7-7. It was a nine-play, 75-yard, 3:45 second scoring series that culminated with a Kelly Campbell TD reception. Carolina went from being deep in Tech territory with a chance to score, to a big momentum swing on an interception and a long drive to tie the game by Georgia Tech. It could have been 14-0, and now we're at 7-7.
LP: Kevin Jenkins in Winston-Salem has emailed in a question about Brandon Russell and his effectiveness thus far this afternoon as the starting tailback. Kevin, Brandon has really run the ball well. He's shown some speed and he's caught a couple of passes which makes him a versatolie back. He and Andre Williams are both playing well today and continue to improve. Williams is also getting some carries and he's been equally impressive.
LP: Just when the game's momentum started looked like it might swing, Carolina jumped back on top 14-7 with a six-play, 86-yard scoring drive in 3:08. Curry connected with Alge Crumpler on a 59-yard TD pass which was set up on a play-action fake to Russell. It's a running play Carolina has run already a few times, then Curry spun, rolled out to the left and Crumpler made a quick check block and then released over the middle to be wide open. Curry, already 8-of-12 for 210 yards, is over 200 yards passing for the third straight game.
LP: Tech has answered with an impressive drive of its own to tie the game 14-14 with 41 seconds remaining in the second quarter. The Tech scoring drive was 13 plays, 81 yards in 5:18.
LP: Jay Exum has emailed us a great question about the offense. With a few different parts to his question, Jay has asked about the different with this year's offense as compared to that of last year and of the impact Mike O'Cain has made as the new offensive coordinator.
Jay, the primary reason Carolina has a better offense this year over last year is that it simply has better players. Ronald Curry is older and better than a year ago, and of course he's in the lineup whereas last year he missed half the season. The Tar Heels have some true speed at tailback this year and in the wide receivers unit, Bosley Allen, Sam Aiken and Jamal Jones were either hurt, too young or being red-shirted to make the impact they are making this year on offense. The O-line is also more athletic overall than last year's, all of which gives -- whoever the caoches are -- a lot more to work with.
Having said all that, I think Mike O'Cain's scheme is more battle-proven, more varied and more interesting than what the Tar Heels had done the last two years. Plus, four of the five offensive coaches know each other and/or have worked with each other in the past, which is very important. The staff of the last two year's, in contrast, had five coaches with almost no prevous experience working together. The result of this is a much more cohesive, high-powered offense. Thanks for the question Jay.
And with that, we've come to the half, with the gme tied 14-14. Check back for halftime stats and more questions and answers in the second half.
HALFTIME QUICKIE STATS
Total Offense: GT 193, UNC 271
Rushing Yards: GT 17-37, UNC 18-61
Passing Yards: Godsey (GT) 14-of-18, 156 yards and 0 interceptions
Curry (UNC) 8-of-13, 210 yards and 1 interception
UNC Highlights
Russell: 9 carries, 34 yards
Williams: 6 carries, 33 yards
Bosley Allen: 2 catches, 54 yards
Russell: 2 catches, 28 yards
Crumpler: 1 catch, 59 yards, TD
THIRD QUARTER
LP: Rob Futch has emailed in a question on Sam Aiken. He says "When I look at the box scores and stats I see that Sam Aiken is piling up some decent stats for a back up, and a young one at that. Are the Tar Heels doing a receiver-by-committee thing or are these guys just that close in talent that there's not that much difference between the bunch?" Rob, when the Tar Heels are in a two-wide set, Kory Bailey and Bosley Allen are the starters, but Aiken is the third receiver in a three-wide set, of which the Tar Heels are using a lot. Carolina has almost a five-man committee at WR, with Aiken, Allen, Bailey, Jones and even QB Antwon Black, who is being used on occassional four-wide situations. Needless to say, the Heels are definitely loaded at wode receiver.
Rob also asked if Aiken has been used at all on defense, which he has not.
LP: Tech now leads for the first time, 21-14, after a fumbled punt attempt by Blake Ferguson. Tech recovered the ball at the UNC 12-yard line and took just three plays to put it in the end zone. 9:46 remains in the third.
LP: Jason Lakeland from Charleston, S.C., asks what Tech has done to turn the momentum of this game and get a lead after Carolina had looked to be in control throughout the majority of the first half. Two big mistakes have certainly hurt. A chop block penalty stalled Carolina's drive to start the second half, while a fumbled snap by punter Blake Ferguson led to tremendous field position inside the Carolina 15 for Georgia Tech. Now, as I speak, a blocked punt gives Tech a two touchdown advantage and the momentum has now definitely shifted to Tech.
LP: In a game that now is going back and forth, Curry connected with Kory Bailey on a 78-yard touchdown pass and Tech's lead is cut to 28-21. So far, Carolina is winning it's offensive battle, but losing the defense and kicking game. As good as Carolina's kicking game has been, that's the part that has been very surprising. The Tar Heels have committed an assortment of errors today there. As explosive as this offense is though, anything can happen over the next 20 minutes of playing time.
LP: We have an injury update to report. Kory Bailey injured his right hamstring on his big touchdown catch and will not return to the game.
LP: Britt Longley in Alexandria, Va., has emailed us and questioned Ronald Curry's two interceptions. He asks "whether Curry is trying to force the pass or whether his receivers are to blame." In last week's game, one interception he tried to force and one he did not get any help from his receiver in fighting the defender off. Moments ago, I think Ronald was definitely trying to squeeze the ball in to Anthony Saunders at the goal line where he didn't have much of a play.
FOURTH QUARTER
Georgia Tech 28, UNC 21
LP: Well, after failing to get an interception in its first four games, Michael Waddell just picked off Carolina's second of the afternoon. Errol Hood had the first late in the third quarter. Ken Browning said this week that turnovers could start to come in bunches, and fortunately for Carolina that has happened in this second half. That was a long pass, so that wasn't a whole lot different than a long punt, but not the crowd is back into the game and momentum perhaps shifted again to Carolina's favor. This drive is where Carolina has to get in the endzone.
LP: Tie ball game. Ronald Curry just ran for a 46-yard touchdown on a quarterback draw to tie the game 28-28. It was a great play call, great execution for Curry. The Tar Heels were in four-wide and so there was plenty of open space in the middle of the field for him to run the ball. Everyone was looking for pass and them middle was just wide open. This is obviously Ronald's best game as a college quarterback. He has a career-high passing and he's running the ball. He's led the offense well today.
LP: Folks, I have to wrap it up from here, as Tech as just pulled back ahead with a fourth-down touchdown run from the goal line with 4:02 remaining in the game. Stay tuned to the TV or radio as Carolina will make a run to tie the game up.
Thanks for the great questions. I enjoyed it today. Check back to TarHeelBlue on Monday for Extra Points.
Players Mentioned
