Quarterbacks Play Well in Scrimmage

August 15, 2001 | Football

By: UNC Athletic Communications

Aug. 15, 2001

CHAPEL HILL, N.C.--Scrimmaging for the first time at Kenan Stadium, the University of North Carolina held its second and final two-hour intersquad scrimmage of the preseason. North Carolina's top three quarterbacks combined to complete 21 of 37 pass for 312 yards and two touchdowns.

Ronald Curry, playing mostly against the first-team defense, was 7 of 17 for 81 yards, including a 48-yard pass to Sam Aiken. Redshirt freshman Darian Durant had his best showing of the preseason, completing 11 of 16 passes for 182 yards. He completed a 25-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Kory Bailey and an 8-yard scoring dart to freshman tight end Chase Page. Durant was also the team's leading rusher with 44 yards on seven carries. Aaron Leak, another redshirt freshman who is battling for the backup quarterback position, was 3 of 4 for 49 yards.

ailey led all receivers with five catches for 80 yards. Aiken caught four passes for 72 yards and Brandon Russell, a converted tailback, grabbed three balls for 28 yards. Junior Bosley Allen did not play because of a mild ankle sprain.

Andre' Williams and Michael Harris split time at the tailback position. Williams started at tailback and had eight carries for 24 yards. Harris also had eight carries for 27 yards. Willie Parker was in Clinton attending to the death of a friend and did not scrimmage.

John Lafferty led the Tar Heel kicking game with four punts for 148 yards (37.0 avg), including a long punt of 62 yards.

"We had some good plays, some bad plays, but too many penalties," said Bunting of the Tar Heels' 13 miscues. "We had a whole mish-mash of penalties. We about covered them all. There's no reason for pre-snap penalties. It's a matter of having some poise and better execution. Overall, I was pleased with our kicking game and we've just got to continue to get better."

Notes
*Freshman Brian Chacos underwent a successful appendectomy Tuesday evening. Chacos, a 6-4, 261-pound tight end from Darien, Conn., was expected to be released from UNC Hospitals late Wednesday evening. He is expected to be out of action for 1-2 weeks.
* Offensive guard David Stevenson, who was suspended indefinitely on July 25 for conduct detrimental to the team will not return to the program. Stevenson asked for and was granted release from his scholarship.
* Injury Report - The following players did not play in the scrimmage. Bosley Allen (left ankle), Jeb Terry (right foot), Daniel Davis (mild concussion), Eric Davis (dislocated finger), Skip Seagraves (knee). Julius Peppers sufferred a hip pointer in the scrimmage and will be evaluated again on Thursday.