University of North Carolina Athletics
CAR-O-LINES: Miami Series Includes Two Historic Games
October 29, 2004 | Football
Oct. 29, 2004
by Rick Brewer, Sports Information Director Emeritus
Carolina has only played Miami seven times in football, but the series has featured two historic games for the Tar Heels.
One win helped secure a bowl berth and the other marked the beginning of a legend.
The Hurricanes will be making just their second appearance in Kenan Stadium this weekend. The two schools have not played since a 1963 showdown in Chapel Hill. Other than that meeting, all the other games have been played in the Orange Bowl.
At least two of the Miami teams Carolina has played in the past were truly outstanding ones. But, even in their era, none could match the strength of the one playing here Saturday. In recent years the only visiting teams which could probably even rival Miami's power are Texas and Florida State.
There is no need to chronicle here the success the Hurricanes have had over the last two decades. But, instead this might be a good place to look back at some of those past games, including one that signaled a change in Carolina's football history.
The two schools have not met since a series of games in the late 1950's and early 1960's.
The Tar Heels were 2-1 and ranked 18th nationally when they faced the Hurricanes in 1957. Miami was 1-1, but had beaten 11th-ranked Baylor the previous week. The Canes has dropped a narrow 7-0 decision to number 14 Houston in their opener.
Despite its national rating Carolina was considered an underdog. The Tar Heels had just upset seventh-ranked Navy the previous Saturday and many felt the team might be over-confident. Plus, Carolina had less practice time since the game, like many Miami played, was set for Friday night.
"I don't think people really know that Miami is a pretty good football team," said Tar Heel Coach Jim Tatum prior to the game. "I'm also concerned our regular practice routine has been different this week."
Carolina was not sharp offensively. Miami had a 348 to 225 edge in total yardage. But, the Tar Heels escaped, 20-13, thanks to a fourth-quarter goal line stand. The Hurricanes had first and goal at the six, but in four downs lost two yards.
Two years later a fake field goal was the big play in a 14-7 Miami victory. In 1961 Miami won 10-0. That was the beginning of a 5-0 season-ending winning streak as the Hurricanes finished 7-3, earning a trip to the Liberty Bowl.
But, it was Carolina that used a late-season win to help gain a bowl bid in 1963. The Tar Heels were 6-2 and had just lost to Clemson the previous Saturday when Miami made its first trip to Chapel Hill. Carolina needed a victory over the Hurricanes and another over Duke to get a spot in the Gator Bowl.
Miami, 3-3, was led by a pair of All-Americas -- quarterback George Mira and tackle Dan Connors.
This was a game of ball control. The Hurricanes opened the game with a nine-play, 78-yard touchdown drive. After that the Tar Heels ran 78 plays to just 52 for Miami.
"We knew how dangerous Mira was," said UNC Coach Jim Hickey afterwards. "We wanted to simply keep him off the field. I know other teams have had trouble running the ball against them. But we were able to do that in the fourth quarter when the game was on the line."
The result was a 27-16 Carolina victory. But, the game was much closer than the score would indicate. The Tar Heels had only a 20-16 lead after Mira threw a touchdown pass with 6:33 to play. That's when Carolina really went to work with its ground game.
The Tar Heels went on 73-yard touchdown drive that took 6:03 off the clock. Carolina ran the ball 13 times in 15 plays in order to kill the clock. Ken Willard had nine of those carries and scored on a one-yard run with 30 seconds left to seal the win.
"I think we could have moved the ball, but we just couldn't get it," said Miami Coach Andy Gustafon. "Willard is a great back and (Bob) Lacey is a tremendous end. We simply could not cover him."
Lacey had eight catches, while Junior Edge and Gary Black combined to complete 20 of 31 passes for 244 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Willard ran for 112 yards on 25 carries.
Still, the first meeting of the two schools in 1946 may hold an even more important spot in Tar Heel history. It was the game when Charlie Justice made his first great national showing.
Justice had opened his freshman season with 102 yards rushing against Virginia Tech, including a 68-yard touchdown run. But, he also had two punts blocked. Both led directly to touchdown as VPI stunned the heavily favored Tar Heels with a 14-14 tie.
Despite his great run there were actually questions about Justice for the first time. Were the blocked kicks in tight situations an indication that maybe his big buildup really was not justified?
Miami was Carolina's next opponent. Another Friday night game disrupted the Tar Heel practice schedule, as did a 24-hour train trip to south Florida.
The Hurricanes were on their way to an 8-2 season and a regular-season Orange Bowl record crowd of over 31,000 people were on hand for the game.
Justice erased any doubts about is ability before some of those fans were seated. He returned the opening kickoff 30 yards to the 34. On third down he raced 65 yards for a touchdown sparking the Tar Heels to a 21-0 victory.
His 26-yard run in the second quarter was the key play in a 64-yard scoring drive. He added a 39-yard run in the third period and a 39-yard punt return. He finished with 163 yards on just 12 carries. A penalty nullified another touchdown run.
Despite the two blocked punts against VPI, there should have been little doubt about Justice's ability. The game with the Hurricanes simply solidified his place among the greatest players in college football.
