University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Enjoy Spring Game
April 3, 2004 | Football
April 3, 2004
Chapel Hill, N.C. ------ Sophomore tailback Ronnie McGill rushed for 79 yards to help lead the White squad to a 17-7 victory over the Blue Team in North Carolina's annual spring football game at Kenan Stadium on Saturday. Senior Jacque Lewis led all rushers with 83 yards and scored Blue's only touchdown.
"The team had a lot of fun out there today," said head coach John Bunting. "And that's what this day is all about - having fun. I saw a lot of good things out there, but we still have some things to work on next week."
unting was particularly pleased with the play of some of the young Tar Heel defensive players, including true freshman Khalif Mitchell and sophomore defensive back Kareen Taylor. Mitchell was constantly in the offensive backfield and was credited with five tackles, including a 12-yard sack. Taylor intercepted two passes and broke up two more, while posting four tackles. Sophomore Larry Edwards led all tacklers with six stops.
"The glaring weaknesses last year on defense were primarily on the perimeter - both at the defensive end position and corner," said Bunting. "We're getting those things solved."
Starting Blue quarterback Darian Durant completed all five of his pass attempts, but he played just one quarter before he was relieved by redshirt freshman Roger Heinz. Heinz completed 8 of 19 attempts for 64 yards and two interceptions. Matt Baker started for the White and was 5 of 13 for 32 yards and two interceptions. Walk-on Jared Hall also saw action and was 7 of 12 for 58 yards and one touchdown - a 1-yard pass to Adarius Bowman.
The only other touchdown in the game came on a 1-yard run by Justin Warren, who split time with each team, but ran for 55 yards on 13 carries.
Carolina will practice on Monday and Wednesday next week to close out the 2004 spring practice schedule.
Statistics
Rushing
White: McGill 8-79, Warren 10-52 (TD), Hedgecock 7-25
lue: Lewis 13-83; Warren 3-3, Cook 3-7
Passing
White: Baker 13-5-2, 32 yards, 0 TD; Hall 12-7-0, 58 yards, 1 TD
lue: Durant 5-5-0, 36, 0 TD; Heinz 18-9-2, 64 yards, 0 TD
Receiving
White: Phillips 5-34; McGill 2-10; Williams, La. 1-3; Holley 1-30, Brumett 1-5; Bowman 2-8
lue: Curry 2-21; Mitchell 3-19; Wells 1-14, Cook 1-4; Gibson 3-17; Norton 1-3; Wasserman 2-24; Lewis 1-(-2)
Attendance: 5,000
