University of North Carolina Athletics
Defense Soaks Up Victory
September 18, 2004 | Football
Sept. 18, 2004
By DAVID DROSCHAK
CHAPEL HILL - It was only fitting that North Carolina's defense got to soak up the glory in the final 12 seconds Saturday night.
After all, that unit has left the field hanging its head too many times over the last two seasons.
It was finally a different story in a 34-13 win over Georgia Tech, a game that had the fans cheering - instead of jeering - for what was the most exciting moment in Kenan Stadium since a stunning upset of Florida State in coach John Bunting's first season.
"There were no heads down today, no heads down at all," senior center Jason Brown said about the defense. "Our defense came off the field jumping and smiling from ear to ear. This gives the offense so much more confidence to know that the other half of our team is getting the job done."
"It's amazing what our defense can look like when everybody does their assignments," added defensive back Gerald Sensbaugh. "We just had that chemistry tonight."
There were plenty of defensive heroes to go around.
There was cornerback Jacoby Watkins, who fought off true freshman Trimane Goddard in practice this week, to intercept two balls against the Yellow Jackets, including one in the end zone.
There was freshman Khalif Mitchell, playing in just his third collegiate game, helping stuff Georgia Tech's super running game as P.J. Daniels was knocked out of the contest. Daniels blitzed the Tar Heels for 240 rushing yards last season in Atlanta. He managed just 52 on this night.
There was linebacker Fred Sparkman, who had an interception and a team-leading 13 tackles, but more importantly gave notice that he could be a defensive leader in the middle.
Finally, there was Hilee Taylor stripping Reggie Ball on the final play and returning it for a TD in front of the raucous student section.
"We knew we were going to have one more series so we wanted to make the best of it," Taylor said.
The defense set the tone from the start, holding Georgia Tech to field goals instead of touchdowns on its opening two drives.
"That hasn't happened a whole lot the last two years around here," said Bunting, whose program had allowed 30 or more points 22 times since Sept. 14, 2003.
However, it was Bunting who may have drawn first blood leading up to the game, putting full pads on his players for Tuesday and Wednesday practices to help create a more competitive atmosphere.
"I guess that made us tackle better," Taylor said.
No kidding.
"The message was we can do this," added Taylor. "And the end result was like a dream come true for us."
Watkins' first interception on a jump ball against Calvin Johnson was North Carolina's first pick in 11 games. His second one came in the end zone early in the fourth quarter with the Tar Heels (2-1, 1-1 ACC) holding a 28-13 lead.
``We were blitzing on that play and the ball had to come out quickly," Watkins said. "The quarterback just tried me again and I was there."
The 13 points allowed was the lowest total since giving up 10 to Auburn in the 2001 Peach Bowl.
However, it's not time to get too carried away about a unit that still allowed 393 yards, including 229 on the ground. But there were enough bright spots from younger players to give fans much more hope than many had before Saturday night's convincing victory.
"I'm much more pleased with the defense than I have been in two years," said Bunting, who was given the game ball by Brown. "Now, let's see if we can do it again. That's what this business is all about, doing it again and being consistent.
"We've still got a lot of work to do with this football team," Bunting added. "I think I've been pretty consistent in saying that."
