University of North Carolina Athletics
UNC-Boston College Postgame Notes
November 5, 2005 | Football
Nov. 5, 2005
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NORTH CAROLINA POSTGAME NOTES • VS. BOSTON COLLEGE • NOV. 5, 2005
• Carolina has posted two straight home wins over ranked opponents for the first time since back-to-back wins over No. 16 Virginia and No. 19 Georgia Tech in 1992. The Tar Heels downed No. 23 Virginia on Oct. 22 and No. 19 Boston College today.
• Carolina's last two wins, including today against BC, have been by just two points (7-5 over Virginia and 16-14 vs. BC). The last time Carolina's margin in two straight wins was by two points or less in each game was a Nov. 24, 1984 win over Duke (17-15) and a Sept. 7, 1985 win over Navy (21-19).
• Today marked the fourth straight game in which the Tar Heels have held time of possession for more than 30 minutes. Carolina had the ball for 34:04, which is only the fourth-highest figure this season for UNC. The Tar Heels have had at least 30 minutes in possession six times in eight games this year and had another game with 29:35.
• The Tar Heels were 9 of 18 on third down conversions, including 5 for 9 in the second half. 50 percent conversion rate is the highest this year for the Tar Heels. UNC was 7 for 16 (.438) against both Georgia Tech and Utah, the previous best marks this year.
• Wallace Wright returned the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown, giving the Tar Heels two opening kickoff returns for scores in the same season for the first time in school history. Earlier this season, Brandon Tate took the opening kick 96 yards against Wisconsin.
• Wright's kickoff return for a score marked the third time in UNC history the Tar Heels have returned TWO kickoffs for touchdowns in the same season. In 2003, Mike Mason (Maryland) and Michael Waddell (Wisconsin) scored on kick returns, while Tyrell Godwin (Stanford) and Kory Bailey (Georgia Tech) did so in 1998.
• Junior receiver Jesse Holley notched career-bests of eight catches for 125 yards. He has at least four catches in four straight games and leads Carolina this season with 35 grabs for 480 yards. Holley also had six catches at Miami last week. This was the first time in his career Holley had 100 receiving yards in a game. His previous yardage high was 90 vs. Wisconsin earlier this year.
• Senior quarterback Matt Baker passed for over 100 yards for the first time since the Oct. 8 Louisville loss. He connected on 20 of 32 pass attempts for 211 yards. Baker's fourth quarter interception was his first in 58 attempts, the longest stretch of his career. The 20 completions are a career-best for Baker.
• Connor Barth connected on three field goals for his first successful tries since the Oct. 1 Utah win. The three made field goals were a season high for Barth, who had missed his last three attempts - all from more than 44 yards. The 44-yarder in the second half was the longest of the season for Barth. Barth came into today's game with three made field goals in the first seven weeks.
• Senior Tommy Davis recorded two sacks, giving the Tar Heels 21 on the season - the most since the 2001 team, led by first-round NFL draftees Julius Peppers and Ryan Sims, notched 26.
• Carolina's 7:41 drive in the second quarter that resulted in a 22-yard Connor Barth field goal was the Tar Heels' longest of the season in terms of time. The previous long was a 6:18 drive at Louisville.
• Sophomore Bryan Bethea made his first career start at cornerback. He had seven tackles and a pass breakup.
• Freshman fullback Nick Starcevic made his first career reception in the second quarter.
• This is the second time in four wins this year the Tar Heels were out-gained in total yards. Carolina beat Utah despite being out-gained, 378-352, by the Utes. Boston College had 337 yards, 27 more than the Tar Heels.
• Linebacker Larry Edwards led the Tar Heels with 10 tackles. It was the third time this year he has made 10 or more tackles in a game.
• Today marked the second game in a row the Tar Heels committed just one turnover (last week was a fumble by Matt Baker, today Baker was intercepted in the fourth quarter).
