University of North Carolina Athletics
Tate Named Progress Energy Performer Of The Week
November 27, 2006 | Football
Nov. 27, 2006
Brandon Tate became the third Tar Heel in history to return both a kickoff and punt for touchdowns in the same game in UNC's 45-44 win at Duke and is the Progress Energy Performer of the Week for November 20-26, 2006.
A sophomore from Burlington, Tate returned a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown and a punt 54 yards for a touchdown. It was Tate's second kickoff return for a touchdown this season and third of his career, which are both school records. He had a 96-yarder vs. Utah in 2005 and a 90-yarder at Notre Dame earlier this season. The 97-yarder today equals the third-longest in school history. Marcus Wall set the previous record with two career kickoff returns. Tate joins Charlie Justice (vs. Florida in 1946) and Eric Blount (vs. William & Mary in 1991) as the only Carolina players to ever return a punt and kickoff for a touchdown in the same game.
Tate's two kickoff returns for touchdowns ties the ACC single-season record. The most recent person to accomplish the feat was Clemson's Justin Miller in 2004. Tate had three touchdowns on kick returns this season (2 kickoffs, 1 punt). That breaks the school record of two previously held by eight players. The most recent was Bosley Allen (2 punts in 2000).
Other Nominees:
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Erlana Larkins
Junior, Forward
Riviera Beach, Fla.
Erlana Larkins scored in double figures three times, including a double-double in the championship game, to earn MVP honors at the Rainbow Wahine Classic in Honolulu. Larkins scored 21 points in a 99-38 quarterfinal win over Sacramento State, the largest margin of victory in the 28-year history of the tournament. The junior forward added 19 points and six boards in a 101-63 win over Gonzaga in the semis. She saved her best performance for the title game, pouring in 17 points and collecting 12 rebounds in a 94-69 win over Arkansas. Larkins shot 73 percent (22 for 30) from the field over the three games.
NIKKI WASHINGTON
Women's Soccer
Freshman
Mesquite, Texas
The freshman midfielder scored her third career goal and it proved to be the game winner as the No. 1 Tar Heels rallied twice from one-goal deficits to beat Texas A&M 3-2 in the NCAA quarterfinals. Carolina heads to the College Cup for the 23rd time in 25 years but the first time since 2003. Washington's goal came in the 74th minute as she pounced on a loose ball on right side of the box near the endline and one-timed a shot into the far side netting for the game winner. Washington also saved the game-tying goal from being scored with less than 20 seconds in the game as she retreated to the line and cleared a ball away that was headed into an empty Tar Heel net.
Players Mentioned
