University of North Carolina Athletics
Furman Game Guide
September 12, 2006 | Football
Sept. 12, 2006
By Lauren Brownlow
Every Tuesday, check TarHeelBlue.com for the latest edition of the Game Guide, which provides all the information you need to get ready for gameday.
The Basics
Carolina looks to rebound from a tough loss to Virginia Tech against the Division I-AA Furman Paladins this week. It's a night game, so fans should show up and enjoy what should be a beautiful fall evening for football in Chapel Hill.
Game Time: Furman at North Carolina, 7:00 PM, ESPNU
Carolina's game notes can be here.
Last Time: On October 30, 1999, the Carolina defense allowed 301 first-half yards on the way to a humiliating 28-3 defeat. The loss was Carolina's first to a Division I-AA opponent since a 1978 loss to Richmond, and the Furman Paladins had not beaten a Division I-A opponent since 1985 (NC State). The loss dropped the Heels to 1-7.
Gameday Weather: Check the local weather forecast before heading for the game.
Injury Report: Backup tight end Richard Quinn broke his shoulder blade in practice the Tuesday before the Rutgers game and will be out 8-12 weeks. Trimane Goddard re-fractured his surgically repaired foot in the fall and was lost for the season.
Radio Coverage: Tar Heel Sports Network coverage begins at 6:00. The radio broadcast is also available on XM Channel 192 at 7:00. Since it's a home game, the Tar Heel Sports Network broadcast can be heard on XM.
TV Coverage: The game will be shown on ESPNU.
Game week TV/radio coverage: John Bunting Live airs Thursday night at 7 and the John Bunting TV show airs Saturday morning at 9 a.m. on FOX Sports.
Storylines
Taking advantage of opportunities: Despite 268 total yards of offense and 16 first downs, the Carolina offense managed only three points. Three of Carolina's 15 drives began in Virginia Tech territory, resulting in one field goal, a three-and-out, and an interception. Even when Carolina could move the ball, drives would often stagnate on successive incomplete passes or rushes for no gain. On a key possession towards the end of the game, the Carolina offense got the ball at their own 39-yard line and managed to go four-and-out, turning the ball over on downs.
"Probably the most disappointing thing to me was for the second week in a row we can't pick up a yard (on fourth and short)," John Bunting said. "If we had made a couple of plays that we had opportunities to make in the game yesterday, we'd be sitting with another `W' against a ranked a team. It comes down to one thing--score when we have the opportunity."
According to Frank Cignetti, 17 is the number of opportunities for a big play that the Carolina offense squandered. Four interceptions were just part of the problem. Wide open receivers were often either missed completely with bad passes or not seen by Sexton or Dailey.
"We have to do a better job of functioning out there in the pocket, knowing where to go with the ball, what coverage it is, what you saw pre-snap and then post-snap," Coach Bunting said. "Make better decisions, make better throws. It's usually both."
Defense: Despite technically allowing 35 points, the Carolina defense showed that it has improved tremendously against a very good Virginia Tech team. The Hokies' offense had five fumbles (three lost), was 2-of-10 on third down conversions and managed only 224 yards. Two of Virginia Tech's scoring drives began on the Carolina 1-yard line after an interception and a blocked punt, and another Hokie touchdown was scored off an interception return. The other two touchdowns were scored with Virginia Tech starting field positions of their own 45-yard line and the North Carolina 42-yard line. After a lot of confusion, missed assignments and humiliation last week, Larry Edwards and the Carolina defense seem to have turned it around.
"All this week in practice, we made sure we knew our assignments, and made sure we did the little things," Edwards said. "We made sure we went over our techniques and assignments over and over again. It's when you get people out of their assignments and out of their gaps that you give up big plays. Today we knew what we were doing; we were prepared."
Running game: Senior tailback Ronnie McGill is finally healthy, but Carolina fans continue to scratch their heads as to why he isn't getting more reps. He has only 24 attempts for 109 yards and one reception for 5 yards so far in 2006. Backup Barrington Edwards has 21 attempts for 76 yards and three receptions for 16 yards. McGill attributed his limited carries in the Rutgers game--14--to cramping, but had only 10 carries against Virginia Tech.
"We started going to the pass offense where the running back wasn't protecting and he would just run out for routes," McGill said. "Barrington runs routes really well, so they just put him in the game instead of me.
"I would have liked to have (had more carries), but you have to give them (Virginia Tech) credit; they took us out of our running game early," McGill said. "So, if we have to throw the ball to try and get a win, then that's what we have to do."
Since Carolina has long been anticipating a healthy McGill returning to lead the Carolina rushing attack, his lack of carries is surprising. Furman's run defense is less stout than Virginia Tech's, so it will be very telling to see how many carries McGill has and if he is able to establish a rhythm.
At The Game
Listening to the Tar Heel Sports Network at the game: WCHL 1360 is the local affiliate.
Parking/construction update: Plan to arrive early at Kenan Stadium this Saturday, and take note of parking and pedestrian route changes. The changes are significant and all fans should plan to add some time to their pregame routine in order to arrive in time for kickoff.
Pregame activities: Tar Heel Town opens Saturday at 4:00, and the Tar Heels will make the Old Well Walk at 4:45.
Postgame activities: To avoid dealing with the inevitable traffic jam that comes with 60,000 people trying to leave Chapel Hill at the same time, consider taking part in some of the expanded postgame activities at Kenan Stadium. Fans who stay at Kenan after the game is over will enjoy live coverage of John Bunting's postgame press conference and the complete Tar Heel Sports Network postgame show.
Watching At Home
Turn down the sound: If you're watching at home while listening to the radio or over the computer via Carolina All-Access, there will inevitably be some delay. For the reason - and a possible solution - click here.
A full list of THSN affiliates can be found here.
ESPNU coverage: The game will be available on ESPNU, where that channel is available.
Names To Know
Jacoby Watkins: The senior cornerback has quietly become the team's leading tackler with 12 solo stops and one assist. Watkins struggled a bit in the Rutgers loss, with most of his tackles coming as a result of the Rutgers offense looking to exploit him. But he turned it around against the Hokies, notching seven tackles, one assist, and two passes broken up. He is the only Heel to break up a pass this season. With Watkins continuing to improve, he is emerging as yet another effective defensive leader in the Carolina secondary that currently sits atop the ACC in pass defense.
Durell Mapp/linebackers: Durell Mapp's return from injury this week was a big reason for the improved linebacker play, as was Victor Worsley taking over the starting job at the MIKE linebacker position. Mapp, Worsley and Larry Edwards combined for 7 solo stops, two assists, one tackle for loss, one quarterback hit and one fumble recovery. Though not overwhelming numbers, the intangibles that Mapp and Worsley bring are undeniable.
"I'm really pleased that Victor Worsley played like that for us," Bunting said. "And it's good to get Durell (Mapp) out on the field. We expect Victor and Durell to play well. They've been in the program a long time."
Connor Barth: The junior Wilmington native knows better than most that people only notice field goal kickers when they miss. After starting out 3-of-11 in 2005, Barth heard the fans grumble, even after an 8-of-10 finish to end the year. But Barth has shown that his struggles last season seem to be behind him. He has already connected on a 47-yarder against Rutgers (his longest since a 50-yarder against NC State in 2004) and a 46-yarder against Virginia Tech, which were the only points of the game for the Carolina offense until the final minutes. If Carolina can remain turnover-free in the red zone but still can't punch it in, Barth will likely get more tries and will need to make them.
Cedrick Gipson/Jerome Felton: Thunder and lightning, part two? Gipson is no Ray Rice and Felton no Justin Leonard, but The Sports Network ranked the duo as the No. 2 backfield in Division I-AA football before the season. Felton, a junior fullback, led the team in rushing last year with 940 yards on 182 carries (5.2 yards per carry) and 18 touchdowns. His counterpart Gipson, a junior, had 713 yards on 124 carries (5.8 yards a carry) and four touchdowns. The duo has already combined this year for 350 yards rushing and three touchdowns. The Heels' run defense showed signs of improvement last week, but Brandon Ore still made it to the end zone three times and used some big gains late in the game to tally 111 yards.
Furman defense: The reason no one individual on the Furman defense is named is because they play like one unit. Last week against West Georgia, the Furman defense had 4 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, one safety, and allowed only 110 total yards. Out of 22 defensive players that saw action, 17 had at least one solo stop. The Paladins' defense shut out the West Georgia offense in a 24-7 victory, with West Georgia's only points coming off of a Furman fumble. A struggling Tar Heel offense looking to gain some confidence might find a bit of a roadblock in this defense.
Lauren Brownlow is the managing editor of Tar Heel Monthly.
