UNC-Rutgers Postgame Notes

September 2, 2006 | Football

By: UNC Athletic Communications

Sept. 2, 2006

Recap | Final Stats | Quotes | Photo Gallery

NORTH CAROLINA POSTGAME NOTES
NORTH CAROLINA VS. RUTGERS
SEPT. 2, 2006

• Junior QB Joe Dailey made his first start at Carolina, and went 24 for 36 for 234 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. He also ran for 38 yards on eight carries, including his fifth career rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter (the first four came at Nebraska).

• Dailey was 19 for 25 for 176 yards in the second half today, including connecting of 15 of his first 16 attempts in the half. Dailey was 9 for 11 for 82 yards on UNC's fourth-quarter touchdown drive that cut the Rutgers lead to 21-16.

• Receivers Brooks Foster and Hakeem Nicks entered Saturday's game with zero career catches but finished with 18 grabs for 183 yards against Rutgers. Foster finished with 11 catches for 120 yards, while Nicks went for 7 catches for 63 yards and a two-yard touchdown.

• Foster's 11 catches mark first time a Tar Heel has had 10 catches in a game since Jarwarski Pollock caught 11 passes against NC State in 2003. Foster had six catches for 54 yards in UNC's fourth-quarter TD-scoring drive that cut the lead to 21-16. His 11 catches are the most ever by a Carolina sophomore in a game.

• Ray Rice's 201 yards rushing are the most Carolina has allowed since Mike Imoh of Virginia Tech went for 243 in 2004.

• Senior safety Kareen Taylor made his second career fumble recovery and first since the 2004 win over NC State in the second quarter. Senior linebacker Larry Edwards was credited with his fourth career sack and fourth career forced fumble on the play.

• Sophomore Connor Barth's 47-yard field goal was longer than any kick he made in 2005 (45 yards was his longest) and marked the second longest of his career. Barth made a 50-yarder against NC State in 2004.

• True freshmen Hakeem Nicks, Ryan Taylor and Wesley Flagg all saw their first career action against Rutgers. Nicks made his first career catch in the first quarter, while Taylor and Flagg played on special teams.

• Redshirt freshman fullback Bobby Rome also saw his first action and was on the receiving end of Joe Dailey's first completion as a Tar Heel in the first quarter.

• Nine players made their first starts as Tar Heels Saturday: QB Joe Dailey, FB Nick Starcevic, WR Hakeem Nicks, C Scott Lenahan, RG Calvin Darity and RT Garrett Reynolds on offense; and DE Hilee Taylor, LB Mark Paschal and LB Chase Rice on defense.