University of North Carolina Athletics
Turner's Take: Far From Mediocre
October 14, 2011 | Football, Featured Writers, Turner Walston
Oct. 14, 2011
With all the excitement this weekend in Carolina athletics, it's important to remember that the 5-1 football Tar Heels play host to 2-3 Miami in a crucial ACC Coastal Division game. The Tar Heels are looking for their second win in conference play, while Miami desperately needs a win to avoid an 0-3 ACC start. Saturday's matchup promises to provide high drama.
By this point in the season, injuries are a fact of life for any college football team. The Tar Heels are no different. Carolina will likely be without a pair of seniors: kicker Casey Barth and center Cam Holland. In their stead, Thomas Moore and Russell Bodine, respectively, will be called upon once again. Middle linebacker Kevin Reddick's status for Saturday is questionable, as are tailback A.J. Blue and safety Jonathan Smith. All are dealing with ankle injuries. Linebacker Ebele Okakpu, who missed last weekend's game against Louisville with a sprained ankle, returns to the lineup this weekend.
After suffering a finger injury in training camp, sophomore cornerback Jabari Price missed the first four games of the 2011 season. Price said redshirting was perhaps on the table, but he had the "urge" to play this season, and could not deny it. "When you have the urge to play, you can't fight that," Price said this week. "Most guys don't really have that urge, but I just had it. I just knew I had to come back as soon as possible and play with my teammates."
Price returned in time for Carolina's trip to East Carolina two weeks ago. He played on special teams and in limited duty in the defensive backfield, recording five tackles and a pass break-up. Price said while watching the team from the sidelines, he saw areas in which he could contribute. "Whether I came back and played special teams, or whether I came back and played center, it didn't matter," he said. "I just wanted to play."
For his efforts, Price returned to a starting role in the secondary for last week's game against Louisville. His return shifted Tre Boston back to safety. Price had four tackles, including one for loss, against the Cardinals.
Now that he's healthy, the sophomore has turned his attention to national respect for his team. While he's said that "being ranked is not a big deal to me," Price has noted that the 5-1 Tar Heels are ranked behind other teams with one or more losses. With six games - all in the Atlantic Coast Conference - to play, Price said now is the time for the Tar Heels to earn the respect they want. "We've got to get it done. In order to make a statement to the world, we have to show up at the end of the season. Right here, right now."
Carolina's next win will make them bowl-eligible for the fourth consecutive season. But the last three Tar Heel teams are a combined 6-7 after reaching bowl eligibility, and Price is not content to repeat that feat. "We got tired of trying to be 8-5. Eight and five is almost like a mediocre performance, and this team is far from mediocre so we're kind of shooting for the stars this year."
Meanwhile, sophomore quarterback Bryn Renner said the team would continue to take the season one game at at time. "Rankings don't matter right now," Renner said. "There's a ton of football left out there, and I'd [rather] be ranked at the end of the season that right now. I'll definitely have a chat with that young man," he joked of Price.
Briefly:
•With Barth out and Reddick questionable, Carolina named three additional captains for the week. Sophomore defensive end Kareem Martin, junior left guard Jonathan Cooper and senior linebacker Zach Brown were honored.
How have prior captains fared in their games?
S Matt Merletti vs. James Madison: Had three tackles, two of them unassisted. Combined with Zach Brown on a tackle for loss on JMU's first play from scrimmage. Forced a JMU fumble in the third quarter.
Cooper vs. Rutgers: Helped pave the way for 405 yards of total offense. Had a solo tackle after a Rutgers fumble recovery
DB Pete Mangum vs. Virginia: Appeared on kickoff teams. Had a tackle on kickoff return after penalty pushed the kickoff back to the Carolina 15. The tackle combined with a holding penalty forced Virginia to start at their 22.
LB Dion Guy at Georgia Tech: Did not record a stat.
DE Quinton Coples at East Carolina: Five tackles, one solo, credited on half a sack for a loss of four yards.
DT Sylvester Williams vs. Louisville: Six tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, one pass break-up.
Merletti vs. Louisville: Three tackles.
WR Dwight Jones vs. Louisville: Four catches, 91 yards, one touchdown.
Turner Walston is the managing editor of Tar Heel Monthly. Turner's weekly Tar Heel football podcast, The Walkthrough, is available on iTunes.
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