North Carolina vs. ECU: Postgame Notes

Oct. 2, 2011

Recap | Final Stats | Photo Gallery 1 | Photo Gallery 2

North Carolina Postgame Notes vs. East Carolina
Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011 - Greenville, N.C.

Carolina outscored ECU, 14-0, in the first quarter. The Tar Heels have not allowed a first quarter touchdown this season, outscoring opponents, 42-3. Georgia Tech's field goal last week was the only score UNC has allowed in the first quarter this season.
North Carolina had three takeaways in the first quarter and four for the game, including fumble recoveries by Tre Boston and Kevin Reddick and interceptions by Tim Scott and Sylvester Williams. UNC scored on two of the four possessions following the turnovers. Scott's interception was the first of his career and gave the ball to UNC at the ECU 14-yard line. Carolina scored two plays later on an 11-yard pass from Bryn Renner to Jheranie Boyd.
Carolina did not commit a turnover for the first time this season and was +4 in turnover margin. UNC entered the game -4 for the season, ranking 100th in the country in turnover margin.
Redshirt freshman tailback Giovani Bernard rushed for 146 yards on a career-high 24 carries. He became the first UNC player to rush for 100 yards in three straight games since Natrone Means in 1992. Bernard had 102 vs. Virginia (Sept. 17) and 155 at Georgia Tech (Sept. 24). Bernard is averaging 109.6 rushing yards and has 548 yards on 78 carries.
Bernard scored his seventh rushing touchdown of the season in the second quarter, UNC's fifth game of the season. Last year, Johnny White led the team with seven rushing touchdowns while playing in nine games (missed the final four with injury). Bernard's seven rushing touchdowns are the most in a season since Ryan Houston had nine in 2009.
Carolina's 25-point halftime lead (28-3) was the largest for the Tar Heels since a 42-7 lead at halftime of the Georgia Southern game in 2009.
Sophomore quarterback Bryn Renner completed 13 of 20 pass attempts for 230 yards and a career-high four touchdowns. He is the first Tar Heel quarterback to throw four touchdowns in a game since Darian Durant vs. Syracuse in 2003. Renner is now 87 for 115 for 1,127 yards and 11 touchdowns. He has completed 75.5 percent of his passes and has a pass efficiency of 179.1.
Carolina won its seventh straight game over a non-conference opponent with tonight's 35-20 win over ECU of Conference USA. The Tar Heels have not lost to a team outside the ACC since the 2010 opener vs. LSU. UNC is 15-3 since 2008 against non-conference teams, including three wins over ECU (2009, 2010, 2011).
North Carolina won its first road game and is 4-1 for the first time since 2008. This is Carolina's first win in Greenville since a 28-17 victory in 2003. Carolina improves to 11-2-1 in the series with the Pirates.
Dwight Jones had six catches for 93 yards and two touchdowns. He now has six scores on the season, which is two more than his career total entering 2011. He is tied for 10th at UNC in single-season touchdowns receptions with five others.
Carolina scored three touchdowns on four trips into the red zone against ECU and has now scored 15 touchdowns on 18 trips this season. In 18 trips in the red zone, UNC's opponents have scored just seven touchdowns.

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University of North Carolina Athletics

Players Mentioned

Tre Boston

Darian Durant

Ryan Houston

Dwight Jones

Bryn Renner

Tim Scott

Johnny White

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