University of North Carolina Athletics
Fourth Quarter Quise
September 8, 2014 | Football
By Michael Melvin
You could say that things weren't exactly going as planned. Aided by a somewhat lifeless Tar Heel performance in the opening three quarters, the upset-hungry Aztecs of San Diego State were up 24-14 with 13:56 remaining in the game. Marquise Williams and his tested offensive line were struggling to produce any momentum and had scored the same amount of points as Carolina's defense entering the fourth quarter. The stagnation, in part due to the San Diego State defensive scheme, had left Williams and the offense disjointed and unable to maintain a consistent drive. With the first offensive series of the fourth quarter revving up, it was time for the experienced junior quarterback from Charlotte to be a playmaker and show a nervous Kenan Stadium crowd that hope still remained. It took a single phone call to change the tides.
“They started not respecting the pass game, so we knew if we took one shot they would start respecting the pass,” said Williams. “I got on the phone and said, 'Coach, can we please go up top for one time so that the guys will respect us?'”
Apparently the coach listened. And so did the history books. It only took 11 seconds to awake Williams and the sleepy Carolina offense. The momentum-shifting 91-yard touchdown pass that Williams bombed to sophomore wide receiver Mack Hollins on first down was the spark that quickly erased a game of complete frustration. The play was the longest touchdown pass by a Carolina player in Kenan Stadium history, and the third longest touchdown play in Tar Heel history.
“The safety didn't roll over to help, which is the read for the quarterbacks,” explained Hollins, “I told Quise right before the play to throw it as far as he could and take a chance, so he threw it as far as he could and I just ran to catch it.”
Following a SDSU drive that ended in a field goal, Carolina now had the ball back with 10:25 left trailing by just six. The ensuing Tar Heel drive was arguably the best of the season, combining professional execution with a much needed tempo boost. Over the next 2:24, Williams rattled off 4 passes for 65 yards and 3 rushes for 18 yards as Elijah Hood punched in a goal line score to push Carolina back into the lead. “Marquise made plays when he had to make plays. I thought second half he did a really nice job,” said Tar Heel head coach Larry Fedora. “When we got some tempo and rhythm going, we became a better offensive unit.”
The rest is history, thanks to a pair of interceptions by Brian Walker and Tim Scott that gave Carolina a four-point lead and sealed the deal with under 15 seconds left in the game. While the defensive turnovers certainly were the difference in the game, including two end zone interceptions, the fourth quarter that Williams played may have been his best quarter as a Tar Heel. Williams went 6-6 passing for 155 yards and a touchdown while adding four rushes for 22 yards in the fourth quarter to finish as Carolina's leading passer and rusher for the game. “We just pushed the tempo and it started to click, and we knew they were tired. We were eager to score every chance we had in the second half and we found ways to make plays,” he said afterward.
As the Tar Heels eye a matchup with in-state foe East Carolina (who got the best of them last season), the biggest issue the team must correct revolves around coming ready to play in the opening half. Carolina's first half offense has been unimpressive and has posted an average of 10.5 points and 161 yards, compared to 26 points and 257.5 yards in the second half. Williams must build upon his second half success against San Diego State and play with the same tempo, rhythm, and decision-making in the first two quarters for the Tar Heels to weather the storm of East Carolina, Clemson, and Virginia Tech following their bye week. But for now, the good news is that Carolina can celebrate something that took them until October 26th of last year to celebrate: Getting two wins.
