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FOUNDED AND PUBLISHED FROM 1990-93 BY THE GENERAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA
Vol. IX, No. 8, October 20, 2003
Lost Weekend: Heels Absorb Twin-Barrel Blow. CHAPEL HILL
The image seems apropos today given the agony Tar Heel Nation is enduring, first at the passing of its most revered citizen and second at the stunning turn of events in the last 36 seconds of Saturday’s against Arizona State. In a week when a hapless Cubs fan could not get out of the way of a foul ball, tightening the vise held on the denizens of Wrigley Field since 1909; In a week when the Red Sox blew a three-run lead to lose the pennant to the hated Yankees, extending the torture
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HUGH MORTON
stood in shock after Sun Devil quarterback Andrew Walter hit Skyler Fulton on a fivehe photograph alongside these words yard pass to the back of the end zone as the has long been one of my favorites and clock expired. perhaps the most intriguing from the “It just might be the most painful loss of archives of 115 years of Tar Heel football. my entire career,” Bunting said. “My mind just went blank,” said tailback There is no ball in the frame, nor any running or leaping or throwing. There is no blocking Ronnie McGill. “I couldn’t believe what was and no tackling. The setting is not our own happening.” Kenan Stadium. There’s not even a face, just a “Every game we lay it on the line,” center player in a parka and antique black high tops Jason Brown said. “I’ve never felt this bad.” in a fetal position. Is he crying? Is he in pain? “I’d rather be blown out than lose like this,” linebacker Larry Edwards added. “This Is the game over? Is time out on the field and a game-winning field-goal hurts you deep because you attempt ensuing? feel like it was locked up. I The man who captured thought we’d hold them.” the image, Hugh Morton, The Tar Heels lacked only refreshed me on the story one measly first down—a two-foot gain on a running Saturday afternoon, just a day after the photograph’s play with a minute to play— subject, one Charlie “Choo to salt this one away and Choo” Justice, went to his have two victories in a row. maker. But McGill was stacked up at “Yankee Stadium, 1949,” the line of scrimmage for no gain when the left side of the said Morton, who counts in the thousands the number of Carolina line double-teamed photos he’s taken of Justice the wrong player and over 58 years. “Carolina was allowed an edge player a free playing Notre Dame. Charlie shot at McGill. was out with a sprained “We failed to carry over from the practice field to the ankle and played only one play, that to hold for a placegame field,” Bunting said. kick. I snapped that picture “There’s no way Ronnie gets in the first half, when the stopped if we block it right.” score was tied, 6-6. “It was third and two feet “The picture got quite a or something,” guard Jeb Terry said. “We couldn’t bit of exposure, and people Charlie Justice praying for the Tar Heels in 1949; Carolina always asked me, ‘What was convert. If we make that first needs some devine intervention in 2003 as well. Charlie doing?’ So one day I down, the game’s over.” asked him. He said he was Instead, Carolina punted chamber of champion-less seasons in praying. He was praying that the game would from its 45 to the Arizona State 11, and in one Fenway Park to 85; stay close and we’d win it in the end.” of the few special-teams breakdowns this And in a week when some 65 Justice-era season, the Tar Heels let the Sun Devils set up Alas, the Fighting Irish of coach Frank alumni were gathering in Chapel Hill for Leahy rolled up the points in the second half a solid return wall and advance the ball 28 their semi-annual reunion, only to receive and sent the Tar Heels and their thousands of yards for excellent field position. A 42-yard word early Friday morning that their leader fans who made the pilgrimage to the Bronx completion over the middle with one notable had succumbed to five years of failing back home with a 42-6 defeat. missed tackle was the dagger in the drive, health; “That game cost me the Heisman Trophy,” taking the ball to the five and setting up the Another long-suffering institution winning score. Walter, one of the nation’s top Justice told Tar Heel coach John Bunting in endures a body-blow to its fragile psyche. the spring of 2001 when Bunting visited NFL prospects at his position, found Fulton in Who has it worse? Cubs fans? Red Sox Justice in his Cherryville home. “We were in the back of the end zone and lofted the ball fans? Tar Heel football fans? front of the New York media and I didn’t play. high in the air, over the reach of Tar Heel The 40,000-plus spectators in Kenan One goal I set was to win the Heisman safety Michael Harris. Fulton jumped for the Stadium on a sun-splashed Homecoming Trophy. I was runner-up three years in a row.” ball and barely got his feet down in-bounds.
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rabid Tigers waiting next Saturday. The coach, buoyed by the unanimous support of the Justice Era alumni, will continue to build the program on the foundation laid more than half a century ago. “John Bunting is rock-solid,” said Bob Cox, an end and kicker during the late-1940s. “He’s a class act. He doesn’t whine or whimper. He knows what his problems are and he’s dealing with them head-on.” At the final gun Sunday, Bunting had the wherewithal to look for Sun Devil coach Dirk Koetter to offer a congratulatory handshake, but Koetter was celebrating with his team and left the Tar Heel coach to stand alone at the 40 yard-line for a solid minute with only the company of a Highway Patrol officer until seeing that Koetter was running to the opposite end zone. Then Bunting walked toward the tunnel in the west end zone, pausing behind the Carolina cheerleaders while Hark The Sound was being played. He later met with a recruit and his high school coach in his office and asked the kid, “What would you say to the team?” “Build on it, Coach,” the prospect answered. “Build on it or stay defeated,” his coach added. Bunting knew that, of course, but needed it hear it from someone else. “I was feeling sorry for myself at that point, which is always a waste of time,” he said. “I used that with the team. I guarantee we will move on from this.” One of the tools Bunting will continue to use will be the legacy of Charlie Justice, though most 19-yearolds don’t truly understand what Justice meant to Carolina. Even this 46-year-old can’t really understand since I wasn’t around. I have to take other folks’ words for it. Fortunately, there a millions of those for education and enlightenment. “What I will stress is the love for Carolina that he had and the competitiveness in his heart and mind,” Bunting said Friday. Then on Saturday, he added, “I’m sure he’s up there looking at us, saying, ‘Hey, you’ll get there. You’ll get it done.’” Now listen, Mister Charlie “Choo Choo” Justice, up there now in the Carolina blue skies with an audience with the Great And Powerful. Ask for a little mercy on Cubs fans, Red Sox fans and those who, just once, would like to see the Tar Heels get back to the Sugar Bowl. Or at the very least, leave Kenan Stadium once again with a smile on their face. Meanwhile, we’ll keep saying our prayers, just as you did on the grass at Yankee Stadium so many years ago. — LEE PACE ASSOCIATED PRESS
“We’re not quite good enough to make the haven’t been as evident as in other years. big play we need,” Bunting said. “We have Contrast that to the Heels’ four best enough talent, we’ve just got to keep growing, seasons during the 1990s. keep trusting, keep working together as a 1992 (9-3, Peach Bowl win over Missisteam, coaches and players together.” sippi State) – Eight players started 11 or 12 Bunting dissected the last seven minutes, games. The only times the lineup was 30 seconds of the game snap-by-snap with his juggled was to account for injuries. team on Sunday, showing the Tar Heels where 1993 (10-3, Gator Bowl loss to Alabama) better technique here, a better read there, a – Nine players started all 13 games. little more urgency there or a little more poise Another started 12 of 13. The only tinkering there might have been enough to alter the came at one defensive tackle slot where landscape of one play and thus the game. Greg Black, Marcus Jones and Mike Payne “We had a number of opportunities to competed for the starting job. come up with a play,” he said. “We did not and Arizona State did. We just needed one more play. We have to find a way.” Arizona State piled up a gaudy stats sheet, just as it did one year ago when the Tar Heels escaped Tempe with a 38-35 victory—598 yards offense, nearly 50 percent third-down conversions, more than 400 yards passing and 36 minutes of offensive possession. Still, the Tar Heel defense rejected two ASU thrusts inside the 10 yard-line in the second quarter and the Sun Devils settled for field goals. Twice in the fourth quarter the Sun Devils pierced midfield but came away without a score—once missing a field goal and another time being stopped on fourth down. Those are definite improvements for the Tar Heels, who earlier in the year would have allowed those field goal attempts to be sure touchdowns. “We’re getting better stopping the run,” Bunting said. “We’ve getting increased awareness by the linebackers and secondary in terms of fitting plays. That’s what we have to do in order to stop the run. We’ve got to play hard, play fast, play smart, and fit plays. We’re not good. But we’re better than we were. “We still don’t get the great pass rush, and that’s hurt our defense. That’s put some pressure on our secondary. We’ve got to keep working at that.” GAME WINNER — Skyler Fulton makes Edwards continues to develop as a true freshman, notching 10.5 tackles on winning reception over Michael Harris. the plus-side but still learning to line up correctly and react correctly on the minus1996 (10-2, Gator Bowl win over West side. Nothing new there with green players. Virginia) – Six started all 12 games. Five Cornerback Lionel Green, now solidly in the others started 10. The only changes were starting lineup, is covering better and tackling due to injuries after Greg Williams beat out better. Safety Mahlon Carey, who has been an Jomo Legins for one starting safety spot impressive force at times in his first year on after two games. defense, is struggling with assignments at the 1997 (11-1, Gator Bowl win over Virginia moment, thus his limited playing time Tech) – Eight started all 12 games. Three Saturday and more opportunity for Harris, a others started at least 10. The only changes former walk-on. It’s a constant evolutionary were due to injuries. For the first nine process with this defense, which has now games of that year, only one change in the started a different lineup for 18 consecutive starting lineup was made—that when Nate games dating back to the beginning of the Hobgood-Chittick started for an injured 2002 season as Bunting and his defensive staff Russell Davis against Virginia. juggle to find the best combination of Bunting & Co. don’t have the luxury of strength, speed, instinct, health, maturity, piddling around and playing the woe-is-me brains and toughness. The answers simply card, not with a trip to Clemson and the
EXTRA POINTS
‘Zigging Through The Tackles, Zagging Through The Guards.’
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here is a corner in the Charlie Justice Hall of Honor devoted to the 1946-49 Tar Heel teams made famous by Justice and teammates like Art Weiner, Ken Powell and Irv Holdash. Within the display is a button you can push and hear the song All The Way Choo Choo, written in 1949 by Hank Beebe (music) and Orville Campbell (words). It’s not hard to understand that the lyrics were by no means an exaggeration after visiting with members of the Justice Era teams and assorted guests at their reunion Friday night in Chapel Hill. * Joe Wright: “He ran on pure instinct. He didn’t have to think to run. It was all natural ability. He was one of the greatest broken-field runners of all time. He was not extremely fast, but he didn’t need a half step to change direction.” * Sid Varney: “You could never tell
where he was going to run next. If you were a good player, he made you better. Lots of times a dumb lineman like me got two blocks on one play. He’d run by you once and then come back again.” * Kenan Rand: “The greatest run I ever saw from Charlie was our freshman year, 1946, at Tennessee. He ran the ball 74 yards but ran double that going back and forth. They said Tennessee players laid a hand on him 13 different times, but no one could get him on the ground.” * Ed Bilpuch: “The funniest thing was when one of our players blocked a guy as Charlie went past and kept after him and kept after him. The other guy said, ‘Hey, the play’s gone.’ Our guy said. ‘Just wait, Charlie’ll be back.’” * Hugh Morton: “He could run, he could pass, he could kick, he could play defense. Usually someone does one thing well. He did everything.” * John Bunting: “He was everything I want our program to be – class, character, toughness and tremendous, unbelievable competitiveness.”
Join The Rams Club Help sponsor the educations of Tar Heel football players—for as little as $100 a year (special plans available for Carolina students and recent graduates). Membership to the Rams Club includes the opportunity to purchase season football tickets and mini-season basketball ticket packages; access to the Ram’s Room in Kenan Field House; tickets to the annual Super Saturday lunch featuring John Bunting and Tar Heel basketball coach Roy Williams; invitations to annual functions featuring Carolina coaches; subscription to Tar Heel Monthly newspaper; group travel opportunities and priority seating for away football games; invitations to annual Foundation golf tournaments; donor card, car decals and more. For more information, call the Rams Club offices at 919/945-2000 or visit www.educationalfoundation.com.
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All the way Choo Choo, all the way, Chug chug chugga with a hip hoo-ray. Bing, bat, boot that ball around, Open that throttle and cover ground. He took the kick-off on the ten, Crowd yelled “Man, he’s off again.” Zigging through the tackles, Zagging through the guards, He razzle-dazzled for ninety yards. At the football game, he does all the stunts, He runs, he passes, fakes and punts. Between the halves he leads the band, Then sells peanuts in the stands. Punt formation once was called. Choo Choo waited for the ball. Why it ought to be against the law, They found that thing in Arkansas. A two-ton tackle got his man. Across him laid his two-ton span. “Don’t move,” Two Ton said to him, “Choo Choo may come by again.” Lyrics from “All The Way Choo Choo” by Orville Campbell
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DIGEST Arizona State 33, Carolina 31
ACC Standings
ASU Carolina First Downs 29 18 Rushing 10 8 Passing 19 7 Penalty 0 3 Rushing Attempts 35 34 Yards Gained Rushing 208 169 Yards Lost Rushing 18 5 Net Yards Rushing 190 164 Net Yards Passing 408 167 Passes Attempted 59 23 Passes Completed 34 13 Had Intercepted 0 0 Total Offensive Plays 94 57 Total Net Yards 598 331 Average Gain Per Play 6.4 5.8 Fumbles: No.-Lost 2-1 4-2 Penalties: No.-Yards 16-153 3-22 Punts-Ave. 5-42.8 6-40.8 Punt Returns: No.-Yards 5-46 2-10 Kick-Off Returns: No.-Yards 3-79 5-82 Interceptions: No. -Yards 0-0 0-0 Fumble Returns:No.-Yards 0-0 1-19 Possession Time 35:48 24:12 Third-Down Conversions 10-21 3-11 Fourth-Down Conversions 1-2 0-0 Red-Zone Scores-Chances 5-6 4-4 Sacks By 1-2 1-6 Arizona State Carolina
6 14
14 0
7 10
6 7
Carolina’s 2003 Schedule
33 31
ASU—Derek Hagan 49 pass from Andrew Walter (Jesse Ainsworth kick), 13:09 1st qtr. Carolina—Ronnie McGill 1 run (Dan Orner kick), 7:15. Carolina—Chad Scott 11 run (Orner kick), 5:38. ASU—Skyler Fulton 11 pass from Walter (Hagan pass from Walter), 11:49 2nd qtr. ASU—Ainsworth 21 FG, 6:27. ASU—Ainsworth 24 FG, 0:00. Carolina—Orner 50 FG, 12:42 3rd qtr. ASU—Hakim Hill 8 run (Ainsworth kick), 6:09. Carolina—McGill 1 run (Orner kick), 4:29. Carolina—Lewis 1 pass from Darian Durant (Orner kick), 7:43 3rd qtr. ASU—Fulton 5 pass from Walter, 0:00. A—42,000.
ACC Overall 5-0 6-1 2-1 5-2 3-2 4-3 2-2 5-3 2-2 4-3 2-2 4-3 2-2 4-3 0-4 2-5 0-3 1-6 Thursday’s Game N.C. State 17, Clemson 15 Saturday’s Games Arizona State 33, Carolina 31 Wake Forest 42, Duke 13 Florida State 19, Virginia 14 Thursday’s Game Maryland at Georgia Tech, 7:45 p.m. (ESPN) Next Saturday’s Games Carolina at Clemson, Noon (JP) N.C. State at Duke, 1 p.m. Troy State at Virginia, 3 p.m. Wake Forest at Florida State, 3:30 p.m. (ABC)
Florida State Maryland Virginia N.C. State Clemson Georgia Tech Wake Forest Duke Carolina
Individual Leaders Rushing—Carolina: McGill 12-46, 2 TDs, Parker 4-42, Durant 6-36, Lewis 9-22, Scott 3-18, 1 TD; ASU: Wade 16-130, Hill 14-72, Walter 4-(4). Passing—Carolina: Durant 23-13-0-167, 1 TD. ASU: Walter 58-34-0-408, 3 TDs. Receiving—Carolina: Pollock 4-98, Mitchell 3-23, Lewis 2-9, 1 TD, Scott 1-27, Blizzard 1-5, Russell 1-4, Parker 1-1; ASU: Hagan 11-185, 1 TD, Fulton 7-68, Lightfoot 4-45, Carney 4-19. Returns—Carolina: Pollock 1 punt 10 yards, Wright 1 kick-off 15, Mason 4 kick-offs 67. Defense—Tackles: Reid 12.5, Green 11, Edwards 10.5, Harris 7.5, Hedgecock 3.5, Hawkins 3.0, Carey 2.5, Watkins 2, Longhany 2, Walker 1.5, Sparkman 1, Worsley 1.5, Bullard 1, Mooring 1, Mason 1, Waddell 0.5, Dumas 0.5, Wooldridge 0.5, Justice 0.5, Seawright 0.5, Lewis 0.5, Warren 0.5; TFL: Edwards 1-1, Hawkins 1-2, Harris 0.5-3, Hedgecock 0.5-3; FR-Yd: Davis 1-19; BrUp: Reid, Hawkins, Waddell; Blkd Kick: Seawright; Sacks: Harris 0.5-3, Hedgecock 0.5-3.
INJURY UPDATE—Carolina’s only injury of note Saturday was to linebacker Larry Edwards, who suffered bruised ribs and a lower back and will be limited in practice this week.
Extra Points Publishing Co. 104 Jones St. Chapel Hill, NC 27514
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Florida State 0-37 Syracuse 47-49 (3 OT) Open Wisconsin 27-38 N.C. State 34-47 Virginia 13-38 ECU 28-17 Arizona State 31-33 Clemson 12 Noon (JP) Maryland College Park, Md. Wake Forest Chapel Hill Georgia Tech Atlanta, Ga. Duke Chapel Hill
EXTRA POINTS The only publication devoted exclusively to Tar Heel football. Lee Pace Carolina ‘79 Editor & Publisher 104 Jones Street Chapel Hill 27516 919/933-2082 [email protected]
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FOUNDED AND PUBLISHED FROM 1990-93 BY THE GENERAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA
Vol. IX, No. 8, October 20, 2003
Lost Weekend: Heels Absorb Twin-Barrel Blow. CHAPEL HILL
The image seems apropos today given the agony Tar Heel Nation is enduring, first at the passing of its most revered citizen and second at the stunning turn of events in the last 36 seconds of Saturday’s against Arizona State. In a week when a hapless Cubs fan could not get out of the way of a foul ball, tightening the vise held on the denizens of Wrigley Field since 1909; In a week when the Red Sox blew a three-run lead to lose the pennant to the hated Yankees, extending the torture
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stood in shock after Sun Devil quarterback Andrew Walter hit Skyler Fulton on a fivehe photograph alongside these words yard pass to the back of the end zone as the has long been one of my favorites and clock expired. perhaps the most intriguing from the “It just might be the most painful loss of archives of 115 years of Tar Heel football. my entire career,” Bunting said. “My mind just went blank,” said tailback There is no ball in the frame, nor any running or leaping or throwing. There is no blocking Ronnie McGill. “I couldn’t believe what was and no tackling. The setting is not our own happening.” Kenan Stadium. There’s not even a face, just a “Every game we lay it on the line,” center player in a parka and antique black high tops Jason Brown said. “I’ve never felt this bad.” in a fetal position. Is he crying? Is he in pain? “I’d rather be blown out than lose like this,” linebacker Larry Edwards added. “This Is the game over? Is time out on the field and a game-winning field-goal hurts you deep because you attempt ensuing? feel like it was locked up. I The man who captured thought we’d hold them.” the image, Hugh Morton, The Tar Heels lacked only refreshed me on the story one measly first down—a two-foot gain on a running Saturday afternoon, just a day after the photograph’s play with a minute to play— subject, one Charlie “Choo to salt this one away and Choo” Justice, went to his have two victories in a row. maker. But McGill was stacked up at “Yankee Stadium, 1949,” the line of scrimmage for no gain when the left side of the said Morton, who counts in the thousands the number of Carolina line double-teamed photos he’s taken of Justice the wrong player and over 58 years. “Carolina was allowed an edge player a free playing Notre Dame. Charlie shot at McGill. was out with a sprained “We failed to carry over from the practice field to the ankle and played only one play, that to hold for a placegame field,” Bunting said. kick. I snapped that picture “There’s no way Ronnie gets in the first half, when the stopped if we block it right.” score was tied, 6-6. “It was third and two feet “The picture got quite a or something,” guard Jeb Terry said. “We couldn’t bit of exposure, and people Charlie Justice praying for the Tar Heels in 1949; Carolina always asked me, ‘What was convert. If we make that first needs some devine intervention in 2003 as well. Charlie doing?’ So one day I down, the game’s over.” asked him. He said he was Instead, Carolina punted chamber of champion-less seasons in praying. He was praying that the game would from its 45 to the Arizona State 11, and in one Fenway Park to 85; stay close and we’d win it in the end.” of the few special-teams breakdowns this And in a week when some 65 Justice-era season, the Tar Heels let the Sun Devils set up Alas, the Fighting Irish of coach Frank alumni were gathering in Chapel Hill for Leahy rolled up the points in the second half a solid return wall and advance the ball 28 their semi-annual reunion, only to receive and sent the Tar Heels and their thousands of yards for excellent field position. A 42-yard word early Friday morning that their leader fans who made the pilgrimage to the Bronx completion over the middle with one notable had succumbed to five years of failing back home with a 42-6 defeat. missed tackle was the dagger in the drive, health; “That game cost me the Heisman Trophy,” taking the ball to the five and setting up the Another long-suffering institution winning score. Walter, one of the nation’s top Justice told Tar Heel coach John Bunting in endures a body-blow to its fragile psyche. the spring of 2001 when Bunting visited NFL prospects at his position, found Fulton in Who has it worse? Cubs fans? Red Sox Justice in his Cherryville home. “We were in the back of the end zone and lofted the ball fans? Tar Heel football fans? front of the New York media and I didn’t play. high in the air, over the reach of Tar Heel The 40,000-plus spectators in Kenan One goal I set was to win the Heisman safety Michael Harris. Fulton jumped for the Stadium on a sun-splashed Homecoming Trophy. I was runner-up three years in a row.” ball and barely got his feet down in-bounds.
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rabid Tigers waiting next Saturday. The coach, buoyed by the unanimous support of the Justice Era alumni, will continue to build the program on the foundation laid more than half a century ago. “John Bunting is rock-solid,” said Bob Cox, an end and kicker during the late-1940s. “He’s a class act. He doesn’t whine or whimper. He knows what his problems are and he’s dealing with them head-on.” At the final gun Sunday, Bunting had the wherewithal to look for Sun Devil coach Dirk Koetter to offer a congratulatory handshake, but Koetter was celebrating with his team and left the Tar Heel coach to stand alone at the 40 yard-line for a solid minute with only the company of a Highway Patrol officer until seeing that Koetter was running to the opposite end zone. Then Bunting walked toward the tunnel in the west end zone, pausing behind the Carolina cheerleaders while Hark The Sound was being played. He later met with a recruit and his high school coach in his office and asked the kid, “What would you say to the team?” “Build on it, Coach,” the prospect answered. “Build on it or stay defeated,” his coach added. Bunting knew that, of course, but needed it hear it from someone else. “I was feeling sorry for myself at that point, which is always a waste of time,” he said. “I used that with the team. I guarantee we will move on from this.” One of the tools Bunting will continue to use will be the legacy of Charlie Justice, though most 19-yearolds don’t truly understand what Justice meant to Carolina. Even this 46-year-old can’t really understand since I wasn’t around. I have to take other folks’ words for it. Fortunately, there a millions of those for education and enlightenment. “What I will stress is the love for Carolina that he had and the competitiveness in his heart and mind,” Bunting said Friday. Then on Saturday, he added, “I’m sure he’s up there looking at us, saying, ‘Hey, you’ll get there. You’ll get it done.’” Now listen, Mister Charlie “Choo Choo” Justice, up there now in the Carolina blue skies with an audience with the Great And Powerful. Ask for a little mercy on Cubs fans, Red Sox fans and those who, just once, would like to see the Tar Heels get back to the Sugar Bowl. Or at the very least, leave Kenan Stadium once again with a smile on their face. Meanwhile, we’ll keep saying our prayers, just as you did on the grass at Yankee Stadium so many years ago. — LEE PACE ASSOCIATED PRESS
“We’re not quite good enough to make the haven’t been as evident as in other years. big play we need,” Bunting said. “We have Contrast that to the Heels’ four best enough talent, we’ve just got to keep growing, seasons during the 1990s. keep trusting, keep working together as a 1992 (9-3, Peach Bowl win over Missisteam, coaches and players together.” sippi State) – Eight players started 11 or 12 Bunting dissected the last seven minutes, games. The only times the lineup was 30 seconds of the game snap-by-snap with his juggled was to account for injuries. team on Sunday, showing the Tar Heels where 1993 (10-3, Gator Bowl loss to Alabama) better technique here, a better read there, a – Nine players started all 13 games. little more urgency there or a little more poise Another started 12 of 13. The only tinkering there might have been enough to alter the came at one defensive tackle slot where landscape of one play and thus the game. Greg Black, Marcus Jones and Mike Payne “We had a number of opportunities to competed for the starting job. come up with a play,” he said. “We did not and Arizona State did. We just needed one more play. We have to find a way.” Arizona State piled up a gaudy stats sheet, just as it did one year ago when the Tar Heels escaped Tempe with a 38-35 victory—598 yards offense, nearly 50 percent third-down conversions, more than 400 yards passing and 36 minutes of offensive possession. Still, the Tar Heel defense rejected two ASU thrusts inside the 10 yard-line in the second quarter and the Sun Devils settled for field goals. Twice in the fourth quarter the Sun Devils pierced midfield but came away without a score—once missing a field goal and another time being stopped on fourth down. Those are definite improvements for the Tar Heels, who earlier in the year would have allowed those field goal attempts to be sure touchdowns. “We’re getting better stopping the run,” Bunting said. “We’ve getting increased awareness by the linebackers and secondary in terms of fitting plays. That’s what we have to do in order to stop the run. We’ve got to play hard, play fast, play smart, and fit plays. We’re not good. But we’re better than we were. “We still don’t get the great pass rush, and that’s hurt our defense. That’s put some pressure on our secondary. We’ve got to keep working at that.” GAME WINNER — Skyler Fulton makes Edwards continues to develop as a true freshman, notching 10.5 tackles on winning reception over Michael Harris. the plus-side but still learning to line up correctly and react correctly on the minus1996 (10-2, Gator Bowl win over West side. Nothing new there with green players. Virginia) – Six started all 12 games. Five Cornerback Lionel Green, now solidly in the others started 10. The only changes were starting lineup, is covering better and tackling due to injuries after Greg Williams beat out better. Safety Mahlon Carey, who has been an Jomo Legins for one starting safety spot impressive force at times in his first year on after two games. defense, is struggling with assignments at the 1997 (11-1, Gator Bowl win over Virginia moment, thus his limited playing time Tech) – Eight started all 12 games. Three Saturday and more opportunity for Harris, a others started at least 10. The only changes former walk-on. It’s a constant evolutionary were due to injuries. For the first nine process with this defense, which has now games of that year, only one change in the started a different lineup for 18 consecutive starting lineup was made—that when Nate games dating back to the beginning of the Hobgood-Chittick started for an injured 2002 season as Bunting and his defensive staff Russell Davis against Virginia. juggle to find the best combination of Bunting & Co. don’t have the luxury of strength, speed, instinct, health, maturity, piddling around and playing the woe-is-me brains and toughness. The answers simply card, not with a trip to Clemson and the
EXTRA POINTS
‘Zigging Through The Tackles, Zagging Through The Guards.’
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here is a corner in the Charlie Justice Hall of Honor devoted to the 1946-49 Tar Heel teams made famous by Justice and teammates like Art Weiner, Ken Powell and Irv Holdash. Within the display is a button you can push and hear the song All The Way Choo Choo, written in 1949 by Hank Beebe (music) and Orville Campbell (words). It’s not hard to understand that the lyrics were by no means an exaggeration after visiting with members of the Justice Era teams and assorted guests at their reunion Friday night in Chapel Hill. * Joe Wright: “He ran on pure instinct. He didn’t have to think to run. It was all natural ability. He was one of the greatest broken-field runners of all time. He was not extremely fast, but he didn’t need a half step to change direction.” * Sid Varney: “You could never tell
where he was going to run next. If you were a good player, he made you better. Lots of times a dumb lineman like me got two blocks on one play. He’d run by you once and then come back again.” * Kenan Rand: “The greatest run I ever saw from Charlie was our freshman year, 1946, at Tennessee. He ran the ball 74 yards but ran double that going back and forth. They said Tennessee players laid a hand on him 13 different times, but no one could get him on the ground.” * Ed Bilpuch: “The funniest thing was when one of our players blocked a guy as Charlie went past and kept after him and kept after him. The other guy said, ‘Hey, the play’s gone.’ Our guy said. ‘Just wait, Charlie’ll be back.’” * Hugh Morton: “He could run, he could pass, he could kick, he could play defense. Usually someone does one thing well. He did everything.” * John Bunting: “He was everything I want our program to be – class, character, toughness and tremendous, unbelievable competitiveness.”
Join The Rams Club Help sponsor the educations of Tar Heel football players—for as little as $100 a year (special plans available for Carolina students and recent graduates). Membership to the Rams Club includes the opportunity to purchase season football tickets and mini-season basketball ticket packages; access to the Ram’s Room in Kenan Field House; tickets to the annual Super Saturday lunch featuring John Bunting and Tar Heel basketball coach Roy Williams; invitations to annual functions featuring Carolina coaches; subscription to Tar Heel Monthly newspaper; group travel opportunities and priority seating for away football games; invitations to annual Foundation golf tournaments; donor card, car decals and more. For more information, call the Rams Club offices at 919/945-2000 or visit www.educationalfoundation.com.
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All the way Choo Choo, all the way, Chug chug chugga with a hip hoo-ray. Bing, bat, boot that ball around, Open that throttle and cover ground. He took the kick-off on the ten, Crowd yelled “Man, he’s off again.” Zigging through the tackles, Zagging through the guards, He razzle-dazzled for ninety yards. At the football game, he does all the stunts, He runs, he passes, fakes and punts. Between the halves he leads the band, Then sells peanuts in the stands. Punt formation once was called. Choo Choo waited for the ball. Why it ought to be against the law, They found that thing in Arkansas. A two-ton tackle got his man. Across him laid his two-ton span. “Don’t move,” Two Ton said to him, “Choo Choo may come by again.” Lyrics from “All The Way Choo Choo” by Orville Campbell
EXTRA POINTS
DIGEST Arizona State 33, Carolina 31
ACC Standings
ASU Carolina First Downs 29 18 Rushing 10 8 Passing 19 7 Penalty 0 3 Rushing Attempts 35 34 Yards Gained Rushing 208 169 Yards Lost Rushing 18 5 Net Yards Rushing 190 164 Net Yards Passing 408 167 Passes Attempted 59 23 Passes Completed 34 13 Had Intercepted 0 0 Total Offensive Plays 94 57 Total Net Yards 598 331 Average Gain Per Play 6.4 5.8 Fumbles: No.-Lost 2-1 4-2 Penalties: No.-Yards 16-153 3-22 Punts-Ave. 5-42.8 6-40.8 Punt Returns: No.-Yards 5-46 2-10 Kick-Off Returns: No.-Yards 3-79 5-82 Interceptions: No. -Yards 0-0 0-0 Fumble Returns:No.-Yards 0-0 1-19 Possession Time 35:48 24:12 Third-Down Conversions 10-21 3-11 Fourth-Down Conversions 1-2 0-0 Red-Zone Scores-Chances 5-6 4-4 Sacks By 1-2 1-6 Arizona State Carolina
6 14
14 0
7 10
6 7
Carolina’s 2003 Schedule
33 31
ASU—Derek Hagan 49 pass from Andrew Walter (Jesse Ainsworth kick), 13:09 1st qtr. Carolina—Ronnie McGill 1 run (Dan Orner kick), 7:15. Carolina—Chad Scott 11 run (Orner kick), 5:38. ASU—Skyler Fulton 11 pass from Walter (Hagan pass from Walter), 11:49 2nd qtr. ASU—Ainsworth 21 FG, 6:27. ASU—Ainsworth 24 FG, 0:00. Carolina—Orner 50 FG, 12:42 3rd qtr. ASU—Hakim Hill 8 run (Ainsworth kick), 6:09. Carolina—McGill 1 run (Orner kick), 4:29. Carolina—Lewis 1 pass from Darian Durant (Orner kick), 7:43 3rd qtr. ASU—Fulton 5 pass from Walter, 0:00. A—42,000.
ACC Overall 5-0 6-1 2-1 5-2 3-2 4-3 2-2 5-3 2-2 4-3 2-2 4-3 2-2 4-3 0-4 2-5 0-3 1-6 Thursday’s Game N.C. State 17, Clemson 15 Saturday’s Games Arizona State 33, Carolina 31 Wake Forest 42, Duke 13 Florida State 19, Virginia 14 Thursday’s Game Maryland at Georgia Tech, 7:45 p.m. (ESPN) Next Saturday’s Games Carolina at Clemson, Noon (JP) N.C. State at Duke, 1 p.m. Troy State at Virginia, 3 p.m. Wake Forest at Florida State, 3:30 p.m. (ABC)
Florida State Maryland Virginia N.C. State Clemson Georgia Tech Wake Forest Duke Carolina
Individual Leaders Rushing—Carolina: McGill 12-46, 2 TDs, Parker 4-42, Durant 6-36, Lewis 9-22, Scott 3-18, 1 TD; ASU: Wade 16-130, Hill 14-72, Walter 4-(4). Passing—Carolina: Durant 23-13-0-167, 1 TD. ASU: Walter 58-34-0-408, 3 TDs. Receiving—Carolina: Pollock 4-98, Mitchell 3-23, Lewis 2-9, 1 TD, Scott 1-27, Blizzard 1-5, Russell 1-4, Parker 1-1; ASU: Hagan 11-185, 1 TD, Fulton 7-68, Lightfoot 4-45, Carney 4-19. Returns—Carolina: Pollock 1 punt 10 yards, Wright 1 kick-off 15, Mason 4 kick-offs 67. Defense—Tackles: Reid 12.5, Green 11, Edwards 10.5, Harris 7.5, Hedgecock 3.5, Hawkins 3.0, Carey 2.5, Watkins 2, Longhany 2, Walker 1.5, Sparkman 1, Worsley 1.5, Bullard 1, Mooring 1, Mason 1, Waddell 0.5, Dumas 0.5, Wooldridge 0.5, Justice 0.5, Seawright 0.5, Lewis 0.5, Warren 0.5; TFL: Edwards 1-1, Hawkins 1-2, Harris 0.5-3, Hedgecock 0.5-3; FR-Yd: Davis 1-19; BrUp: Reid, Hawkins, Waddell; Blkd Kick: Seawright; Sacks: Harris 0.5-3, Hedgecock 0.5-3.
INJURY UPDATE—Carolina’s only injury of note Saturday was to linebacker Larry Edwards, who suffered bruised ribs and a lower back and will be limited in practice this week.
Extra Points Publishing Co. 104 Jones St. Chapel Hill, NC 27514
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Florida State 0-37 Syracuse 47-49 (3 OT) Open Wisconsin 27-38 N.C. State 34-47 Virginia 13-38 ECU 28-17 Arizona State 31-33 Clemson 12 Noon (JP) Maryland College Park, Md. Wake Forest Chapel Hill Georgia Tech Atlanta, Ga. Duke Chapel Hill
EXTRA POINTS The only publication devoted exclusively to Tar Heel football. Lee Pace Carolina ‘79 Editor & Publisher 104 Jones Street Chapel Hill 27516 919/933-2082 [email protected]
Extra Points will be published at least 15 times during the 2003-04 subscription cycle—on the Mondays following 12 regular-season games, in addition to pre-season, recruiting and springpractice issues and a potential bowlgame edition. Subscriptions are $30 per year, payable by check, money order or Visa/MC. The newsletter is available in its entirety each week at no charge at www.Tarheelblue.com.
