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Resurgent Tar Heels roll 38-12
Interceptions, blocked kicks help UNC turn lights out on UConn
AP Photo
UNC’s Shaun Draughn (20) runs into Connecticut's Darius Butler during first-half action.
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Published: October 5, 2008
CHAPEL HILL - North Carolina hit Connecticut with constant defensive and punt-coverage pressure last night, rolling to a 38-12 win at Kenan Stadium.
In an attack led by sophomore linebacker Bruce Carter, North Carolina intercepted three passes and blocked three punts, knocking UConn from the unbeaten ranks. Carter had all three blocks in the second quarter, setting a school record for blocks in a game in helping North Carolina build a 17-3 lead at halftime.
Safety Trimane Goddard said that Carter's effort sparked the entire defense.
"I haven't seen anything like that, not even in high school," Goddard said. "He just has a knack for stuff like punt-blocking. It speaks on his ability. He's just fast and he's strong and he can get a push back there. He just sticks his arm out there and makes plays."
The Tar Heels sealed the win by slamming two touchdowns into the end zone late in the third quarter, only 1:55 apart. The touchdowns came after a 22-minute delay when both light banks on the north side of the stadium went out.
The Tar Heels took possession at their 43 after a punt and, three plays later, Shaun Draughn, the No. 2 tailback, burst 39 yards up the middle on an inside draw. Daughn was untouched, scoring his second touchdown of the season.
Casey Barth added the extra-point kick, his third of five, to give the Tar Heels a 24-6 lead with 6:04 left in the quarter. Four plays later, they were back in the end zone.
Quarterback Zach Frazer of the Huskies attempted to pass on second down at his 35-yard line. Frazer dropped back and drifted to his left, but couldn't escape defensive end E.J. Wilson.
Wilson got his hands on Frazer's right arm and tried to bring him down. Frazer fought and freed his arm, but Wilson still held him as he attempted to pass. Frazer was almost completely off-balance when he desperately threw the ball to his right, trying to avoid a sack.
Tackle Marvin Austin of North Carolina was the player nearest the ball. He reached down to catch the ball at the 23 and lumbered into the end zone for the first touchdown of his college career.
"Basically that was a whole lot of dreams for years," Austin said. "I almost fell twice, actually. I saw it come down and you just go to playing pee-wee football: Scoop it up and then go run."
The Tar Heels improved to 4-1. The Huskies fell to 5-1. The Tar Heels have 12 interceptions in five games, one more than they had in all 12 games last season.
North Carolina matched its win total of last season, its first under Coach Butch Davis.
"It means a lot to match it this early in the season," Goddard said. "We've got to keep working and not be satisfied with reaching that but go on for our potential."
The defense and the special-teams blocks were needed on a night when the offense struggled. UConn held edges in almost every offensive production statistic and had almost 13 minutes more possession time than North Carolina.
Carter also tied the school record for blocks in a season set in 1993 by Bracey Walker. Carter's four blocks came in a span of three quarters dating to last week's fourth quarter at Miami, a 28-24 win.
North Carolina led 10-3, scoring a touchdown after its first interception, made by linebacker Mark Paschal, that put the ball at the UConn 15. Carter got a hand on a punt by Desi Cullen that veered right and traveled 47 yards, but by NCAA rule was credited with a block. North Carolina didn't score after the first block. Carter rushed in again on UConn's next possession at its 20-yard line and blocked Cullen's punt, with North Carolina taking over at the 19. The second block didn't lead to any points either, because quarterback Cameron Sexton was intercepted at the 3 trying to pass to Brandon Tate in the end zone.
UConn was forced to punt on a third consecutive possession, this one coming at its 5-yard line. Cullen was backed deep into his end zone, but Carter burst through the blocking again to get his hands on the ball, which fell into the end zone.
Reserve Matt Merletti fell on the ball for a touchdown. Barth's kick gave North Carolina its 17-3 lead with 5:08 left in the second quarter.
Austin said that the win was satisfying but only a small part of the season.
"We've got to keep going to practice and work hard," Austin said. "Like Coach says, sometimes the hardest thing to deal with is success. You can start looking at your press clippings or patting yourself on the chest and somebody will sneak (a loss) in on you.
"We'll enjoy this win now, get back here to practice tomorrow and correct out stuff and get ready for the next team."
■ Bill Cole can be reached at bcole@wsjournal.com.
Connecticut 3 0 3 6 -- 12
North Carolina 10 7 14 7 -- 38
First Quarter
UConn--FG Ciaravino 26, 7:01.
UNC--FG Barth 31, 2:44.
UNC--Houston 1 run (Barth kick), :25.
Second Quarter
UNC--Merletti 0 blocked punt return (Barth kick), 5:08.
Third Quarter
UConn--FG Ciaravino 31, 10:06.
UNC--Draughn 39 run (Barth kick), 6:04.
UNC--Austin 23 interception return (Barth kick), 4:09.
Fourth Quarter
UNC--Nicks 13 pass from Sexton (Barth kick), 14:54.
UConn--D.Brown 1 run (run failed), 9:23.
A--59,500.
TEAM STATISTICS
UConn UNC
First downs 23 13
Rushes-yards 40-168 33-146
Passing 210 117
Comp-Att-Int 24-44-3 9-16-1
Return Yards 5 97
Punts-Avg. 6-26.2 4-37.8
Fumbles-Lost 0-0 1-0
Penalties-Yards 11-97 6-57
Time of Possession 36:22 23:38
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING--UConn, D.Brown 33-161, Campbell 1-4, Todman 4-2, Frazer 2-1. North Carolina, Draughn 19-109, Houston 3-39, Nicks 1-8, Little 3-6, Tate 2-1, Team 2-(minus 2), Sexton 3-(minus 15).
PASSING--UConn Frazer 24-44-3-210. North Carolina, Sexton 9-16-1-117.
RECEIVING--UConn, Hernandez 7-103, D.Brown 5-4, K.Moore 4-36, Sherman 2-16, Smith 2-15, Gaulden 1-16, Kanuch 1-10, Bedard 1-7, Butler 1-3. North Carolina, Nicks 3-55, Elzy 3-38, Tate 2-17, Pianalto 1-7.
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