Mistakes Happen: North Carolina's Sexton has learned not to beat himself up after errors

CHAPEL HILL

Quarterback Cameron Sexton's development at North Carolina this season has hinged on advice that he first received from his high-school coach more than four years ago.

No longer does Sexton harshly criticize himself for a mistake, dwell on an error or expect to play a perfect game.

"I'm really stubborn; I've always been stubborn," Sexton said. "It's probably one of my weaknesses. I always felt like I could do (anything) and squeeze this ball in here or there.

"Over time I've learned to take what the defense gives you. I think that's part of being hard on myself. I've wanted to be so perfect. I've learned that doesn't work."

The approach helped Sexton fit in quickly once he took over as North Carolina's full-time quarterback on its third offensive series in a game at Miami on Sept. 27. He has led the team to a 4-1 record since that day.

Mark Barnes, Sexton's coach at Scotland County High School in Laurinburg, tried to get Sexton to change during his high-school career.

Sexton said he listened to Barnes at the time, but said that only now does he understand what Barnes meant.

"It's not letting (bad plays) carry over," Sexton said. "I'm going to be really tough on myself but it's not letting it carry over to the next play. I'm really focused on, ‘All right, it's over, move on. I'll get to it later when we're watching the film or at practice.' "

Sexton has helped lead North Carolina to a 6-2 record going into Saturday's home game against Georgia Tech with 964 yards passing and six touchdowns. The progress he has made was evident in North Carolina's last game, on Oct. 25 in a 45-24 win over visiting Boston College.

Trouble came quickly for Sexton that Saturday. He fumbled on the Tar Heels' third offensive play; the Eagles recovered and returned the ball for a touchdown and a 10-0 lead.

Sexton was upset that he allowed defensive tackle Ron Brace to hit him from behind and jar the ball loose. He didn't stew, however, or let the turnover affect his concentration.

He helped North Carolina outscore Boston College 45-7 in the next 44 minutes and build a 28-point lead. The plays that he couldn't make were as important as the passes he completed against an exasperated defense.

At least three times Sexton recognized quickly that he had no receivers open and threw away the ball. Twice on one series he threw the ball to the sideline, well away from Boston College defenders after North Carolina had recovered to force a 10-10 tie.

The possession ended in a punt that put Boston College at its 11-yard line. North Carolina intercepted quarterback Chris Crane five plays later and drove for a touchdown and its first lead.

Before, Sexton never wanted to give up on a play. Now he knows there's nothing wrong with throwing the ball away and going on to the next down, or with punting and letting the defense go to work.

"Absolutely, I've been very hard on myself throughout my career," Sexton said. "I think over time I've heard it from enough people to know I shouldn't be hard on myself.

"I just want to be the best. I'm always going to be hard on myself and I'm not going to accept not playing well or not doing things that are right. I'm maybe not easier on myself but I've moved on faster and not let things bother me. It's helped me be more poised and calmer during games."

Coach Butch Davis noticed the difference in Sexton this season, even before he took over at Miami with North Carolina down 14-0 and led the team to a 28-24 victory.

Davis considers the ability to forget a play and move on to the next one a crucial step in the development of a quarterback.

The trait is one reason why Sexton will remain as the Tar Heels' starter even when previous starter T.J. Yates can play again after recovering from a broken ankle.

"Some quarterbacks just can't let certain mistakes go," Davis said. "I think he's done an excellent job of that. If you're going to play the position, in some respects you've got to learn from the mistakes you've made. He hasn't made very many of them.

"The ones he has made he's the first guy to come to the sideline and say, ‘You know what? That was a bad decision on my part.' And it didn't happen the rest of the game."

■ Bill Cole can be reached at bcole@wsjournal.com.