Game Recaps

[TarHeelbred33]

-Back to Business-
Chapel Hill, NC
The rain couldn't hold back Senior RB TJ Logan Saturday. The Heisman hopeful has made it clear he is ready to carry the team this year, and is out for redemption after missing out the Heisman to a Freshman last year. Logan finished the day with 231 yards and 3 TD's.

The Heels were also aided by a pair of 3rd quarter kick returns for 99 yards and 101 yards by Shawn Wright. QB Mitch Trubisky struggled in the opening game throwing 2 picks. He was replaced midway through the 3rd by Senior Kanler Coker. Coach Charles made it clear after the game that Mitch is still his guy, but just wanted him to come out and clear his head a bit.

Defensively, the Heels played with great fire and intensity, but they struggled to stop a veteran group of CMU receivers. Coach Charles said they have some work to do in the secondary if they are to accomplish their lofty goals this year.

Next week the Heels travel to Atl. to take on Alabama. It is a game that the Coaches and Players are really looking forward to. A chance to showcase a program on the rise, against one of the NCAA's most historic and successful.

[TarHeelbred33]

-Hotlanta Scare-
Atlanta, GA
"Phew". This was the first thing out of the mouth of UNC's Head Coach in the post game press conference. This year's kickoff classic gave the fans their money worth pitting two top 25 teams Alabama vs. UNC. Both defenses came out firing on all cylinders. Bama was able to generate four scoring drives in the first half while holding UNC to only 85 total yards.

Coming out of the locker room leading 16-0 Bama stuffed the first run of the second half for a two yard loss. Then, the tables turned as TJ Logan busted through the middle untouched for a 79 yard TD run on the second play of the 3rd quarter.

After trading field goals on the previous drives, Bama got a 50 yard run from Henry to put them inside red zone. Then, in a dramatic momentum swing, Bama QB Cooper Bateman passes to the left not seeing Brian Walker reading his eyes and cutting across to pick the pass off and take it to the house for a 92 yard pick 6 ending the 3rd quarter and giving the Heels a chance to take the lead with a FG.

The 4th quarter turned into a complete domination by the Carolina defense yielding 4 sacks and giving the Heels a chance to put the game away. With a minute left, Logan was able to do this on a 3 yard score, sealing the deal with a 2 pt conversion.

It was an absolute thriller in Atlanta, and it was the boost this UNC program needed after a letdown in last years ACCC. The Heels hope to be able to maintain this momentum through double bye weeks and carry it into a match up against SEC boarder rival South Carolina.

[SugaRicky]

-Rivalry Game Excitement-
Morgantown, WV

After suffering his first loss to a B1G rival, UMD coach was once again tested in a rivalry game that is arguably more historically competitive than Maryland's old ACC rival Virginia and new B1G rival Penn State. Maryland did start strong with a road win over ACC powerhouse Florida State, but can they prove that the win was just not a hoax?

The Terrapins started out strong by going up 14-0 in the first quarter. However, it looked as if they had forgotten that this was indeed a rivalry game and that their opponents would not go down that easy. The Mountaineers rallied to score 17 unanswered points in the 2nd quarter, putting them ahead 17-14 at halftime.

Maryland, again, looked complacent allowing West Virginia to take a 10 point lead close to the end of the 3rd quarter. WVU essentially shutout Maryland's offense leaving them scoreless in the 2nd and 3rd quarters.

With their backs against the wall, Maryland knew it was time to step it up. They brought themselves ahead by 3, making the score 27-24, after failing a 2-point conversion in an attempt to pressure WVU to score a touchdown to win the game. After kicking a field goal to tie the game at 27, WVU allowed Maryland to score 7 points with only 39 seconds remaining. West Virginia proved that they would not take this lying down after a long hail mary touchdown grab by their touted wide receiver Shelton Gibson.

In a game that seemed to be endless, Maryland was FINALLY able to prevail after 4, that's right 4, periods of OT when the ball was picked off by the RS Sophomore Mike Pickens, who ran it all the way back for 6.

The exciting matchup ended with a final score of 59-50. The players and especially the coach can rest easy knowing they were able to chalk up another win for the Terrapins. Let's hope they can keep it up as they have an actual conference game against Big Ten West rival, the No. 21 ranked Iowa Hawkeyes.

[TarHeelbred33]

Quote: Originally Posted by SugaRicky

-Rivalry Game Excitement- Morgantown, WV After suffering his first loss to a B1G rival, UMD coach was once again tested in a rivalry game that is arguably more historically competitive than Maryland's old ACC rival Virginia and new B1G rival Penn State. Maryland did start strong with a road win over ACC powerhouse Florida State, but can they prove that the win was just not a hoax? The Terrapins started out strong by going up 14-0 in the first quarter. However, it looked as if they had forgotten that this was indeed a rivalry game and that their opponents would not go down that easy. The Mountaineers rallied to score 17 unanswered points in the 2nd quarter, putting them ahead 17-14 at halftime. Maryland, again, looked complacent allowing West Virginia to take a 10 point lead close to the end of the 3rd quarter. WVU essentially shutout Maryland's offense leaving them scoreless in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. With their backs against the wall, Maryland knew it was time to step it up. They brought themselves ahead by 3, making the score 27-24, after failing a 2-point conversion in an attempt to pressure WVU to score a touchdown to win the game. After kicking a field goal to tie the game at 27, WVU allowed Maryland to score 7 points with only 39 seconds remaining. West Virginia proved that they would not take this lying down after a long hail mary touchdown grab by their touted wide receiver Shelton Gibson. In a game that seemed to be endless, Maryland was FINALLY able to prevail after 4, that's right 4, periods of OT when the ball was picked off by the RS Sophomore Mike Pickens, who ran it all the way back for 6. The exciting matchup ended with a final score of 59-50. The players and especially the coach can rest easy knowing they were able to chalk up another win for the Terrapins. Let's hope they can keep it up as they have an actual conference game against the No. 21 ranked Iowa Hawkeyes.

Sounds like a great game. Since getting NCAA I dont think I have ever gotten to OT. I have however been beaten on the final play.....

[SugaRicky]

Quote: Originally Posted by TarHeelbred33

Sounds like a great game. Since getting NCAA I dont think I have ever gotten to OT. I have however been beaten on the final play.....

Yea this game was fun and upsetting at the same time. Penalties are what really kept either team in the game. I gave up 75 yards on penalties, so I was not a very happy camper, but I jumped at the sign that a flag was thrown against them.

[TarHeelbred33]

-Shootouts Leave Questionmarks-
Chapel Hill, NC

It was a stellar performance from Senior TJ Logan. Another game over 200 yards in addition to 5 TD's. "We really wanted to come out and establish our running game to set the tone", said Logan after the game. The offense seemed to get that tone memo, but the defense did not.

Giving up a season high 598 total yards, Coach Charles was furious following the press conference at both his front seven, and secondary. In his post game press conference Charles said, "If we play like this going forward, there wont be another trip to Charlotte." It seemed to be a lack of communication up front and in the secondary, and no adjustments were made. Charles also said the blame lies on him for not having his guys prepared to meet the challenge.

You can be sure Monday will be a miserable practice for his defensive players. Touting a Top 10 defense last year, it is clear this group doesn't have the mental toughness to compete for a full 4 quarters each week. It could be number of things, from lack of leadership to coaching, but Charles believes these issues are fixable.

These issues better be fixed quickly as the Heels travel to Pittsburgh to take on a stout, experienced Pitt team.

[TarHeelbred33]

New Coastal Kings
Chapel Hill, NC

From the day the Hokies entered the ACC they have all but dominated the ACC, specifically the Coastal division. The last 4 years however, the momentum has shifted to Chapel Hill. With four wins in a row it appears the VT reign is over.

The UNC offense turned the ball over twice in the first quarter but the defense really set the tone by giving up only two field goals. Then, in the second quarter, the offense kicked it into gear. Three passing TD's from Trubisky to Swtizer, Logan, and Lewis gave the Heels a 21-9 lead heading into the locker room.

In the second half, the Carolina defense swarmed the ball and was all over VT quarterback Motley. Motley was sacked six times in the second half, including three from Senior Jessie Rogers. Freshman CB Cortez Everson added another interception to his resume as well.

Heisman front runner TJ Logan quietly had another great day with 251 total yards and 2 total TD's. Logan was quoted following the game, "our goals haven't been achieved yet, and we have a lot of work to do still if we are going to meet them." This is the attitude you hear from all of the players, and it comes from the top. Coach Charles has tried to pitch to these kids since he arrived on campus that complacency means mediocrity. It seems like these kids are buying what he is selling.

The Heels now turn their focus on hated rival NC State.

[SugaRicky]

Not Cut Out For It
College Park, MD

After bringing Maryland to a 3-1 start, Coach Francis has put them in a 0-3 skid since then. The latest defeat coming at home to B1G rival Minnesota. It leads people to believe that either the team isn't cut out for the B1G or the coach isn't. The fans seem to like the guy, but how long is that going to last if he can't even get the team a win.

The game took an almost immediate turn for the worst when the opening kickoff was fumbled by sophomore CB Swanson(what the heck was he doing out there in the first place) and recovered in the endzone for a safety. The defense redeemed the team with a score by freshman Nick Townes who returned an interception for a touchdown. This redemption was only temporary as the defense gave up a whole 35 points in the first half. At halftime Minnesota led 37-17.

Coach Francis and his team left everyone scratching their heads when they failed to score at the end of the 2nd quarter and stupidly let the clock run out with four seconds left while inside the opponent's 20 yard line.

God only knows what coach Francis said to his team in the locker room, but they looked like a fresh new team in the second half. The defense did give up a touchdown early in the 3rd quarter, but left Minnesota scoreless for the rest of the game. It was now up to Senior QB Perry Hills to breathe some life into the offense. The turnover bug plagued the offense all day with a total of 4 giveaways.

The Terps were able to bring the deficit down to 3 points. With all hope resting on Hills' hands, timing and precision. He has proved to be clutch in the past, but this time his luck finally ran out when he turned over the ball with only a minute remaining on a drive, that if they scored, most definitely would have had everyone in College Park raving that night. Maryland loses a heartbreaker 44-41.

Alas, it's back to the drawing board for this team. They have played 5 conference matches with only one conference win. They need to do something and do it quickly as 3 of their last four games pits them against B1G powerhouses #3 Ohio State, #8 Michigan State, and #1 Rutgers.

Maryland should have never left the ACC...