Terrapins host Tar Heels in pivotal ACC clash
Sports Network | November 12, 2008
College Park, MD (Sports Network) - The 17th-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels have their sights set on the ACC title, and a win over the Maryland Terrapins is essential to keep that dream alive.
North Carolina has won two straight games and five of its last six to improve to 7-2 overall. Last weekend, the Tar Heels were dominant in a 28-7 triumph over Georgia Tech. The only two losses this season have come against Virginia Tech and Virginia, both by three points. Butch Davis has elevated the program to contender status in a much shorter period of time than most expected, a credit to the standout coach and his staff.
As for Maryland, it carried a modest two-game win streak into a road clash with Virginia Tech last time out. The result of that contest was a 23-13 defeat, dropping the Terps to 6-3 overall. Clearly, they must find a way to knock off UNC to keep hope alive for a league title.
North Carolina holds a 36-31-1 series advantage over Maryland, including a 16-13 decision over the Terps last season.
North Carolina is averaging an impressive 30.8 ppg while gaining 327.9 total ypg. The Tar Heels have scored 29 offensive touchdowns, 15 of which have come on the ground. A key to the success of the squad is that it has committed a somewhat low total of 11 turnovers in nine outings. Since taking over as the team's starting quarterback, Cam Sexton has played with a great deal of confidence. He has completed 68 percent of his passes for 1,064 yards and eight scores against three interceptions. Hakeem Nicks has clearly been the team's most dangerous receiver, as the All-ACC candidate has hauled in 50 receptions for 854 yards and eight scores. The ground attack is spearheaded by Shaun Draughn, who has rushed for 589 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
North Carolina did not commit a single turnover against Georgia Tech last weekend, the most obvious key to victory. The Tar Heels got a pair of touchdown passes from Sexton and a pair of touchdown runs from Ryan Houston. Nicks finished with three catches for 72 yards and a score, and he drew plenty of praise from his head coach after the contest. "He is one of the best, big stage players I've ever been around," said Davis of Nicks. "He loves to compete. He loves to play."
Opponents are scoring only 18.4 ppg against North Carolina, which is yielding 349.2 total ypg. Considering the fact that the Heels are permitting fewer than four yards per rushing attempt and fewer than 10 yards per pass completion, they have clearly gotten the job done against both means of attack. A key to the success of UNC is that it has registered 18 interceptions. Trimane Goddard has six interceptions to his credit, and Mark Paschal leads the defense with 80 total tackles.
Last weekend, North Carolina was victimized for 326 rushing yards by Georgia Tech's triple option, which finished the contest with 423 total yards. Fortunately, the Tar Heels were able to come up with three takeaways, the difference in the game. "The defensive line probably won't get credited with very many tackles but their ability to gobble up blocks and hold the line of scrimmage and to be consistent and not jump off the fullback and make some plays was a big key to it," said coach Davis. "The discipline of our linebackers and secondary guys was really good."
"I thought we would be able to run some but we struggled and we got into a throwing contest," said Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen after last week's game against Virginia Tech. "It is tough to win when you can not run the ball." The Terps finished the contest with minus-12 yards rushing on 18 attempts, stunningly poor to say the least. Chris Turner completed 19-of-31 passes for 240 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions, but that solid performance was not good enough to offset the lack of a ground attack. The only touchdown of the game for Maryland came on a 63-yard pass from Turner to Darrius Heyward-Bey in the third quarter.
Overall this season, Maryland is averaging 22.2 ppg and 351.2 total ypg. The Terps are averaging 4.6 rushing yards per attempt and 12.3 yards per pass completion, both of which are impressive figures. Turner has completed 59.4 percent of his passes for 1,668 yards and nine touchdowns against six interceptions. Heyward-Bey has recorded 30 receptions for 496 yards and five touchdowns, while Da'Rel Scott leads the backfield with 729 yards and five scores.
Maryland was outmuscled along the line of scrimmage by the Hokies last week. "I talked to them all week about stopping the run, but Virginia Tech ran the ball down our throats," said a disappointed coach Friedgen. "Hats off to them, they are a good team." VaTech ran the ball 51 times and finished with 273 rushing yards. The Hokies tallied 400 yards of total offense and only turned the ball over once. Maryland's defense was on the field for over 37 minutes, and three different players finished in double figures in the tackle department.
Opponents are scoring a modest 19.7 ppg against Maryland, which is yielding 369.4 total ypg. The Terps have been fairly solid against both the run and the pass, although there is room for improvement against both means of attack. While the team's total of 12 takeaways is a bit low, the 21 sacks registered have clearly helped the cause. Alex Wujciak has 93 total tackles this season, 26 more than his closest teammate.
