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Oct. 16, 2002
How do you like offense? I wouldn’t plan to buy the cheese nachos until halftime or else you might just miss half the game. This week two of the Atlantic Coast Conference’s best quarterbacks will go head to head in a league showdown that both teams want desperately.
Virginia has not won six games in a row in the same season since 1994. The Tar Heels haven’t won an ACC game this season and are 0-fer in Charlottesville since 1981.
“We’re not thinking about anything but how to get 6 (wins)”, Coach Al Groh told the media Monday.
“We have been a very good team in learning how to play every play, every down, and preparing to be the same team now that we were in January. These guys have a great resolve and have learned to focus on the task at hand.”
So true. During the Cavaliers five game winning streak UVA is making halftime adjustments that seem to pay off. A gap filled here, a 3rd down pass reception there…you name it and Virginia has found a way to win. Everything from special teams tackles inside the 20 to 4th down conversions from option action. It’s coaching, it’s attitude, it’s buying into the program…and it’s not getting caught up in the hype. The kids are keeping a pretty level head.
North Carolina is good. Quarterback Darian Durant leads the ACC in total offense and passing yards and is third in pass efficiency. Against Arizona State, a bona fide road win for the ‘Heels, Durant threw for 417 yards and five touchdowns….UNC records. He also racked up 426 yards of total offense just to set another record. He has 12 touchdowns total and 8 interceptions in 2002 and Coach Groh thinks he will be the best we’ve seen so far. But he can’t do it alone. The Carolina offensive line has given up 21 sacks…and defensively teams are scoring an average of 31 points against the Carolina blue.
Last Saturday NC State abandoned the finesse and ran right at the Tar Heels. NC State freshman running back T.A. McClendon totaled 164 yards helping the ‘Pack overcome a 10 point, 3rd quarter deficit.
Let’s also remember last year…Matt Schaub threw for 334 yards against UNC…a career high.
Virginia has several questions that need to be answered before Saturday. One of the main concerns is leading tackler Angelo Crowell and his availability from the slight knee injury he suffered against Clemson. My guess at this part of the week is he will play, but how many plays are up in the air.
The Virginia-Carolina game could be another photo finish. The Tar Heels are blessed with a kicking game that features Dan Orner who tied an NCAA record with three field goals over 50 yards against Syracuse. Granted…no wind, inside a dome…but three over 50? That’s impressive. And the ‘Heels are averaging more yards per game than any Carolina team since ’95…and they have faced the likes of Texas, NC State, and Arizona State.
John Bunting, their head coach has never lost to a Virginia team either…he was 3-0 as a player…and won last year’s game in Blue Heaven.
Contain Durant…run the ball…and keep the clock in our favor are the keys. Remember…the home team has won 11 of the last 13 in this series since 1989 including the last 8.