2007 North Carolina Tar Heels football team

Last updated

2007 North Carolina Tar Heels football
Conference Atlantic Coast Conference
DivisionCoastal
Record4–8 (3–5 ACC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator John Shoop (1st season)
Offensive scheme Pro-style
Defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano (1st season)
Base defense 4–3
Captain Kentwan Balmer, Connor Barth, Scott Lenahan, Garrett Reynolds, Hilee Taylor
Home stadium Kenan Memorial Stadium
(capacity: 60,000)
Seasons
←  2006
2008  →
2007 Atlantic Coast Conference football standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
Atlantic Division
No. 10 Boston College x  6 –2   11 –3  
No. 21 Clemson  5 –3   9 –4  
Wake Forest  5 –3   9 –4  
Florida State  3 –5   7 –6  
Maryland  3 –5   6 –7  
NC State  3 –5   5 –7  
Coastal Division
No. 9 Virginia Tech x$  7 –1   11 –3  
Virginia  6 –2   9 –4  
Georgia Tech  4 –4   7 –6  
North Carolina  3 –5   4 –8  
Miami (FL)  2 –6   5 –7  
Duke  0 –8   1 –11  
Championship: Virginia Tech 30, Boston College 16
  • $ – BCS representative as conference champion
  • % – BCS at-large representative
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2007 North Carolina Tar Heels football team represented the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a member of Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) during the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by first-year head coach Butch Davis, the Tar Heels played their home games at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina finished the season 4–8 overall and 3–5 in ACC play to place fourth in the Coastal Division.

Contents

Previous season

The 2006 North Carolina football team began with the Tar Heels unranked in the AP and coaches' preseason polls. Despite the fact that they were receiving little national attention, there was much optimism in the state of North Carolina. The team got off to a shaky start losing six out of their first seven games. Just days after playing their seventh game of the season, a 23–0 loss to Virginia in Charlottesville, the University of North Carolina announced that head coach John Bunting would be relieved of his duties at the conclusion of the season." [1] After the announcement of Bunting's firing the team arguably became much more competitive and won their last two games of the season, 23–9 against NC State and 45–44 against Duke.

Preseason

Immediately after Bunting's firing on October 22, 2006 there was much speculation over who North Carolina would name their new football coach. Rumors immediately started to circulate that former head coach of the Cleveland Browns and the Miami Hurricanes, Butch Davis, was interested in the position." [2] Athletic director Dick Baddour confirmed the accuracy of the rumors when he announced on November 13, 2006, that Butch Davis had agreed to become the new head football coach." [3] Soon after his hiring, Butch Davis began to assemble his coaching staff. He was able to lure offensive coordinator John Shoop and defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano from the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League (NFL), and defensive line coach John Blake from Nebraska. Blake is regarded by many to be one of the best recruiters in all of college football." [4]

As of March 2007 many publications began releasing preseason rankings for the upcoming football season. Although UNC still ranked in the lower tier of the Atlantic Coast Conference, many publications were impressed with the Tar Heels' hiring of Butch Davis and their top ranked recruiting class." [5]

Recruiting

The Tar Heels received 20 letters of intent on National Signing Day, February 7, 2007. Three student athletes had already enrolled before National Signing Day making this class relatively large with 23 commitments.

US college sports recruiting information for recruits
NameHometownHigh school / collegeHeightWeight40‡Commit date
Marvin Austin
DT		Washington, DCBallou HS6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)295 lb (134 kg)4.68Feb 7, 2007 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 5 stars.svg     Rivals: 5 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 85
Charles Brown
WR		Maple Heights, OHMaple Heights Senior HS5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)190 lb (86 kg)4.47Jan 29, 2007 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 2 stars.svg     Rivals: 2 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 73
Kevin Bryant
OT		Lauderdale Lakes, FLBoyd H. Anderson HS6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)375 lb (170 kg)5.87Feb 7, 2007 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 82
Albert Craddock
LB		High Point, NCSouthwest Guilford HS6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)205 lb (93 kg)4.45Mar 4, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 75
Mike Dykes
OG		Pittsburgh, PAWoodland Hills HS6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)275 lb (125 kg)5.20Jan 24, 2007 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 77
Linwan Euwell
DE		Tarboro, NCSouthwest Edgecombe HS6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)210 lb (95 kg)4.65Feb 2, 2007 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 78
LaCount Fantroy
CB		New Berlin, NYMilford Academy5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)170 lb (77 kg)4.50Jun 17, 2005 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 2 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 40
Carl Gaskins
OT		Melbourne, FLPalm Bay Senior HS6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)255 lb (116 kg)NAFeb 4, 2007 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 2 stars.svg     Rivals: 2 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 40
Brian Gupton
WR		Nashville, TNPearl-Cohn HS6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)185 lb (84 kg)4.50Feb 4, 2007 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 2 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 40
Cameron Holland
OG		Pittsburgh, PAPerry Traditional Academy6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)280 lb (130 kg)4.95Jan 24, 2007 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 72
Ryan Houston
RB		Matthews, NCDavid W Butler HS6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)245 lb (111 kg)4.58Jan 21, 2007 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 79
Dwight Jones
WR		Burlington, NCHugh M Cummings HS6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)210 lb (95 kg)4.61Feb 7, 2007 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 5 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 81
Greg Little
WR		Durham, NCHillside HS6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)215 lb (98 kg)4.55Feb 7, 2007 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 84
Rashad Mason
WR		Nashville, TNPearl-Cohn HS6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)215 lb (98 kg)4.50Feb 4, 2007 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 40
Matt Merletti
CB		Cleveland, OHSt. Ignatius HS5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)185 lb (84 kg)4.48Dec 12, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 2 stars.svg     Rivals: 2 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 40
Mike Paulus
QB		Syracuse, NYChristian Brothers Academy6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)220 lb (100 kg)4.90Apr 28, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 5 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 79
Zach Pianalto
TE		Springdale, ARSpringdale HS6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)220 lb (100 kg)4.63Jan 2, 2007 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 78
Tydreke Powell
DT		Ahoskie, NCHertford County HS6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)295 lb (134 kg)4.90Jan 21, 2007 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 81
Devon Ramsay
RB		Red Bank, NJLawrenceville Prep6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)242 lb (110 kg)4.60Jan 7, 2007 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 68
Da'Norris Searcy
LB		Decatur, GATowers HS6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)195 lb (88 kg)4.50Dec 10, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 40
Jonathan Smith
LB		Durham, NCHillside HS6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)190 lb (86 kg)4.6Apr 11, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 78
Quantavius Sturdivant
LB		Oakboro, NCWest Stanly HS6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)227 lb (103 kg)4.55Nov 16, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 79
Jay Wooten
K		Laurinburg, NCScotland HS6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)180 lb (82 kg)4.8May 19, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 2 stars.svg     Rivals: 2 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 73
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 15   Rivals: 16
  • ‡ Refers to 40 yard dash
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2007 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved March 4, 2007.

Coaching staff

NamePosition [6] Seasons in Position
Butch Davis Head coach1st
John Blake Associate head coach / recruiting coordinator / defensive line1st
Ken BrowningRunning backs14th
Jeff ConnorsStrength and conditioning coordinator7th
Steve HagenTight Ends1st
John LovettSpecial teams coordinator / Defensive Assistant1st
Chuck Pagano Defensive coordinator / defensive backs1st
Sam Pittman Offensive Line1st
John Shoop Offensive coordinator / quarterbacks1st
Tommy Thigpen Linebackers3rd
Charlie WilliamsWide Receivers1st

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 16:00 p.m. James Madison *
 ESPN360 W 37–1458,500 [7]
September 86:00 p.m.at East Carolina *
 CSTV L 31–3443,387 [7]
September 1512:00 p.m. Virginia
Raycom/LFS L 20–2258,000 [7]
September 2212:00 p.m.at No. 23 South Florida *
 ESPN L 10–3737,693 [7]
September 2912:00 p.m.at No. 17 Virginia Tech
Raycom/LFSL 10–1766,233 [7]
October 612:00 p.m. Miami (FL)
  • Kenan Memorial Stadium
  • Chapel Hill, NC
 ESPN2 W 33–2759,000 [7]
October 133:30 p.m.No. 7 South Carolina *
  • Kenan Memorial Stadium
  • Chapel Hill, NC
 ABC L 15–2161,000 [7]
October 2712:00 p.m.at Wake Forest
Raycom/LFSL 10–3733,023 [7]
November 33:45 p.m. Maryland Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Kenan Memorial Stadium
  • Chapel Hill, NC
 ESPNU W 16–1356,000 [7]
November 1012:00 p.m.at NC State
Raycom/LFSL 27–3157,583 [7]
November 1712:00 p.m.at Georgia Tech
Raycom/LFSL 25–2745,490 [7]
November 243:30 p.m. Duke
ESPNUW 20–14 OT52,000 [7]
  • *Non-conference game
  • Dagger-14-plain.pngHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time

Team statistics

  Passing Leader  Cmp  Att  Yds  TD  Int  
T. J. Yates 21836526551418
  Rushing Leaders  Car  Yds  Long  TD  
Johnny White 95399390
Anthony Elzy92321395
Greg Little 59300382
Ryan Houston44145101
Brandon Tate 12131541
  Receiving Leaders  Rec  Yds  Long  TD  
Hakeem Nicks 74958535
Brandon Tate 25479515
Brooks Foster 29417652
  Kicking  XPM  XPA  FGM  FGM  Long  Pts  
Connor Barth 212319225178

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References

  1. ↑ "Pickeral, Robbi (October 22, 2006). "UNC's Bunting Out at End of Season". The News & Observer . Raleigh. Archived from the original on November 18, 2006. Retrieved March 4, 2007.
  2. ↑ "Butch Davis jumps to top of list for North Carolina job." ESPN.com. Retrieved on March 4, 2007.
  3. ↑ "Butch Davis hired to coach at UNC Archived October 2, 2007, at the Wayback Machine ." sportingnews.com. Retrieved on March 4, 2007.
  4. ↑ "John Blake Hired As North Carolina Assistant Football Coach Archived 2007-03-01 at the Wayback Machine ." tarheelblue.com. Retrieved on March 4, 2007.
  5. ↑ "Inside Spring Drills: ACC Preview." rivals.com. Retrieved on March 4, 2007.
  6. ↑ "North Carolina Coaching Staff Archived 2007-12-14 at the Wayback Machine ." tarheelblue.com. Retrieved on March 4, 2007.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "UNC Football Media Guide, 2008".
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