2009 North Carolina Tar Heels football team

Last updated

2009 North Carolina Tar Heels football
Conference Atlantic Coast Conference
DivisionCoastal
Record0–5, 8 [1] wins vacated (0–4 ACC, 4 wins vacated)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator John Shoop (3rd season)
Offensive scheme Pro-style
Defensive coordinator Everett Withers (2nd season)
Base defense 4–3
Captains
Home stadium Kenan Memorial Stadium
Seasons
  2008
2010  
2009 Atlantic Coast Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
Atlantic Division
No. 24 Clemson x  6 2   9 5  
Boston College  5 3   8 5  
Florida State  4 4   7 6  
Wake Forest  3 5   5 7  
NC State  2 6   5 7  
Maryland  1 7   2 10  
Coastal Division
No. 13 Georgia Tech * x$  7 1   11 3  
No. 10 Virginia Tech  6 2   10 3  
No. 19 Miami (FL)  5 3   9 4  
North Carolina *  0 4   0 5  
Duke  3 5   5 7  
Virginia  2 6   3 9  
Championship: Georgia Tech 39, Clemson 34
  • $ BCS representative as conference champion
  • North Carolina vacated 8 wins, including 4 ACC wins.
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2009 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 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by third-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 8–5 overall and 4–4 in ACC play to place fourth in the Coastal Division. The Tar Heels lost to Pittsburgh in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. In 2011, North Carolina vacated all its wins from the 2008 season and 2009 seasons. [1]

Contents

Preseason

Key losses

On January 5, 2009 starting wide-receiver Hakeem Nicks announced that he would forgo his senior year in order to enter the 2009 NFL draft. In just three years Nicks had set 14 school records, including career receptions (181), career receiving yards (2,580), and career touchdowns (21). In his senior season, Nicks was named first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference after catching 68 passes for 1,222 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was the only player in UNC history with more than 1,000 yards receiving in a season.

The following are some of the other key players who will no longer play for North Carolina in the 2009 season:

Key returns

For 2009, the Tar Heels are likely to return numerous starters from the previous season. The following players will maintain their playing eligibility and in all likelihood will return for the season:

Special teams:

Recruiting

As of February 6, 2009, Scout.com rated North Carolina's 2009 recruiting class as 5th in the nation, Rivals.com ranked North Carolina's recruiting class as 6th, and ESPN ranked 12th. Joshua Adams (WR) and Kevin Reddick (LB) plan to enroll in January 2009 and do not count against the limit of 25 recruits per year. The other following players have offered North Carolina non-binding verbal commitments. These pledges can become binding when recruits sign their National Letters of Intent on February 4, 2009.

College recruiting information (2009)
NameHometownHigh school / collegeHeightWeight40Commit date
Joshua Adams
WR
Cheshire, CTCheshire Academy6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)200 lb (91 kg)4.5Feb 7, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 78
Hawatha Bell
LB
Matthews, NCDavid W. Butler HS6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)230 lb (100 kg)4.49Nov 22, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 78
A.J. Blue
ATH
Dallas, NCHargrave Military Academy6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)205 lb (93 kg)4.6Aug 9, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 75
Travis Bond
OL
Windsor, NCBertie HS6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)320 lb (150 kg)5.2Jan 19, 2009 
Star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 80
Jheranie Boyd
WR
Gastonia, NCAshbrook HS6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)185 lb (84 kg)4.43Nov 6, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 83
Prizell Brown
TE
Brenham, TXBlinn College6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)259 lb (117 kg)4.65Nov 25, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout: 2 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: N/A
D.J. Bunn
DB
Smithfield, NCSmithfield-Selma HS5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)190 lb (86 kg)4.63Feb 16, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout: 2 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 75
Curtis Campbell
DB
Chesapeake, VAGrassfield HS6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)205 lb (93 kg)4.47Jul 31, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout: 2 stars.svg     Rivals: 2 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 77
David Collins
OL
Kernersville, NCEast Forsyth HS6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)290 lb (130 kg)5.3Mar 6, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 69
Ray Ray Davis
WR
Monroe, NCSun Valley HS6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)197 lb (89 kg)4.6Feb 16, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 77
Justin Dixon
LB
Smithfield, NCSmithfield-Selma HS6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)230 lb (100 kg)4.5Feb 16, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 78
Johnnie Farms
OL
Perry, GAPerry HS6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)306 lb (139 kg)5.2Nov 23, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 78
C.J. Feagles
P
Ridgewood, NJRidgewood HS5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)180 lb (82 kg)N/AJun 27, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout: 2 stars.svg     Rivals: 2 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 40
Hunter Furr
ATH
Lewisville, NCMount Tabor HS6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)204 lb (93 kg)4.4Feb 16, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 76
Angelo Hadley
DB
Seffner, FLArmwood HS5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)190 lb (86 kg)4.5Dec 18, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 74
Erik Highsmith
WR
Vanceboro, NCWest Craven HS6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)170 lb (77 kg)4.45Oct 22, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout: 2 stars.svg     Rivals: 2 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 75
Josh Hunter
DB
Charlotte, NCMallard Creek HS6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)175 lb (79 kg)4.4Oct 9, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 78
Mywan Jackson
DB
Seffner, FLArmwood HS5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)170 lb (77 kg)4.5Jan 8, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 74
Jared McAdoo
DT
Chapel Hill, NCChapel Hill HS6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)290 lb (130 kg)5.06Mar 3, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 80
Josh McKie
ATH
Mauldin, SCMauldin HS6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)180 lb (82 kg)4.5Feb 17, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 76
Donte Paige-Moss
DE
Jacksonville, NCNorthside HS6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)235 lb (107 kg)4.58Mar 10, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout: 5 stars.svg     Rivals: 5 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 82
Shane Mularkey
LB
Norcross, GAGreater Atlanta CS6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)210 lb (95 kg)Jul 7, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout: 2 stars.svg     Rivals: 2 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 73
Kevin Reddick
LB
New Bern, NCHargrave Military Academy6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)230 lb (100 kg)4.65Aug 9, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 78
Bryn Renner
QB
West Springfield, VAWest Springfield HS6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)185 lb (84 kg)4.75Mar 26, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 81
Jerrell Rhodes
RB
Durham, NCCE Jordan HS5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)195 lb (88 kg)4.48Sep 29, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 77
Gene Robinson
DB
Memphis, TNWhitehaven HS5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)170 lb (77 kg)4.5Jan 19, 2009 
Star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 80
Terry Shankle
DB
Norwood, NCSouth Stanly HS5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)170 lb (77 kg)4.43Nov 24, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 79
Donavan Tate
ATH
Cartersville, GACartersville HS6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)200 lb (91 kg)4.5Dec 3, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 82
Brennan Williams
OL
West Roxbury, MACatholic Memorial6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)275 lb (125 kg)4.97Jan 3, 2009 
Star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 77
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 5   Rivals: 6
  • ‡ 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:

  • "North Carolina Commit List for 2009". Rivals.com. Retrieved January 11, 2009.
  • "RecruitTracker 2008: North Carolina". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 11, 2009.
  • "2009 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved January 11, 2009.

Coaching staff

NamePosition [2] Seasons in Position
Butch Davis Head coach3rd
John Blake Associate head coach / recruiting coordinator / defensive line3rd
Ken BrowningRunning backs16th
Jeff ConnorsStrength and conditioning coordinator9th
Steve HagenTight Ends3rd
John LovettSpecial teams coordinator / Defensive Assistant3rd
Sam Pittman Offensive Line3rd
John Shoop Offensive coordinator / quarterbacks3rd
Tommy Thigpen Linebackers5th
Charlie WilliamsWide Receivers3rd
Everett WithersDefensive coordinator / defensive backs2nd

Roster

Wide Receiver
  • 3 Joshua Adams – Freshman
  • 8 Greg LittleJunior
  • 11 Joshua McKie – Freshman
  • 34 Johnny WhiteJunior
  • 25 Lee Browne – Freshman
  • 81 Quentin Plair – Junior
  • 82 Todd Harrelson – Redshirt.svg Freshman
  • 83 Dwight JonesSophomore
  • 85 Rashad Mason – Sophomore
  • 87 Jheranie Boyd – Freshman
  • 88 Erik Highsmith – Freshman
  • 1 Mar'vese Lanier – Junior
Offensive lineman
  • 55 Trey Strickland – Sophomore
  • 62 David Collins – Freshman
  • 64 Jonathan Cooper Redshirt.svg Freshman
  • 65 Cam Holland – Sophomore
  • 66 Mike Ingersoll – Junior
  • 67 Greg Elleby – Junior
  • 69 Lowell Dyer – Senior
  • 70 Alan Pelc – Junior
  • 71 Carl Gaskins – Sophomore
  • 72 Kyle Jolly – Senior
  • 74 Sam Ellis – Junior
  • 76 Travis Bond – Freshman
  • 78 Kevin Bryant – Sophomore
  • 79 Brennan Williams – Freshman
H-back
  • 33 Christian Wilson – Sophomore
Tight End
  • 17 Zack PianaltoJunior
  • 80 Ed Barham – Junior
  • 84 Vince Jacobs – Junior
  • 86 Randy White – Redshirt.svg Freshman
  • 95 Nelson Hurst – Sophomore
 
Quarterback
  • 2 Bryn Renner – Freshman
  • 7 Mike Paulus – Sophomore
  • 13 T. J. YatesSophomore
  • 14 Braden Hanson – Freshman
Running Back
  • 5 Jamal Womble – Redshirt.svg Freshman
  • 23 Steven Hatley – Sophomore
  • 30 Carter Brown Sophomore
  • 40 Hunter Furr – Freshman
  • 45 Devon Ramsay – Sophomore
Tailback
  • 6 Anthony Elzy – Junior
  • 20 Shaun Draughn – Junior
  • 32 Ryan Houston – Junior
Fullback
  • 4 Bobby Rome – Senior
  • 43 Curtis Byrd – Junior
Defensive tackle
  • 9 Marvin AustinJunior
  • 91 Tydreke Powell – Sophomore
  • 93 Cam ThomasSenior
  • 96 Tavares Brown – Senior
  • 97 Aleric Mullins – Senior
Defensive End
Cornerback
  • 10 Melvin Williams – Senior
  • 12 Charles Brown – Junior
  • 16 Kendric Burney – Junior
  • 23 Jordan Hemby – Senior
  • 29 Brian Gupton – Sophomore
  • 37 LeCount Fantroy – Sophomore
 
Linebacker
  • 33 Hayden Hunter – Junior
  • 35 Herman Davidson – Sophomore
  • 36 Kennedy Tinsley – Senior
  • 45 Josh Bridges – Sophomore
  • 47 Zach BrownSophomore
  • 48 Kevin Reddick – Freshman
  • 49 Ryan TaylorSenior
  • 51 Brian Roberts – Sophomore
  • 52 Quan SturdivantJunior
  • 53 Hawatha Bell – Freshman
  • 54 Bruce CarterJunior
  • 55 Linwan Euwell – Sophomore
  • 57 Dion Guy – Redshirt.svg Freshman
  • 58 Ebele Okakpu – Sophomore
Safety
  • 7 Josh Stewart – Junior
  • 21 Da'Norris SearcyJunior
  • 25 Matt Merletti – Junior
  • 27 Deunta WilliamsJunior
  • 28 Jonathan Smith – Junior
  • 32 Tyler Caldwell – Senior
Deep Snapper
  • 51 Trevor Stuart – Junior
  • 61 Mark House – Junior
Punter / Place Kicker
  • 11 Casey Barth – Sophomore
  • 30 C.J. Feagles – Freshman
  • 39 Grant Schallock – Junior
  • 44 Trase Jones – Junior


Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
September 56:00 p.m. The Citadel *No. 21 ESPN360
Bob Picozzi, Paul Maguire
W 40–6 (vacated)58,500 [3] [4]
September 1212:00 p.m.at Connecticut *No. 19 ESPNU
Clay Matvick, David Diaz-Infante
W 12–10 (vacated)38,087 [3] [5]
September 1912:00 p.m. East Carolina *No. 24
  • Kenan Memorial Stadium
  • Chapel Hill, NC
ESPN2
Pam Ward, Ray Bentley
W 31–17 (vacated)58,000 [3] [6]
September 2612:00 p.m.at Georgia Tech No. 22 Raycom
Steve Martin, Rick Walker, Mike Hogewood
L 7–2450,114 [3]
October 312:00 p.m. Virginia
Raycom
Steve Martin, Rick Walker, Mike Hogewood
L 3–1657,500 [3] [7]
October 103:30 p.m. Georgia Southern *
  • Kenan Memorial Stadium
  • Chapel Hill, NC
ESPN360
Ryan Rose, Jeremy Bloom
W 42–12 (vacated)47,000 [3] [8]
October 228:00 p.m. Florida State
  • Kenan Memorial Stadium
  • Chapel Hill, NC
ESPN
Chris Fowler, Craig James, Jesse Palmer, Erin Andrews
L 27–3058,000 [3] [9]
October 297:30 p.m.at No. 14 Virginia Tech ESPN
Chris Fowler, Craig James, Jesse Palmer, Erin Andrews
W 20–17 (vacated)66,233 [3] [10]
November 73:30 p.m. Duke
ESPNU
Todd Harris, JC Pearson
W 19–6 (vacated)59,750 [3] [11]
November 143:30 p.m.No. 12 Miami (FL)
  • Kenan Memorial Stadium
  • Chapel Hill, NC
ABC/ESPN
Bob Wischusen, Brian Griese
W 33–24 (vacated)57,500 [3] [12]
November 2112:00 p.m.at Boston College ESPN2
Pam Ward, Ray Bentley
W 31–13 (vacated)41,272 [3] [13]
November 2812:00 p.m.at NC State No. 23ESPN2
Pam Ward, Ray Bentley
L 27–2857,583 [3] [14]
December 264:30 p.m.vs. No. 17 Pittsburgh *ESPN/ISP Sports
Bob Wischusen, Bob Griese, Chris Spielman, Quint Kessenich/Alan York, Sonny Randle
L 17–1950,389 [3] [15]
  • *Non-conference game
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time

Game summaries

The Citadel

1234Total
The Citadel00066
#20 North Carolina02371040

North Carolina had its best rushing game under coach Butch Davis with 260 total rushing yards (its most since 2004), and Shaun Draughn rushing for 118 yards, his fourth 100-yard rushing game. T. J. Yates threw two touchdown passes and threw for 114 yards. [16]

UConn

1234Total
#19 North Carolina0001212
UConn037010

North Carolina managed to come back by scoring 12 points against Connecticut in the fourth quarter to win the game. North Carolina gained its final two points when Connecticut's senior tackle Dan Ryan was flagged for holding North Carolina's end Robert Quinn in the end zone, which gave North Carolina a safety, with 1:32 left in the fourth quarter. [17]

ECU

1234Total
East Carolina770317
#19 North Carolina7143731

Georgia Tech

1234Total
#18 North Carolina00077
Georgia Tech7301424
GT v UNC 2009.jpg

Virginia

1234Total
Virginia063716
North Carolina00303

Georgia Southern

1234Total
Georgia Southern703212
North Carolina14280042

Florida State

1234Total
Florida State33141030
North Carolina1437327

Virginia Tech

1234Total
North Carolina077620
#14 Virginia Tech0071017

Duke

1234Total
Duke33006
North Carolina3331019

Miami

1234Total
#14 Miami0710724
North Carolina02031033

Miami and North Carolina last met at Miami on September 27, 2008 in a game won by UNC 28–24. Miami is 5–7 all time versus UNC.

Boston College

1234Total
North Carolina21001031
Boston College3100013

The Tar Heels defeated a Boston College team that was playing for an outside shot at a trip to the ACC Championship Game. The UNC defense stifled the Eagles offense for much of the game, holding them to 0 conversions on 13 3rd down attempts. Freshman Boston College quarterback David Shinskie threw for more yards to the Tar Heels defenders than to his own team. His four interceptions were returned for a total of 133 yards, while his twelve completions gained only 101 yards. Tar Heels DB Kendric Burney's interception return for a touchdown was his second in as many games. Cam Thomas added another defensive touchdown on a fumble return. UNC's offense had four turnovers of their own (3 T. J. Yates interceptions, 1 fumble by Erik Highsmith), and struggled to move the ball for much of the game. The UNC running attack was slowed due to a lower extremity injury to Ryan Houston who was sidelined for most of the second half. However, he did return for a 1-yard touchdown run. UNC's stout defense once again came up with big plays in the Tar Heel's fourth straight win.

North Carolina State

1234Total
North Carolina3213027
North Carolina State0147728

Pittsburgh–Meineke Car Care Bowl

1234Total
Pittsburgh0133319
North Carolina737017

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend:██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
AP 21192422RVRV23RVRV
Coaches 20191918RVRVRVRVRV2524RVRV
Harris Not releasedRVRVRVRVRVRVRVNot released
BCS Not released24Not released

References

  1. 1 2 North Carolina has vacated all wins from the 2008 and 2009 football seasons: "North Carolina Response to Notice of NCAA Allegations" (PDF). September 19, 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 11, 2011. Retrieved September 19, 2011.
  2. "North Carolina Coaching Staff Archived December 14, 2007, at the Wayback Machine ." tarheelblue.com. Retrieved on January 28, 2008.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "UNC Football Media Guide, 2011".
  4. "Citadel Bulldogs vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Box Score". ESPN . September 5, 2009. Archived from the original on March 20, 2010. Retrieved March 24, 2010.
  5. "North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Connecticut Huskies Box Score". ESPN . September 12, 2009. Retrieved March 24, 2010.
  6. "East Carolina Pirates vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Box Score". ESPN . September 19, 2009. Retrieved March 24, 2010.
  7. "Virginia Cavaliers vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Box Score". ESPN . October 3, 2009. Retrieved March 24, 2010.
  8. "Georgia Southern Eagles vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Box Score". ESPN . October 10, 2009. Retrieved March 24, 2010.
  9. "Florida State Seminoles vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Box Score". ESPN . October 22, 2009. Retrieved March 24, 2010.
  10. "North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Virginia Tech Hokies Box Score". ESPN . October 29, 2009. Retrieved March 24, 2010.
  11. "Duke Blue Devils vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Box Score". ESPN . November 7, 2009. Retrieved March 24, 2010.
  12. "Miami (FL) Hurricanes vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Box Score". ESPN . November 14, 2009. Retrieved March 24, 2010.
  13. "North Carolina vs. Boston College". USA Today . November 21, 2009. Retrieved March 24, 2010.
  14. "North Carolina Tar Heels vs. North Carolina State Wolfpack Box Score". ESPN . November 28, 2009. Retrieved March 24, 2010.
  15. "Pittsburgh Panthers vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Box Score". ESPN . December 26, 2009. Archived from the original on March 20, 2010. Retrieved March 24, 2010.
  16. "UNC Blasts The Citadel Behind 375 Yards Total Offense". ESPN . September 5, 2009. Archived from the original on September 11, 2009. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  17. "Late Holding Call Dooms UConn's Upset Bid Over UNC". ESPN . September 12, 2009. Archived from the original on September 15, 2009. Retrieved December 29, 2014.