2011 North Carolina Tar Heels football team

Last updated

2011 North Carolina Tar Heels football
Independence Bowl, L 24–41 vs. Missouri
Conference Atlantic Coast Conference
DivisionCoastal Division
Record7–6 (3–5 ACC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator John Shoop (5th season)
Offensive scheme Pro-style
Defensive coordinator Art Kaufman (1st season)
Base defense 4–3
Captains
Home stadium Kenan Memorial Stadium
Seasons
  2010
2012  
2011 Atlantic Coast Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
Atlantic Division
No. 22 Clemson x$  6 2   10 4  
Wake Forest  5 3   6 7  
No. 23 Florida State  5 3   9 4  
NC State  4 4   8 5  
Boston College  3 5   4 8  
Maryland  1 7   2 10  
Coastal Division
No. 21 Virginia Tech x%  7 1   11 3  
Virginia  5 3   8 5  
Georgia Tech  5 3   8 5  
Miami (FL)  3 5   6 6  
North Carolina  3 5   7 6  
Duke  1 7   3 9  
Championship: Clemson 38, Virginia Tech 10
  • $ BCS representative as conference champion
  • % BCS at-large representative
  • x Division champion/co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2011 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 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was led by interim head coach Everett Withers and played their home games at Kenan Memorial Stadium. The Tar Heels finished the season 7–6 overall and 3–5 in ACC play to tie for fourth in the Coastal Division. They were invited to the Independence Bowl, where they were defeated by Missouri, 24–41.

Contents

Recruiting

After National Signing Day (February 3, 2011) the Tar Heel's recruiting class was ranked as the 16th best class in the nation by the three major recruiting sites (espn.com, [1] rivals.com, [2] and scout.com [3] ). Marquise Williams (QB), Travis Riley (RB), T.J. Thorpe (Ath), Landon Turner (OG), and Sylvester Williams (DT) (Junior College Transfer) all enrolled in January 2011. The entire 2011 recruiting class included 26 players, 22 of which were either four-star or three-star recruits.

College recruiting information (2011)
NameHometownSchoolHeightWeight40Commit date
Kiaro Holts
OT
Indianapolis, INWarren Central HS6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)267 lb (121 kg)5.4Jun 25, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  5 stars.svg     Rivals:  4 stars.svg    (81)
T.J. Thorpe
ATH
Durham, NCC E Jordan HS6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)180 lb (82 kg)4.5Mar 7, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  4 stars.svg    (81)
Travis Hughes
ILB
Virginia Beach, VAKempsville HS6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)224 lb (102 kg)4.57Dec 18, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  4 stars.svg     Rivals:  4 stars.svg    (80)
Travis Riley
RB
Kannapolis, NCA L Brown HS6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)210 lb (95 kg)4.54Apr 2, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (80)
Eric Ebron
TE
Greensboro, NCBen L Smith HS6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)221 lb (100 kg)4.67Mar 18, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (80)
Landon Turner
OG
Harrisonburg, VAHarrisonburg HS6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)308 lb (140 kg)5.3Jul 11, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  4 stars.svg     Rivals:  4 stars.svg    (80)
Jack Tabb
TE
Red Bank, NJRed Bank Catholic HS6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)233 lb (106 kg)4.8Jan 14, 2011 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (79)
Marquise Williams
QB
Charlotte, NCMallard Creek HS6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)217 lb (98 kg)4.75Jun 7, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  4 stars.svg     Rivals:  4 stars.svg    (79)
Norkeithus Otis
OLB
Gastonia, NCAshbrook HS6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)197 lb (89 kg)4.6Nov 5, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  4 stars.svg     Rivals:  4 stars.svg    (79)
Tim Scott
S
Stafford, VAColonial Forge HS6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)176 lb (80 kg)4.4Nov 5, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (79)
Delvon Simmons^
DT
McKeesport, PAMcKeesport Area SHS6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)264 lb (120 kg)N/AFeb 2, 2011 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  5 stars.svg     Rivals:  4 stars.svg    (79)
Romar Morris
RB
Salisbury, NCSalisbury HS5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)173 lb (78 kg)4.36Aug 16, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (79)
Devonte Brown
DT
Fayetteville, NCJack Britt6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)270 lb (120 kg)N/ANov 14, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  4 stars.svg    (79)
Tyler Alberts
DE
Lewisville, NCForsyth Country Day School6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)215 lb (98 kg)4.7Oct 4, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  2 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (78)
Shawn Underwood
DT
Fuquay-Varina, NCFuquay-Varina HS6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)316 lb (143 kg)4.97Jul 13, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (78)
Jarrod James
OG
Pikeville, NCCharles B Aycock HS6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)279 lb (127 kg)5.0Mar 20, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  4 stars.svg    (78)
Keeon Virgile
OLB
North Miami Beach, FLNorth Miami Beach HS6 ft 1.5 in (1.87 m)205 lb (93 kg)N/AFeb 2, 2011 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  2 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (78)
Brandon Ellerbe
S
Wadesboro, NCAnson HS6 ft 0.5 in (1.84 m)199 lb (90 kg)N/AFeb 2, 2011 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (78)
Miller Snyder
K
Charlotte, NCMyers Park HS6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)183 lb (83 kg)N/ADec 15, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  2 stars.svg     Rivals:  2 stars.svg    (78)
Alex Dixon
CB
Clearwater, FLCountryside HS6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)183 lb (83 kg)N/ANov 14, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (78)
Darien Rankin
S
Salisbury, NCSalisbury HS5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)185 lb (84 kg)4.6Jul 7, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (75)
Kameron Jackson
ATH/WR
Madison, ALMadison Academy6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)180 lb (82 kg)4.5Jul 2, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (75)
Samuel Smiley
ATH/DB
Jacksonville, FLWilliam M. Raines HS6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)170 lb (77 kg)N/AFeb 2, 2011 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  2 stars.svg     Rivals:  2 stars.svg    (71)
Stephen Houston
RB
Independence, KSIndependence Community College5 ft 10.5 in (1.79 m)225 lb (102 kg)N/AFeb 1, 2011 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  2 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (N/A (Junior College))
Sylvester Williams
DT
Coffeyville, KSCoffeyville Community College6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)306 lb (139 kg)5.1Dec 15, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  4 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (N/A (Junior College))
Fabby Desir
LB
Scranton, PALackawanna Community College6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)227 lb (103 kg)4.5Feb 25, 2011 
Recruit ratings: Rivals:  2 stars.svg    (N/A (Junior College))
Overall recruit ranking:    Scout: 16    Rivals: 16
  • ‡ Refers to 40-yard dash
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, 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 2011". Rivals. Retrieved February 17, 2011.
  • "Scout.com Football Recruiting: North Carolina". Scout. Retrieved February 17, 2011.
  • "RecruitTracker 2011: North Carolina". ESPN. Retrieved February 17, 2011.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout. Retrieved February 17, 2011.
  • "2011 Team Ranking". Rivals. Retrieved February 17, 2011.

^Delvon Simmons requested to be released from his letter of intent in March 2011. He was granted release, and will not play for UNC.

Coaching staff

On July 27, 2011, UNC chancellor Holden Thorp announced that UNC's board of trustees decided to dismiss Butch Davis as the head coach of the football team. [4] The announcement comes a week before the start of fall training camp. The firing is due to the investigations by the NCAA into academic fraud, impermissible benefits, and talking to agents in the 2010 season. The next day on the 28th, Everett Withers, the defensive coordinator of the past 3 years, was named as the interim head coach. [5] Athletic director, Dick Baddour, also announced, on this day, that he would be stepping down from his role once a new athletic director is found for the university. [6] Baddour added that he wanted the new athletic director to be in charge of hiring the university's next head football coach.

Name [7] PositionSeasons in Position
Everett Withers Interim head coach1st (4th at school)
Brian BakerDefensive Line1st
Ken BrowningRunning backs18th
Tom MyslinskiStrength and conditioning coordinator1st
Troy DouglasDefensive Backs3rd
Art Kaufman Linebackers3rd
Allen MogridgeTight Ends/recruiting coordinator/special teams coordinator3rd
Sam Pittman Associate head coach/offensive line5th
John Shoop Offensive coordinator / quarterbacks5th
Charlie WilliamsWide Receivers5th
Steve SisaSafeties1st

Roster

2011 North Carolina Tar Heels football team roster
PlayersCoaches
Offense
Pos.#NameClass
WR 3Joshua AdamsSo
OL 69Nick AppelRFr
RB 26 Giovani Bernard RFr
QB 15A.J. BlueSo
OL 60 Russell Bodine RFr
G 76Travis BondJr
WR 87Jheranie BoydJr
FB 38Curtis ByrdSr
G 62David CollinsSo
C 64 Jonathan Cooper Jr
TE 85 Eric Ebron Fr
TE 84Sean FitzpatrickRFr
OT 71Carl GaskinsSr
QB 14Braden HansonJr
WR 88Erik HighsmithJr
C 65Cam HollandSr
OL 72Kiaro Holts Redshirt.svg  Fr
RB 32Ryan HoustonSr
OT 68 James Hurst So
TE 89Nelson HurstJr
OL 51Jarrod James Redshirt.svg  Fr
G 63Peyton JenestJr
WR 83 Dwight Jones Sr
RB 44Matt KolojejchickJr
OT 75T.J. LeifheitFr
OL 58Jordan MarshSo
RB 21Romar Morris Redshirt.svg  Fr
FB 39Kenny OwensJr
FB 45Devon Ramsay  Injury icon 2.svg Sr
QB 2 Bryn Renner So
RB 8Travis Riley Redshirt.svg  Fr
TE 80Jack Tabb IIIFr
WR 6Sean TapleyRFr
WR 5T.J. ThorpeFr
G 78 Landon Turner Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 81Reggie WilkinsRFr
OT 73Brennan WilliamsJr
QB 12 Marquise Williams Redshirt.svg  Fr
TE 33Christian WilsonSr
Defense
Pos.#NameClass
DE 86Tyler Alberts Redshirt.svg  Fr
S 10 Tre Boston So
LB 45Josh BridgesJr
CB 12Charles BrownSr
DL 74Devonte BrownSo
LB 47 Zach Brown Sr
S 36D.J. BunnSo
LB 43Curtis CampbellSo
LB 56P.J. ClyburnRFr
DE 90 Quinton Coples Sr
DE 94Adam CurryJr
LB 49Fabby DesirJr
DB 16Alex Dixon Redshirt.svg  Fr
DB 20Brandon EllerbeFr
DT 96Ethan FarmerRFr
S 29Brian GuptonSr
LB 57Dion GuyJr
CB 13Todd HarrelsonJr
LB 9Travis HughesFr
DB 34Kameron Jackson Redshirt.svg  Fr
DL 93Tim JacksonSo
LB 23Darius LipfordSo
CB 31Pete MangumJr
DE 95 Kareem Martin So
S 25Matt Merletti  Injury icon 2.svg Sr
DT 78Jordan NixSr
LB 41Ebele OkakpuSr
LB 52Norkeithus OtisFr
DE 98 Donte Paige-Moss Jr
DE 53Alec PetrocelliRFr
DT 91Tydreke PowellSr
CB 4 Jabari Price So
S 27Darien Rankin Redshirt.svg  Fr
LB 48Kevin ReddickJr
S 1Gene RobinsonJr
DB 7Tim ScottFr
CB 24Terry ShankleSo
DB 11Sam Smiley Redshirt.svg  Fr
S 28Jonathan SmithSr
DT 97Shawn UnderwoodFr
LB 54Keeon Virgile Redshirt.svg  Fr
DT 92 Sylvester Williams Jr
Special teams
Pos.#NameClass
PK 11Casey Barth  Injury icon 2.svg Redshirt.svg  Sr
P 30C.J. FeaglesSo
P 15Thomas HibbardFr
DS 61Mark HouseSr
H 19Trase JonesSr
DS 67Mack LloydSo
P/PK 17Miller Snyder Redshirt.svg  Fr
PK 14Thomas MooreFr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
  • Sam Pittman -Associate head coach/offensive line
  • Ken Browning -Running backs
  • Troy Douglas -Defensive backs
  • Art Kaufman -Linebackers
  • Allen Mogridge -Tight ends
  • Tom Myslinski -Head strength and conditioning coach
  • Joe Robinson -Defensive line
  • John Shoop -Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks
  • Steve Sisa -Safeties
  • Charlie Williams -Wide receivers

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injury icon 2.svg Injured
  • Redshirt.svg Redshirt

Roster
Last update: September 7, 2011

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
September 33:30 p.m.No. 15 (FCS) James Madison * RSN W 42–1057,000 [8]
September 1012:30 p.m. Rutgers *
  • Kenan Memorial Stadium
  • Chapel Hill, NC
ACCN W 24–2253,000 [9]
September 173:30 p.m. Virginia
ESPNU W 28–1755,000 [10]
September 2412:00 p.m.at No. 25 Georgia Tech ESPN L 28–3546,849 [11]
October 18:00 p.m.at East Carolina * CBSSN W 35–2050,610 [12]
October 812:00 p.m. Louisville *
  • Kenan Memorial Stadium
  • Chapel Hill, NC
ESPN2W 14–751,500 [13] [14]
October 1512:30 p.m. Miami (FL)
  • Kenan Memorial Stadium
  • Chapel Hill, NC
ACCNL 24–3060,000 [15] [16]
October 2212:00 p.m.at No. 8 Clemson ESPNL 38–5979,000 [17] [18]
October 293:30 p.m. Wake Forest Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Kenan Memorial Stadium
  • Chapel Hill, NC (rivalry)
ESPNUW 49–2457,000 [19] [20]
November 512:30 p.m.at NC State ACCNL 0–1357,583 [21] [22]
November 178:00 p.m.at No. 9 Virginia Tech ESPNL 21–2466,233 [23]
November 263:30 p.m. Duke
RSNW 37–21 58,500 [24]
December 265:00 p.m.vs. Missouri *ESPN2L 24–4141,728 [25]
  • *Non-conference game
  • Dagger-14-plain.pngHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend:██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
AP RVRV
Coaches RVRVRV25RVRVRVRVRV
Harris Not releasedRVRVRVNot released
BCS Not releasedNot released

Game summaries

James Madison

Week 1: James Madison Dukes
Quarter1234Total
Dukes073010
Tar Heels141401442

at Kenan Memorial Stadium

  • Date: September 3, 2011
  • Game time: 3:30 pm
  • Game weather: 86 °F (30 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 57,000
  • Referee: Tom Zimorski
  • TV announcers (ACC Network): Rich Waltz, Keith Jones, Jenn Hildreth
Game information

This was the first ever game as a head coach for Everett Withers. The Tar Heels never trailed in the game, scoring on the opening drive of the game with a 34 yard touchdown pass from Bryn Renner to Dwight Jones. The Heels gave up only one touchdown, which came off of the ensuing drive after a mishandled snap, which resulted in a blocked punt. In his first ever collegiate start, Bryn Renner set school and ACC records for the highest completion percentage (95.7%) in a single-game and was just shy of the NCAA record of 95.8% set in 1998 by Tennessee's Tee Martin. [26]

Rutgers

Week 2: Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Quarter1234Total
Scarlet Knights0123722
Tar Heels7107024

at Kenan Memorial Stadium

  • Date: September 10, 2011
  • Game time: 12:30 pm
  • Game weather: 82 °F (28 °C), mostly sunny
  • Game attendance: 53,000
  • Referee: Jerry McGinn
  • TV announcers (ACC Network): Steve Martin, Dave Archer, Mike Hogewood
Game information

North Carolina was able to hold on to a 2 point win despite turning the ball over 5 times (2 fumbles and 3 interceptions) and not having a single takeaway. A key defensive stand came in the first quarter when a Rutgers interception was returned to the UNC 2 yard line. The UNC defense was able to hold the Rutgers offense and on 4th down from the 1 yard line held the line of scrimmage forcing a turnover on downs. The UNC defense was also able to hold Rutgers to only 1 yard rushing total for the game, the lowest total since holding Wake Forest to a negative 2 yards in 2000. [27]

Virginia

Week 3: Virginia Cavaliers
Quarter1234Total
Cavaliers037717
Tar Heels01414028

at Kenan Memorial Stadium

  • Date: September 17, 2011
  • Game time: 3:30 pm
  • Game weather: 60 °F (16 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 55,000
  • Referee: Brad Allen
  • TV announcers (ESPNU): Pam Ward, Dan Hawkins
Game information

With its win against Virginia, UNC started their ACC schedule with a win for the first time since 2001. The Heels were able to effectively run the ball against the Cavaliers, finishing the game with 222 rushing yards by 8 different offensive players. The Heels defense recorded their first takeaways of the young season when Matt Merletti recorded 2 interceptions in the fourth quarter to seal the Carolina victory. [28]

Georgia Tech

Week 4: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Quarter1234Total
#25 Tar Heels7071428
#24 Yellow Jackets31411735

at Bobby Dodd Stadium

  • Date: September 24, 2011
  • Game time: 12:00 pm
  • Game weather: 72 °F (22 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 46,849
  • Referee: Ron Cherry
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Bob Wischusen, Bob Davie
Game information

Georgia Tech entered this meeting of unbeatens as one of the top offenses in the nation averaging 53.3 points and 675.3 yards a game. [29] The UNC defense, however, was able to hold them to only 35 points and 496 yards. Trailing 28–14 in the fourth quarter, UNC rallied behind an Eric Ebron touchdown reception and a 55 yard Giovani Bernard touchdown run to tie the game up with 7:22 left in the game. Georgia Tech took the lead for good with a Tevin Washington touchdown run with 5:20 remaining. With the win, Georgia Tech goes to 4–0 for the first time since their national championship season in 1990. [30]

East Carolina

Week 5: East Carolina Pirates
Quarter1234Total
Tar Heels14140735
Pirates0310720

at Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium

  • Date: October 1, 2011
  • Game time: 8:00 pm
  • Game weather: 56 °F (13 °C), mostly clear
  • Game attendance: 50,610
  • Referee: Randy Smith
  • TV announcers (CBSSN): James Bates, Aaron Taylor, Brooke Olzendam
Game information

UNC did not commit a turnover in a game for the first time all season. They were +4 in the turnover margin for the game (2 fumble recoveries and 2 interceptions). Giovani Bernard became the first Tar Heel since Natrone Means in 1992 to rush for over 100 yards in 3 consecutive games. His 7 touchdowns through 5 games ties the individual high for Johnny White as the team leader for the year in 2011. The UNC offense continued to perform in the red-zone scoring touchdowns on 3 of 4 trips, bringing their season total to 15 touchdowns in 18 trips in the redzone. The defense, however, has held opponents to only 7 touchdowns in 18 trips into the redzone so far this year. [31]

Louisville

Week 6: Louisville Cardinals
Quarter1234Total
Cardinals00077
Tar Heels007714

at Kenan Memorial Stadium

  • Date: October 8, 2011
  • Game time: 12:00 pm
  • Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 51,500
  • Referee: Jeff Maconaghy
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Bob Wischusen, Bob Davie
Game information

Despite having the ball for 22:08 in the first half, Louisville only gained 173 yards of offense. This was, however, 113 more yards than UNC going into the locker rooms at the half. In the second half however, UNC outgained Louisville 202 to 95. Louisville's only score of the game came with only 42 seconds left to end the shutout for the UNC defense. Giovani Bernard became the first ever freshman running back to rush for over 100 yards in 4 straight games. With this win, UNC has won 8 straight games against non-conference opponents. Their last lost was against LSU in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game. [32]

Miami (FL)

Week 7: Miami Hurricanes
Quarter1234Total
Hurricanes17100330
Tar Heels01001424

at Kenan Memorial Stadium

  • Date: October 15, 2011
  • Game time: 12:30 pm
  • Game weather: 69 °F (21 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 60,000 [16]
  • Referee: Brad Allen
  • TV announcers (ACC Network): Steve Martin, Dave Archer, Mike Hogewood
Game information

UNC gave up a touchdown in the first quarter for the first time this season. Miami took a 14–0 lead before UNC ever took the field on offense. Miami scored on their opening drive of the game and then, on the ensuing kick-off, recovered a fumble by kick returner T.J. Thorpe and scored on their next play from scrimmage. The Heels nearly made an improbable comeback when, down by 13, they scored a touchdown with 46 seconds remaining in the game. They then recovered the on-side kick on their own 44 yard line. They were able to advance the ball to the 30 yard line after a 15 yard pass reception by Dwight Jones and an 11 yard reception by Giovani Bernard. Bernard also rushed for another 110 yards giving him 5 100+ yard games in a row. This ties for the second most in a season by a UNC freshman. The other two UNC freshmen with this record are Amos Lawrence (who finished with 6 in 1977) and Leon Johnson (who finished with 5 in 1993). [33]

Clemson

Week 8: Clemson Tigers
Quarter1234Total
Tar Heels71071438
#8 Tigers101435059

at Memorial Stadium

  • Date: October 22, 2011
  • Game time: 12:00 pm
  • Game weather: 62 °F (17 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 79,000 [18]
  • Referee: Gary Patterson
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Pasch, Chris Spielman, Urban Meyer, Quint Kessenich
Game information

The Tar Heels turned the ball over 6 times in their 59–38 loss to Clemson. This was the most points allowed by UNC since they gave up 69 to Louisville in 2005. UNC was only down by 7 going into the half and their defense had only allowed 15 yards of rushing up to that point. However, Clemson's 35 points in the third quarter became only the second time in school history to accomplish this feat, the only other time being by the 1981 National Championship team. T.J. Thorpe became only the second Tar Heel in history to record a kickoff return of 100 yards for a touchdown. [34]

Wake Forest

Week 9: Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Quarter1234Total
Demon Deacons0107724
Tar Heels14772149

at Kenan Memorial Stadium

  • Date: October 29, 2011
  • Game time: 3:30 pm
  • Game weather: 52 °F (11 °C), partly sunny
  • Game attendance: 57,000 [20]
  • Referee: David Epperley
  • TV announcers (ESPNU): Pam Ward, Dan Hawkins
Game information

With their win over Wake Forest, North Carolina became bowl eligible for the 4th straight year. The Tar Heel defense caused 5 Deacon turnovers (3 interceptions and 2 fumbles) after Wake Forest had committed only 5 turnovers the entire season coming into the game. UNC's 49 points was the most they had scored in a game since their opener against William & Mary in 2004 and the most against an ACC opponent since the 2001 season. The Tar Heel defense was led by senior Zach Brown who had 9 tackles (2.5 for a loss), an interception, a sack, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. [35]

NC State

Week 10: NC State Wolfpack
Quarter1234Total
Tar Heels00000
Wolfpack733013

at Carter–Finley Stadium

  • Date: November 5, 2011
  • Game time: 12:30 pm
  • Game weather: 46 °F (8 °C), mostly sunny, windy
  • Game attendance: 57,583
  • Referee: Tom Zimorski
  • TV announcers (ACC Network): Steve Martin, Dave Archer, Scott Pryzwansky
Game information

The Tar Heels were shut out for the first time since a 7–0 loss to Georgia Tech in 2006, and their first shut out by NC State since 1960. Bryn Renner was knocked out of the game with concussion-like symptoms early in the second half. The UNC offense had its worst performance of the season, being held to a game low of 165 total yards. Giovani Bernard was, however, able to become the 15th Tar Heel to rush for 1,000 yards in a season and the third freshman to rush for 1,000 yards. The only point in the game in which it seemed UNC was going to put points on the scoreboard was on a 75 yard touchdown reception by Dwight Jones that was called back because of holding on the offensive line. [36]

Virginia Tech

Week 11: Virginia Tech Hokies
Quarter1234Total
Tar Heels7001421
#9 Hokies01014024

at Lane Stadium

  • Date: November 17, 2011
  • Game time: 8:00 pm
  • Game weather: 33 °F (1 °C), clear
  • Game attendance: 66,233
  • Referee: Ron Cherry
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Rece Davis, Jesse Palmer, Craig James, Jenn Brown
Game information

Virginia Tech's Logan Thomas fumbled on the first play from scrimmage when he was sacked by Sylvester Williams. This set up UNC with a 3 play, 20 yard drive that concluded with a Giovani Bernard 4 yard touchdown. After preventing Virginia Tech from converting a 4th down on the UNC 26 yard line, the Heels drove the length of the field to the 5 yard line where Ryan Houston fumbled the ball and it was recovered by the Hokies. The last time that UNC and Virginia Tech played on Thursday night was in 2009 when Virginia Tech fumbled the ball on a drive in the fourth quarter that eventually lead to a UNC victory. After coming 5 yards from taking a 14-0 lead, UNC found itself giving up 24 unanswered points to the Hokies by the fourth quarter. However, with 7:06 left in the game, Bryn Renner completed a pass to Erik Highsmith to reduce the lead to 10 points. After forcing the Hokies to punt on their next possession, Renner completed a 25 yard pass to Dwight Jones, then a 64 yard pass to Erik Highsmith to the 2 yard line where Houston punched the ball into the endzone to cut the lead to 3 with 2:32 left in the game. The Heels recovered the onside kick on the subsequent kick-off, but upon further review, it was judged that the ball did not travel the required 10 yards on the kickoff which gave the Hokies the ball. They were able to run the clock down to where only one play would be left for UNC, who was not able to convert it into a touchdown. [37]

Duke

Week 12: Duke Blue Devils
Quarter1234Total
Blue Devils777021
Tar Heels101010737

at Kenan Memorial Stadium

  • Date: November 26, 2011
  • Game time: 3:30 pm
  • Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 58,500
  • Referee: Jeff Flanagan
  • TV announcers (ACC Network): Rich Waltz, Keith Jones, Jenn Hildreth
Game information

UNC beat Duke for an 8th straight year, the last loss coming in 2003. Dwight Jones broke the single season reception record with 79 receptions for the season. The previous record of 74 receptions was held by Hakeem Nicks. Bryn Renner tied the single season record for most passing touchdowns with 23. In addition, Giovani Bernard ran for a season high 165 rushing yards. Duke quarterback, Sean Renfree, was taken out of the game during the third quarter due to numbness and swelling in his right hand. Because of this, Anthony Boone saw the most snaps of his freshman year and lead the Blue Devils in rushing for the game. [38]

Missouri–Independence Bowl

Bowl: Missouri Tigers
Quarter1234Total
Tigers14177341
Tar Heels737724

at Independence Stadium

  • Date: December 26, 2011
  • Game time: 5:00 pm
  • Game weather: 46 °F (8 °C), 10% chance rain
  • Game attendance: 41,728
  • Referee: Dan Capron
  • TV announcers (ESPN2/SportsUSA Radio): Rob Stone, Danny Kanell, Allison Williams/Rich Cellini, Charles Arbuckle
Game information

NFL draft

RoundPickPlayerPositionNFL Team
116 Quinton Coples DE New York Jets
252 Zach Brown OLB Tennessee Titans

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