u Carolina has not allowed a first quarter point this season, outscoring opponents 21-0.

Transcription

1 North Carolina GAME NOTES GAME 4 vs. Georgia Tech Tar Heels Face first road contest A week after winning its ACC opener for the first time since 2000, No. 25 North Carolina heads to Atlanta looking for its first win at Georgia Tech since The Tar Heels and Yellow Jackets will meet for the 47th time Saturday, Sept. 24, at noon on ESPN. Other than the 2001 Peach Bowl victory over Auburn, Carolina has lost seven straight games in Atlanta, including six vs. Georgia Tech and a non-conference contest vs. LSU in last year s Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game. This is the first road game for the Tar Heels who are 3-0 for just the second time in the last 14 years. In 2009, Carolina began the year with three straight wins only to fall the following week at Georgia Tech, Last week, Carolina won its conference opener with a victory over Virginia. Led by redshirt freshman Giovani Bernard, the Tar Heels ran for a season-high 222 yards and scored four touchdowns on five red zone opportunities. Bernard ran for 102 yards on 12 carries (8.5 avg.), including a long of 40 yards. He also caught five passes for 31 yards. UNC committed just three penalties, had only one turnover and forced three Virginia turnovers, including a pair of interceptions. Georgia Tech enters the game ranked No. 25 in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll and No. 24 in the Coaches Poll. The Yellow Jackets are outscoring their opponents by a margin of , including wins over Western Carolina (63-21), Middle Tennessee (49-21) and Kansas (66-24). A quick glance at the Matchup Georgia Tech leads the nation in rushing yards per game averaging 427.7, while Carolina is second in the ACC and 16th in the country in rushing defense (76.7). These are two of most efficient passing teams in QUICK HITS u Carolina has not allowed a first quarter point this season, outscoring opponents u Everett Withers is the first Carolina coach to start his career 3-0 since George Barclay in Since the ACC began in 1953, no firstyear UNC coach has ever started 4-0. u Carolina s defense has sacked the quarterback 10 times and the offense has allowed just one sack. Seven different players have at least half a sack. u Senior wide receiver Dwight Jones has a scoring reception in every game this year and has four TDs on the season, which matches his career total. Jones has six career 100-yard receiving games. u QB Bryn Renner has completed 81.4 percent of his pass attempts and is ranked eighth nationally in pass efficiency. u Ryan Houston, a native of Charlotte, N.C., has scored 20 touchdowns in his last 28 games. He is in second place among all returning ACC runners in career touchdowns with 21. u Carolina s net punting is 37.2 yards, compared with last year s Walk-on punter Thomas Hibbard is averaging 41.4 yards per punt. u Linebacker Zach Brown leads the team in tackles (24), tackles for losses (4.0) and sacks (2.5). u Carolina has scored on nine of 11 opportunities in the red zone. All nine were touchdowns. The two chances UNC did not convert were a fumble at the 2-yard line vs. Virginia and a victory formation at the end of the Rutgers game. u Durham, N.C., native T.J. Thorpe leads the ACC with a 27.1 kickoff return average. u Redshirt freshman tailback Giovani Bernard has scored four rushing touchdowns through three games. Last season, Johnny White led the team with seven rushing touchdowns. u Quinton Coples is a 2011 preseason All- America by several media outlets. Coples has two sacks this year and is fourth in the country among active players with 18.5 career sacks. Last year, he ranked third in the ACC and 16th in the country in sacks (10.0). u Place-kicker Casey Barth is one of the most consistent kickers in the country. He has made 51 of 63 career field goal attempts and a school-record 82 consecutive extra points. Barth needs just four field goals to surpass his brother Connor s school-record total of 54. u Carolina s three returning starters on the offensive line OT James Hurst, OG Jonathan Cooper and C Cam Holland have combined for 63 starts. u Carolina has advanced to three consecutive bowl games for the first time since going to seven straight from SCHEDULE Day Date Opponent Site TIme, TV special EvenT note Sat. Sept. 3 James Madison Chapel Hill W, 42-10/RSN Rams Club/Youth Day Withers earns his first career victory as a head coach Sat. Sept. 10 Rutgers Chapel Hill W, 24-22/ACC Net NCHSAA Day Tar Heels win despite five turnovers Sat. Sept. 17 Virginia Chapel Hill W, 28-17/ESPNU Football Lettermen s Day Carolina starts 1-0 in ACC play for first time since 2000 Varsity Monogram Day Sat. Sept. 24 at Georgia Tech Atlanta, Ga. Noon, ESPN Carolina has not won at Georgia Tech since 1997 Sat. Oct. 1 at East Carolina Greenville, N.C. 8 p.m., CBS College Tar Heels are vs. the Pirates, including two straight Sat. Oct. 8 Louisville Chapel Hill TBA Carolina is 2-3 vs. the Cardinals Sat. Oct. 15 Miami Chapel HIll TBA Family Day Tar Heels are 4-0 at home vs. Miami Sat. Oct. 22 at Clemson Clemson, S.C. TBA First game at Clemson since 2006 Sat. Oct. 29 Wake Forest Chapel Hill TBA Homecoming Rivalry resumes after three-year hiatus Sat. Nov. 5 at NC State Raleigh, N.C. TBA UNC looking to break four-game losing streak to Wolfpack Thur. Nov. 17 at Virginia Tech Blacksburg, Va. 8 p.m., ESPN UNC won last Thursday night game at Blacksburg in 2009 Sat. Nov. 26 Duke Chapel Hill, N.C. TBA Carolina has won 20 of 21 vs. Blue Devils

2 North Carolina GAME NOTES GAME 4 vs. Georgia Tech NORTH CAROLINA QUICK FACTS Location: Chapel Hill, N.C. Enrollment: 17,895 (undergraduate) Founded: 1789 Nickname: Tar Heels School Colors: Carolina Blue & White Stadium (capacity): Kenan Stadium (63,000) Surface: Natural Grass Conference: Atlantic Coast Chancellor: Holden Thorp Athletic Director: Dick Baddour COACHING INFORMATION Interim Head Coach: Everett Withers Withers Overall Record: 3-0, first year Withers Office Phone: (919) Running Backs: Ken Browning Defensive Backs: Troy Douglas Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers: Art Kaufman Tight Ends/Special Teams: Allen Mogridge Head S&C Coach: Tom Myslinski Associate Head Coach/Offensive Line: Sam Pittman Defensive Line: Joe Robinson Offensive Coord./QBs: John Shoop Safeties: Steve Sisa Wide Receivers: Charlie Williams Defensive Graduate Assistant: Tommy Love Davis Offensive Graduate Assistant: Jason Onyebaugu SUPPORT STAFF Administrative Assistant: Jodie Barchuk Director of Player Personnel: Marcus Berry Quality Control: Michael Buscemi Assistant Equipment Mananger: Jason Freeman IT Services: Andrew Gibson Quality Control: Luke Goodwin Football Center Chef: Jerry Greenwood Adminstrative Assistant: Brenda Haithcock Staff Athletic Trainer: Doug Halverson Director of Football Operations: Joe Haydon Quality Control: Keith Heckendorf Executive Assistant to Everett Withers: Pamela Higley Administrative Assistant: Brittany Holland Associate A.D./Football Admin.: Corey Holliday Administrative Assistant: Melinda Joines Staff Athletic Trainer: Kevin King Director of Video: Chris Luke Equipment Manager/Business Ops.: Dominic Morelli Administrative Assistant: Leea Murphy Operations Assistant: Brian Overton Operations Assistant: Rory Pommerening Assistant Video Director: Darryl Sanders Assistant S&C Coach: Brannon Simpson Director of Kenan Football Center: James Spurling Quality Control: David Thornton Head Athletic Trainer for Football: Scott Trulock Special Projects/Graphics: Tony Tucker Administrative Assistant: Teresa Vanderford Director of Student-Athlete Dev.: Andre Williams Assistant Equipment Manager: Mark Yaekel Lettermen Returning (41): Joshua Adams, PK Casey Barth, OG Travis Bond, CB Tre Boston, Jheranie Boyd, CB Charles Brown, LB Zach Brown, S D.J. Bunn, FB Curtis Byrd, OG Jonathan Cooper, Quinton Coples, P C.J. Feagles, OT Carl Gaskins, LB Dion Guy, Todd Harrelson, Erik Highsmith, C Cam Holland, DS Mark House, TB Ryan Houston, OT James Hurst, TE Nelson Hurst, DE Tim Jackson, OG Peyton Jenest, Dwight Jones, H Trase Jones, LB Darius Lipford, DB Pete Mangum, DE Kareem Martin, S Matt Merletti, Jordan Nix, LB Ebele Okakpu, DE Donte Paige-Moss, Tydreke Powell, CB Jabari Price, FB Devon Ramsay, LB Kevin Reddick, S Gene Robinson, CB Terry Shankle, S Jonathan Smith, OT Brennan Williams, TE Christian Wilson Lettermen Lost (25): TE Ed Barham, CB Kendric Burney, LB Bruce Carter, LB Herman Davidson, TB Shaun Draughn, OL Greg Elleby, OL Sam Ellis, RB Anthony Elzy, LB Linwan Euwell, CB LeCount Fantroy, FB Hunter Furr, DB Josh Hunter, OT Mike Ingersoll, CB Mywan Jackson, Jared McAdoo, OG Alan Pelc, TE Zack Pianalto, FB Devon Ramsay, S Da Norris Searcy, DS Trevor Stuart, LB Quan Sturdivant, TE Ryan Taylor, TB Johnny White, S Deunta Williams, QB T.J. Yates Offensive Lettermen Returning (16): Joshua Adams, OG Travis Bond, Jheranie Boyd, FB Curtis Byrd, OG Jonathan Cooper, OT Carl Gaskins, Todd Harrelson, Erik Highsmith, C Cam Holland, TB Ryan Houston, OT James Hurst, TE Nelson Hurst, Dwight Jones, FB Devon Ramsay, OT Brennan Williams, TE Christian Wilson Offensive Lettermen Lost (13): TE Ed Barham, TB Shaun Draughn, OL Greg Elleby, OL Sam Ellis, RB Anthony Elzy, FB Hunter Furr, OT Mike Ingersoll, OG Alan Pelc, TE Zack Pianalto, FB Devon Ramsay, TE Ryan Taylor, TB Johnny White, QB T.J. Yates Offensive Starters Returning (6): OT James Hurst, OG Jonathan Cooper, C Cam Holland, FB Curtis Byrd, Dwight Jones, Erik Highsmith Offensive Starters Lost (5): OT Mike Ingersoll, OG Alan Pelc, TE Zack Pianalto, TB Johnny White, QB T.J. Yates Defensive Lettermen Returning (21): CB Tre Boston, CB Charles Brown, LB Zach Brown, S D.J. Bunn, Quinton Coples, LB Dion Guy, DE Tim Jackson, Peyton Jenest, LB Darius Lipford, DB Pete Mangum, DE Kareem Martin, S Matt Merletti, Jordan Nix, LB Ebele Okakpu, DE Don te Paige-Moss, Tydreke Powell, CB Jabari Price, LB Kevin Reddick, S Gene Robinson, CB Terry Shankle, S Jonathan Smith Defensive Lettermen Lost (11): CB Kendric Burney, LB Bruce Carter, LB Herman Davidson, DE Linwan Euwell, CB LeCount Fantroy, DB Josh Hunter, CB Mywan Jackson, Jared McAdoo, S Da Norris Searcy, LB Quan Sturdivant, S Deunta Williams Defensive Starters Returning (6*): CB Charles Brown*, Quinton Coples, DE Donte Paige-Moss, Tydreke Powell, CB Jabari Price, LB Kevin Reddick *2009 starter who missed all of last year. Defensive Starters Lost (6): CB Kendric Burney, LB Bruce Carter, DE Jared McAdoo, S Da Norris Searcy, LB Quan Sturdivant, S Deunta Williams Specialist Lettermen Returning (4): PK Casey Barth, P C.J. Feagles, DS Mark House, H Trase Jones Specialist Lettermen Lost (1): DS Trevor Stuart ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS Football Contacts: Kevin Best, , kevinbest@unc.edu Bobby Hundley (players), , bhundley@uncaa.unc.edu Steve Kirschner (credentials), , stevekirschner@unc.edu The Loudermilk Center for Excellence and the Blue Zone opened this fall. Official Website: TarHeelBlue.com

3 North Carolina GAME NOTES GAME 4 vs. Georgia Tech Game Information Rankings: North Carolina is No. 25 in the USA Today Coaches Top 25 poll and received two votes in the AP poll; Georgia Tech is No. 24 in the coaches poll and No. 25 in the AP poll. Broadcast: ESPN, Bob Wischusen (play-by-play), Bob Davie (analys) Tar Heel Sports Network: Jones Angell (play-by-play), Rick Steinbacher (color analyst) and Lee Pace (sideline) provide the call. National Radio: Westwood One, Bill Rosinski (playby-play), David Norrie (color analyst) and Joe Schad (sideline). Website: A live radio broadcast of the Tar Heel Sports Network is available on UNC s official athletic website, TarHeelBlue.com Online Information: TarHeelBlue.com (North Carolina); RamblinWreck.com (Georgia Tech) Satellite Radio Chanels: Sirius 85, XM 85 Associated Press 1. Oklahoma 2. LSU 3. Alabama 4. Boise State 5. Stanford 6. Wisconsin 7. Oklahoma State 8. Texas A&M 9. Nebraska 10. Oregon 11. Florida State 12. South Carolina 13. Virginia Tech 14. Arkansas 15. Florida 16. West Virginia 17. Baylor 18. South Florida 19. Texas 20. TCU 21. Clemson 22. Michigan 23. USC 24. Illinois 25. Georgia Tech RV: North Carolina 2 THE NATIONAL POLLS USA Today/ESPN 1. Oklahoma 2. Alabama 3. LSU 4. Boise State 5. Stanford 6. Oklahoma State 7. Wisconsin 8. Texas A&M 9. Nebraska 10. South Carolina 11. Virginia Tech 12. Arkansas 13. Oregon 14. Florida State 15. Florida 16. West Virginia 17. South Florida 18. Texas 19. Baylor 20. TCU 21. Michigan 22. Clemson 23. Michigan State 24. Georgia Tech 25. North Carolina IN THE POLLS Week-by-Week AP USA BCS Preseason na Sept. 4 na Sept. 11 na Sept. 18 RV 25 na UNC s Top 25 History Last time ranked in AP top 25: Aug. 22, 2010 Last time ranked in AP top 10.: No. 4, 1997 Final Highest AP ranking all-time:.no. 1, Oct. 16, 1948 the country. The Yellow Jackets lead the nation with a pass efficiency mark of 322.7, while Carolina is eighth at Carolina has more than twice as many pass attempts (72) as the Yellow Jackets (33), yet has thrown for two less touchdowns. Carolina is outscoring opponents 21-0 in the first quarter, while Georgia Tech is outscoring opponents COACH TO CURE IN FOURTH SEASON The AFCA will hold its fourth annual Coach to Cure MD effort with the games of September 24. The Carolina coaching staff will be wearing Coach to Cure MD patches this week to raise awareness and funding for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy research. Fans are encouraged to donate online at www. CoachtoCureMD.org or donate $5 by texting CURE to UNC-Georgia TEch Series Notes North Carolina and Georgia Tech are meeting for the 47th time with the Yellow Jackets holding a lead in the series. Georgia Tech leads the series in games played in Atlanta, including a 24-7 decision in The Tar Heels have lost six straight against the Yellow Jackets in Atlanta. UNC s last win was a victory in In that game tailback Jonathan Linton became the first Tar Heel in school history to rush for more than 100 yards and have over 100 yards receiving in the same game. Carolina s last football win in Atlanta was a victory over Auburn in the 2001 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. North Carolina-Georgia TEch Connections North Carolina has just one player on its roster from Georgia linebacker Ebele Okakpu (Roswell). Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson is a native of Newland, N.C. and he earned his bachelor s degree from Western Carolina in 1979 and a master s degree from Appalachian State in He began his coaching career at Avery County (N.C.) High School and also coached Lees-McRae Junior College in Banner Elk, N.C. Georgia Tech defensive coordinator Al Groh was an assistant coach on Bill Dooley s UNC staff from and was responsible for Carolina s defensive ends. Withers in first season as head coach North Carolina named Everett Withers the interim head coach on July 28th to replace Butch Davis just six weeks before the season began. He earned his first win as a head coach with a victory over JMU. Withers is the first African-American head football coach in UNC history and only the fourth in ACC history. The others are Jim Caldwell, Wake Forest ( ), Randy Shannon, Miami ( ) and Mike London, Virginia (2010-present). This is the first head coaching job for Withers, who is in his 26th season as a coach. The Charlotte, N.C., native played football for Mack Brown at Appalachian State and has coached collegiately at Texas and Louisville as well as for the NFL s Tennessee Titans among other destinations. Withers was hired as UNC s defensive coordinator in 2008 and the Tar Heels consistently had one of the league s top defenses in his tenure. He relinquished his role as defensive coordinator to linebackers coach Art Kaufman, and filled his staff with the hiring of safeties coach Steve Sisa. Everett Withers made his head coaching debut with a win over James Madison. Here is a look at previous UNC head coaches debuts in ACC play:.2007 Butch Davis win vs. James Madison.2001 John Bunting loss at Oklahoma.1997 Carl Torbush 42-3 win vs. Virginia Tech (Gator Bowl).1988 Mack Brown loss at South Carolina.1978 Dick Crum win vs. East Carolina 1967 Bill Dooley 13-7 loss at NC State 1959 Jim Hickey loss vs. Clemson 1956 Jim Tatum 26-6 loss vs. NC State 1953 George Barclay 29-7 win vs. NC State Withers presents game balls to every Fire Station in Orange County in observance of 9/11 In observance of the 10-year anniversary of 9/11, North Carolina presented game balls from its win over Rutgers to every fire station in Orange County. Many of the first responders in the 9/11 attacks were firemen and head coach Everett Withers wanted to thank the local fire stations for their service to the Chapel Hill and surrounding communities.

4 North Carolina GAME NOTES GAME 4 vs. Georgia Tech NORTH CAROLINA ON AWARD LISTS Quinton Coples, Sr., DE Walter Camp - Most Outstanding Player Bednarik Award - Top Defensive Player Nagurski Award - Top Defensive Player Lombardi Award - Top Lineman Hendricks Award - Top Defensive End Preseason All-ACC Preseason All-America Pony Express Award (with Paige-Moss, Powell) - Best Combination Tydreke Powell, Sr., Outland Trophy - Top Interior Lineman Lombardi Award - Top Lineman Nagurski Award - Top Defensive Player Preseason All-ACC Pony Express Award (with Coples, Paige-Moss) - Best Combination Donte Paige-Moss, Jr., DE Bednarik Award - Top Defensive Player Nagurski Award - Top Defensive Player Lombardi Award - Top Lineman Hendricks Award - Top Defensive End Pony Express Award (with Coples, Powell) - Best Combination Kevin Reddick, Jr., LB Butkus Award - Top Linebacker Bednarik Award - Top Defensive Player Pony Express Award (with Brown) - Best Combination Zach Brown, Sr., LB Butkus Award - Top Linebacker Nagurski Award - Top Defensive Player Pony Express Award (with Reddick) - Best Combination Jonathan Cooper, Jr., OG Lombardi Award - Top Lineman Dwight Jones, Sr., Bilitnikoff Award - Top Wide Receiver Pony Express Award (with Highsmith) - Best Combination Preseason All-ACC Cam Holland, Sr., C Rimington Trophy - Top Center Casey Barth, Sr., PK Groza Award - Top Placekicker Matt Merletti, Sr., S AFCA Good Works Team Erik Highsmith, Jr., Pony Express Award (with Jones) - Best Duo Players of the Week (as determined by the coaching staff) James Madison: Offense: James Hurst, Bryn Renner, Dwight Jones Defense: Zach Brown, Tydreke Powell Special Teams: Zach Brown, Pete Mangum Rutgers: Offense: Giovani Bernard Defense: Kareem Martin Special Teams: T.J. Thorpe A Win over Georgia Tech would... Improve the Tar Heels to 4-0 for the first time since 1997 Give Carolina a 2-0 mark in conference play for the first time since 1997 Be Carolina s first win on the road in 2011 and would be UNC s fourth straight win in a game played away from home dating back to last year (at FSU, at Duke, vs. Tennessee in 2010) Be Carolina s first win at Georgia Tech since 1997 and first win in Atlanta since the 2001 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. Be Carolina s first win over an AP ranked team since last year s victory at No. 24 Florida State This Day in History (in ACC ERA) - Sept. 24 This is the latest calendar date Carolina has played a road game since a Sept. 24 meeting at FSU in Games played on Sept. 24 in UNC history (since ACC began in 1953) include: 2005: Carolina 31, NC State : FSU 31, Carolina : Louisville 38, Carolina : Carolina 51, William & Mary : Carolina 41, Northwestern : Carolina 10, NC State : NC State 3, Carolina : Oklahoma 13, Carolina 6 Against Ranked Opponents Since Everett Withers arrived in Chapel Hill in 2008 as the defensive coordinator, North Carolina is 6-3 against teams ranked in the AP Top 25 poll. This will be his first game against a ranked squad as the Tar Heels head coach. Carolina won five straight over ranked teams in 2008 (all three) and 2009 (first two), but has lost three of its last four against ranked squads. In its most recent game against a ranked team, Carolina lost against No. 16 Virginia Tech in The last time Carolina faced a ranked Georgia Tech team, the No. 21 Tar Heels beat the 22nd-ranked Yellow Jackets, 28-7, in MORE NOTES FROM VIRGINIA WIN North Carolina trailed for the first time this season with Virginia s second-quarter field goal to open the scoring. Prior to Robert Randolph s 38-yarder with 14:55 remaining in the first half, the Tar Heels had led or been tied for 135 minutes, five seconds. Carolina retook the lead 1:59 later with a touchdown pass from Bryn Renner to Jheranie Boyd. Carolina led at the half for the third straight game. The Tar Heels have allowed 22 first-half points so far in vs. James Madison, 12 vs. Rutgers, 3 vs. Virginia. Senior tailback Ryan Houston scored a pair of rushing touchdowns a 1-yarder in the second quarter and a 2-yarder in the third quarter. It was his first multi-score game since running for a pair of touchdowns against Boston College in 2009 and the sixth time in his career he has scored multiple times. Houston s touchdown runs were his second and third of the season and the 20th and 21st of his career. Fourteen of his 21 career touchdown runs have been for either 1 or 2 yards (10 1-yard TDs, four 2-yard TDs). Houston (21) passed Curtis Johnson (20, ) for 10th in school history in career touchdown runs. Senior wide receiver Dwight Jones finished with five catches for 85 yards and a 17-yard touchdown. Jones has a touchdown in each of Carolina s first three games and four for the season. He had four touchdown catches in his career entering The Tar Heels rushed for a season high 222 yards, their highest figure since rushing for 255 in the 2010 regular-season finale at Duke. Eight different Tar Heels gained 14 or more yards on the ground vs. Virginia. The Carolina defense registered its first takeaways of the season, intercepting two passes and recovering a fumble. Junior defensive tackle Sylvester Williams got the first one when he recovered a Virginia fumble late in the second quarter. Safety Matt Merletti finished off Virginia s final two offensive series in the fourth quarter with interceptions. Merletti came into the game with two career interceptions and doubled that total in a span of two minutes and 37 seconds late in the game. It was the first time a Tar Heel picked off two passes in the fourth quarter since Trimane Goddard at Miami in It was the first time any Tar Heel had two picks in a game since Deunta Williams against The Citadel in Junior wide receiver Jheranie Boyd caught an 18-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter, his second reception of the season and his first touchdown of the year. Redshirt freshman wide receiver Reggie Wilkins had his first career pass completion in the third quarter, a 36-yard strike to Jones. Wilkins took the ball on an end-around before pulling up and throw-

5 North Carolina GAME NOTES GAME 4 vs. Georgia Tech UNC PLAYERS IN THE NFL Marvin Austin, (IR)...NY Giants Connor Barth, PK...Tampa Bay Jason Brown, C...St. Louis Kendric Burney, CB (practice)...carolina Bruce Carter, LB...Dallas Vonnie Holliday, DE...Arizona Jesse Holley,...Dallas Greg Little,...Cleveland Michael McAdoo, DE (IR)...Baltimore Hakeem Nicks,...NY Giants Zack Pianalto, TE...Tampa Bay Julius Peppers, DE...Chicago Robert Quinn, DE...St. Louis Jeff Reed, PK...Seattle Garrett Reynolds, OL...Atlanta Jeff Saturday, C...Indianapolis DaNorris Searcy, DB...Buffalo Gerald Sensabaugh, S...Dallas Quan Sturdivant, LB (practice)...arizona Brandon Tate,...Cincinnati Ryan Taylor, TE...Green Bay Cam Thomas,...San Diego Greg Warren, DS...Pittsburgh Johnny White, RB...Buffalo E.J. Wilson, DE (IR)...Tampa Bay TJ Yates, QB...Houston COACHES ON GAMEDAY Press Box: John Shoop, Offensive Coordinators/QBs Jason Onyebuagu, Offensive GA Art Kaufman, Defensive Coordinator/LBs Tommy Love Davis, Defensive GA Sideline: Everett Withers, Head Coach Ken Browning, Running Backs Allen Mogridge, Tight Ends Sam Pittman, Offensive Line Joe Robinson, Defensive Line Charlie Williams, Wide Receivers Troy Douglas, Defensive Backs Steve Sisa, Safeties ing to Jones. Two plays later Ryan Houston scored from two yards out to give UNC a lead. Redshirt freshman wide receiver Sean Tapley had his first career rush, a 17-yard gain on an endaround in the fourth quarter. Casey Barth made both of his point after attempts, extending his school record to 82 consecutive conversions. Barth did not kick in the second half due to a groin injury. Redshirt freshman PK Thomas Moore replaced Barth and converted his first career PAT attempt in the third quarter. He finished the game 2 for 2 on PATs. Renner completing more than 80 percent of his attempts Quarterback Bryn Renner has completed 81.4 percent of his attempts this season (57 of 70) for 693 yards and four touchdowns. The West Springfield, Va., native completed 15 of 21 pass attempts for 143 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Virginia. He completed 20 of 26 passes for 273 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions in the win over Rutgers. In his first career start vs. JMU, he completed 22 of 23 attempts for 277 yards. In that game, he threw two touchdown passes, both to Dwight Jones, and rushed for another. His only pass not competed was an interception in the second quarter. The touchdowns were the first of his college career (both rushing and passing). Renner s pass completion percentage of.957 vs. JMU is the second-best in NCAA history for a player with 20 to 29 attempts. Tennessee s Tee Martin completed 23 of 24 for.958 against South Carolina on October 31, Renner s completion percentage broke the previous UNC record of.810 set by Scott Stankavage vs. William and Mary in Stankavage completed 17 of 21 that day. Renner s pass efficiency rating vs. JMU was Waiting behind T.J. Yates the last two seasons, Renner entered the year with just two career pass attempts. He was a SuperPrep All-America signal-caller at West Springfield High School in Virginia where threw for 3,123 yards and 35 touchdowns as a senior. Renner played for his father, Bill, a former NFL punter for the Green Bay Packers. Bill Renner is now the head coach at East Chapel Hill High School. Renner is backed up by junior Braden Hanson and freshman Marquise Williams. Hanson, a native of Charlotte, N.C., has appeared in four games (three in 2009, one in 2010) and has attempted just six career passes. Williams enrolled at UNC in January and participated in spring workouts. Renner also played in 15 games on the UNC baseball team in 2010 as a first baseman/designated hitter and had three hits. Renner Sets Records in each of first two weeks Quarterback Bryn Renner set a record in each of his first two career starts. He completed his first five pass attempts against Rutgers, establishing a school record for consecutive completions with 19 (14 vs. JMU, five vs. Rutgers). Renner matched the record of 15 set by Darian Durant in 2001 with a 7-yard completion to Christian Wilson on the first play of the game. He broke the record later on the first drive with a 5-yard completion to Erik Highsmith. His 17th-straight completion was a 66-yard touchdown strike to Dwight Jones. He completed his next two before the streak ended with an interception. In the first week of the season, Renner completed 22 of 23 attempts for 277 yards. Renner s completion percentage of.957 is the highest in Atlantic Coast Conference single-game history for a passer with at least 20 attempts. The previous mark for a passer with attempts was.920 by Terry Jordan of NC State against the Tar Heels in 1992 (Jordan was 23 of 25). Tar Heels Among national leaders in True freshmen playing Carolina played 21 freshmen (11 redshirt, 10 true) in the season opening win over James Madison. The 10 true freshmen included T.J. Thorpe, CB Tim Scott, LB Travis Hughes, P Thomas Hibbard, S Brandon Ellerbe, LB Norkeithus Otis, Devonte Brown, TE Jack Tabb, TE Eric Ebron and Shawn Underwood. Only six other teams in the country played more true freshmen than the Tar Heels in the opening game. Carolina names THREE Season captains Head coach Everett Withers named senior center Cam Holland (offense), junior linebacker Kevin Reddick (defense) and senior place-kicker (Casey Barth) captains for the 2011 season. A fourth game captain will be selected each week during the year. Holland is a three-year starter who is a candidate for the Rimington Award (nation s top center). Reddick has led the team each of the last two years in tackles and is a candidate for the Butkus Award (nation s top linebacker). Barth is closing in on the UNC career mark for field goals (needs five) and is the ACC active leader with 50. Game Captains: Matt Merletti (JMU), Jonathan Cooper (Rutgers), Pete Mangum (Virginia) Tar Heels Second in the league in rushing defense Carolina ranks second in the ACC and 16th in the country in rushing defense, allowing just 76.7 yards per game. In a win over Rutgers, Carolina s defense held the Scarlet Knights to just one yard rush-

6 North Carolina GAME NOTES GAME 4 vs. Georgia Tech CAROLINA RECORD BOOK FIELD GOALS MADE CAREER Rk. Name, Years FGs 1. Connor Barth, (71 atts.) Josh McGee, Casey Barth, 2008-present Clint Gwaltney, Tripp Pignetti, Brooks Barwick, Kenny Miller, Tom Biddle, Jeff Reed, Jeff Hayes, EXTRA POINTS MADE CAREER Rk. Name, Years pats 1. Jeff Hayes, (139 atts.) Tripp Pignetti, Casey Barth, 2008-present Josh McGee, Connor Barth, Box Cox, Ellis Alexander, RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS CAREER Rk. Name, Years TDs 1. Leon Johnson, Mike Voight, Natrone Means, Kelvin Bryant, Don McCauley, Charlie Justice, Amos Lawrence, Ronnie McGill, Ethan Horton, Ryan Houston, 2007-present...21 Power Runner Distance of Ryan Houston scoring runs vs. James Madison...1-yard - vs. Virginia...1-yard - vs. Virginia...2-yards vs. Boston College...1-yard - vs. Boston College...1-yard - vs. Georgia Southern...1-yard - vs. Georgia Southern...7-yards - vs. Georgia Southern...1-yard - vs. East Carolina...1-yard - vs. East Carolina...5-yards - vs. The Citadel...5-yards - vs. The Citadel...3-yards vs. NC State...5-yards - vs. Georgia Tech...2-yards - vs. Georgia Tech...3-yards - vs. Boston College...1-yard - vs. Virginia...1-yard - vs. Notre Dame...2-yards - vs. Connecticut...1-yard - vs. Miami...2-yards vs. South Florida...5-yards Totals...21 TDs - 51 yards ing. Rutgers had five different players rush a combined 21 times for 18 net yards, but quarterback Chas Dodd was sacked four times for 17 yards. The one yard rushing is the fewest by an opponent since Wake Forest rushed for minus two yards in PressuRe on the quarterback Carolina ranks second in the ACC and 16th in the country with 10 sacks for 46 yards. The Tar Heels posted five sacks for 27 yards vs. James Madison, had four for 17 yards vs. Rutgers and had 1 for 2 yards vs. Virginia. Linebacker Zach Brown (2.5), defensive end Kareem Martin (2.5) and defensive end Quinton Coples (2.0) each have at least two sacks. Coples ranks fourth among active players in the NCAA with 18.5 career sacks. Offensive line protection Carolina has allowed just one sack in the first three games this year, which ranks sixth in the country at 0.33 per game. The five schools that have not allowed a sack have played only two games. The lone sack came late in the Virginia game with less than four minutes remaining when Carolina was trying to run out the clock. Carolina s top performers this year have been offensive tackle James Hurst and guard Jonathan Cooper. Houston back for 2011 Senior Ryan Houston is one of three tailbacks employed this year by the Tar Heels, who lost all three of their top runners from a year ago (Johnny White, Shaun Draughn, Anthony Elzy). Houston, a native of Charlotte, N.C., redshirted last year. He was cleared in the NCAA/UNC investigation just before the sixth game of the season and elected to redshirt and return this year. He has scored 20 touchdowns in his last 28 games. He is in second place among all returning ACC runners in career touchdowns with 21. He rushed for a team-best 713 yards on 191 carries and scored nine touchdowns in Houston fractured his right scapula in Carolina s spring game in April. The injury required surgery and Houston was limited to non-contact drills during most of fall training camp. Houston has scored 21 rushing touchdowns in his career and his longest scoring run was a 7-yarder vs. Georgia Southern. He has rushed for a combined 51 yards on his 21 touchdowns (2.4 avg.), including nine 10-yard TD rushes. Bernard bursts on the scene Redshirt freshman Giovani Bernard has started each of the last two games in wins over Rutgers and Virginia. He leads the team with 247 yards on 37 carries and is averaging 82.3 yards per game. Bernard rushed for a season-high 102 yards on just 12 carries in Carolina s win over Virginia. He averaged 8.5 yards per carry. He also caught five passes for 31 yards. Bernard became the first freshman to rush for 100 yards in a game since Greg Little vs. Duke in Bernard scored rushing touchdowns of 12 and 14 yards against James Madison. He is the first UNC tailback to score two touchdowns of 10-or-more rushing yards in a single-game since Jonathan Linton in 1995 vs. Maryland (13 and 22). He also became the first Carolina freshman to score two rushing touchdowns in a game since Anthony Elzy against James Madison in A highly-touted recruit from Davie, Fla., Bernard attended football power St. Thomas Aquinas High School and led the team to back-to-back 5A state titles as a sophomore and junior. He tore his ACL on the third day of UNC s 2010 fall training camp and missed the entire season. In this year s training camp, Bernard suffered a non-displaced fracture of his left hand in a scrimmage on Aug. 15. The injury was not considered serious and returned immediately to practice. Bernard s brother Yvenson was an all-conference running back at Oregon State and currently plays in the CFL. BLUE GETS HIS OPPORTUNITY Sophomore A.J. Blue, who played in six games and had 33 yards rushing as a wildcat quarterback in 2009, is another option at tailback this season. He tore his ACL in 2009 vs. Georgia Southern and redshirted last year. Blue saw his most extensive action of the season in the win over Virginia, rushing nine times for 40 yards. He also attempted a pass in the second quarter, just missing on a long play to Jheranie Boyd. Strength on the O-Line Most observers consider Carolina s strength this season to be on the offensive line where the Tar Heels return three starters, including senior center Cam Holland, junior guard Jonathan Cooper and sophomore tackle James Hurst. Those three have combined for 63 career starts. Junior guard Travis Bond (7 career starts) and junior Brennan Williams (4) are also seasoned veterans. Senior Carl Gaskins has also seen extensive playing time this year. Cooper was an All-ACC selection last year and was named to the Lombardi Award watch list. Hurst was a freshman All-America by several publications in 2010 and may be the best of the five.

7 North Carolina GAME NOTES GAME 4 vs. Georgia Tech FBS FRESHMEN STARTING PUNTERS Player School True/Redshirt Will Baumann NC State True Pablo Beltran Navy True Matt Darr Tennessee Redshirt Justin Duvernois Ilinois True Thomas Hibbard North Carolina True Darragh O Neill Colorado True Spencer Roth Baylor True Mike Sadler Michigan State Redshirt Cole Way Tulsa True Brad Wing LSU Redshirt MOST TRUE FRESHMEN TO PLAY IN WEEK ONE Team opponent True Freshmen Texas Rice 18 Auburn Utah State 13 Virginia William & Mary 12 Tennessee Montana 12 Clemson Troy 12 Ohio State Akron 12 Wyoming Weber State 11 California Fresno State 10 North Carolina James Madison 10 Kent State Alabama 10 Tulane SE Louisiana 10 Arkansas Missouri State 10 Louisville Murray State 10 Indiana Ball State 10 Intercepting passes Carolina has intercepted 60 passes over the last four seasons (20 in 2008, 19 in 2009, 19 in 2010, 2 in 2011). The school record for interceptions is 21. UNC did not pick off its first pass of the 2011 season until the third game of the year vs. Virginia when safety Matt Merletti intercepted two. Barth stays consistent Place-kicker Casey Barth is one of the most consistent kickers in the country. He has made 51 of 63 career field goal attempts and a school-record 82 consecutive extra points. Barth needs just four field goals to surpass his brother Connor s school-record total of 54. Barth owns the school record for most consecutive extra points made (currently at 82). He has not missed an extra point since the season opener vs. The Citadel in He has the highest percentage of made extra points in school history. Last year, Barth earned honorable mention All-ACC honors after converting 19 of 22 field goal attempts, including a long of 49. He made all 38 extra point attempts. Barth is the ACC active leader in career field goals with 51. JONES Picks up where he left off Senior wide receiver Dwight Jones ranks second in the ACC and 12th in the country with 112 receiving yards per game. The Burlington, N.C., native has scored in all three games this year and has four touchdowns on the season, which matches his career total. Jones caught nine passes for 116 yards and two touchdowns in the opener vs. JMU. It was the second two-touchdown game of his career (also at Virginia in 2010). The outing came just one day after the birth of his son in Burlington. Jones finished with six catches for 135 yards and a 66-yard touchdown against Rutgers. It was his second 100-yard game in as many weeks and the sixth of his career. Jones had a breakout season a year ago with 62 receptions and 946 receiving yards, which ranked as the fifth-best single-season marks in school history. He had 198 yards in a win at Virginia and 233 in a win at Florida State. Tar Heels Playing their 121st Football Season Carolina kicked off its 121st football season in The Tar Heels boast an all-time record of Carolina is looking to build on three consecutive eight-win seasons. The Tar Heels have appeared in three straight bowl games for the first time since the 1990s. Carolina Sets Team record in win over JMU Carolina set an ACC team record for pass completion percentage in a game for a team with at least 15 attempts. The Tar Heels completed 22 of 23 attempts (.957) all by QB Bryn Renner. The previous ACC record was.938 by Duke against Georgia Tech in 1960 (15 of 16). Several Tar Heels on National Award lists North Carolina is well represented on the National Award watch lists released during the preseason. All-America candidate Quinton Coples headlines the list. Considered by many draft experts to be among the top 15 prospects in the country, Coples is a candidate for the Walter Camp Award (nation s top overall player), Bednarik Award (top defensive player), Lombardi Trophy (top lineman), Nagurski Award (top defensive player) and the Hendricks Award (top defensive end). Other Tar Heels named to preseason watch lists include Cam Holland (Rimington - top center), Dwight Jones (Bilitnikoff - top wide receiver), Casey Barth (Groza - top place-kicker), Tydreke Powell (Outland - top interior lineman; Nagurski - top defensive player; Lombardi - top lineman), Donte Paige-Moss (Bednarik - top defensive player, Nagurski - top defensive player; Lombardi - top lineman; Hendricks Award - top defensive end), Jonathan Cooper (Lombardi - top lineman), Zach Brown (Nagurski - top defensive player; Butkus - top linebacker), Kevin Reddick (Butkus - top linebacker; Bednarik - top defensive player), Matt Merletti (AFCA Good Works Team nominee). Coples, Jones, Powell named preseason all-acc Seniors Quinton Coples, Dwight Jones and Tydreke Powell were named to the 2011 Preseason All- ACC Football team in voting conducted by the media at the annual ACC Football Kickoff, which was held July at the Pinehurst Resort in Pinehurst, N.C.. Coples earned first-team All-ACC honors last season at defensive tackle where he posted 59 tackles, 15.5 tackles for losses and 10.0 sacks. A native of Kinston, N.C., he ranked third in the league and 16th in the country in sacks per game. He will return to his natural position of defensive end this fall. Jones, a native of Burlington, N.C., led the Tar Heels with 62 receptions for 946 yards in He

8 North Carolina GAME NOTES GAME 4 vs. Georgia Tech earned honorable-mention All-ACC honors after finishing fourth in the league with 72.8 receiving yards per game. Jones had four 100-yard receiving games, including a career-best 233 yards in the win at Florida State. Powell, a native of Ahoskie, N.C., served as a team captain last year and was one of just two defensive players to start all 13 games. He finished the season with 47 tackles and 2.5 sacks. He has been named to the Outland Trophy, Nagurski Award and Lombardi Trophy watch lists. Change in the announce booth For the first time in 40 years, Carolina fans will hear a new voice as the play-by-play announcer for the Tar Heel Sports Radio Network in Jones Angell, who has been a part of the THSN for 11 years, was hired to replace Woody Durham, the long-time voice of the Tar Heels who retired in April. Angell is a native of Jacksonville, N.C., and has worked in a number of roles at the network, including calling play-by-play for Carolina baseball the past eight seasons, which included five trips to the College World Series. He also has served as host and color analyst for football and men s basketball games for the last six years. Angell is a 2001 UNC graduate. Walk-Ons Awarded Scholarships North Carolina interim head coach Everett Withers awarded scholarships for the 2011 season to fullback Curtis Byrd, deep snapper Mark House, holder Trase Jones, running back Matt Kolojejchick, offensive guard Peyton Jenest, defensive end Adam Curry, defensive back Pete Mangum and wide receiver Mark McNeill. Byrd, a native of Durham, N.C., appeared in 10 games last year and started six. He had 11 receptions for 77 yards. House, a native of Wilmington, N.C., is entering his third year as the Tar Heels starting deep snapper. Jones, a native of Roanoke Rapids, N.C., has served as Carolina s holder for the past two seasons. He made a great catch and hold on Casey Barth s gamewinning field goal at Virginia Tech in He also returned punts in A junior from Raleigh, N.C., Mangum played in every game in 2010 and was named the team s special teams MVP. He joined the team in Kolojejchick, a native of Plymouth, Pa., played in eight games, primarily on special teams, in He joined the team in His sister, Kelse, plays on the UNC field hockey team. A junior from Durham, Curry joined the team in Jenest, a native of Davidson, N.C., joined the team in 2008 and has played on both the offensive and defensive lines. He played in four games last year, including the Music City Bowl. Redshirt freshman Mark McNeill joined the Tar Heels last year. He is a midfielder on the UNC lacrosse team who played in all 16 games in A native of West River, Md., McNeill scored 10 points for the lacrosse team. Carolina also added three walk-ons who made the team at an on-campus tryout. The players are Luke Heavner, a wide receiver from Jamestown, N.C.; Maurice Copeland Jr., a fullback from Morven, N.C; and Nic Platt, a wide receiver from Miami. Platt transferred from William and Mary last spring after playing on the Tribe football team in the fall. UNC Football Television/Radio Information The schedule for North Carolina football head coach Everett Withers television and radio shows are set for the 2011 season. Inside Carolina Football with Everett Withers, a half-hour television program seen each week on Fox Sports South, will make its debut on Saturday, Aug. 27 at 9 a.m. The show features highlights of the previous game, interviews with current and former Tar Heel players, and a preview of upcoming action. Fans will have an opportunity to phone in and talk with the head coach every week during the football season on the Everett Withers Live radio show, broadcast Wednesday nights from Top of the Hill restaurant in downtown Chapel Hill. Withers will be accompanied each week by two player guests. The first radio show is set for Wednesday, Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. Jones Angell, who enters his first year as the Tar Heels radio play-by-play man, will host the show. TELEVISION: Inside The Huddle with Everett Withers airs every Saturday morning on Fox Sports South at 9 a.m. throughout the Southeast and every Sunday at 11:30 a.m. on WTVD (Triangle Market). All shows will be available on demand via Time Warner Cable Channel 1234 (a free On Demand channel). RADIO: Everett Withers Live will air Wednesday nights at 7 to 8 p.m. The show originates from Top of the Hill Restaurant in downtown Chapel Hill. Aug. 31; Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28; Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26; Nov. 2, 9, 23 (no show on Nov. 16) Hanburger Named Carolina s acc legend Professional Football Hall of Famer Chris Hanburger has been named Carolina s 2011 Dr Pepper ACC Football Championship Game Legend. The Legends (one from each school) will be honored at this year s Dr Pepper ACC Football Championship Game weekend. They will be honored at the ACC Night of Legends event on Friday, Dec. 2, and during ceremonies at Bank of America Stadium for the 7th Annual Dr Pepper ACC Football Championship, which has an 8 p.m. kickoff on Dec. 3 and will be nationally televised by ESPN in both HD and 3-D. Hanburger ( ), was a standout linebacker and center for the North Carolina teams of coach Jim Hickey in the early-to-mid 1960s. Named a first-team All-ACC selection as a center in both 1963 and 1964, he helped lead the 1963 Tar Heel team to a 9-2 record, a share of the ACC championship and a 35-0 win over Air Force in the Gator Bowl. Drafted on the 18th round of the 1965 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins, Hanburger went on to play 14 seasons in Washington, where he earned nine Pro Bowl selections and was regarded as one of the best outside linebackers of his era. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August at Canton, Ohio, he played in 187 NFL games and was voted to the All-NFL team four times. A mainstay of the dominant Washington Redskin teams of the 1970s, he made 19 career interceptions, returning them for 347 yards and two touchdowns. He led Washington to the 1972 NFC Championship and Super Bowl VII. That year, he was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Year. Originally a native of Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, N.C., he now lives in Darlington, S.C. Merletti on AFCA Good Works Team Senior defensive back Matt Merletti has been named a nominee for the 2011 Allstate American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team. The award recognizes the selfless contributions to volunteerism and community service made by college football student-athletes across the nation. Merletti, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, has been involved in several UNC football community service events, including Habitat for Humanity, SECU Family House, elementary school visits, Volunteer for Youth golf clinic, UNC Children s Hospital visits, Share You Holiday program and Kenan Football Center building tours to youth groups. This year marks the program s 20th year honoring college football players at all levels of competition who stand out for their good works in the community. Since 1992, selection to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team has become the gold standard for off-the-field character and leadership for college football players. The honor is widely considered the sport s pre-eminent community service award.

9 North Carolina GAME NOTES GAME 4 vs. Georgia Tech Everett Withers Interim Head Coach Fourth Season at UNC Charlotte native Everett Withers was promoted to interim head coach on July 28, Withers is in his 24th season as a coach and has experience at both the professional and college level. He has served as Carolina s defensive coordinator and secondary coach the last three seasons. Decimated by personnel losses and injuries in 2010, Carolina s defense still ranked fourth in the ACC and 30th in the country as the Tar Heels played with a new lineup virtually every week. Defensive tackle Quinton Coples earned first-team All-ACC honors and linebacker Bruce Carter was a second-team pick. Following the season, five Tar Heel defensive players were taken in the NFL Draft, including first-round selection Robert Quinn, who missed all of the 2010 season. In addition to his duties as the coordinator, Withers oversees the defensive secondary, which has developed into one of the best units in the country. Carolina picked off 19 passes in 2010 to match the previous year s total, and has 58 interceptions over the past three seasons. Safety Da Norris Searcy, a fifth-round pick by Buffalo, led the team with four interceptions in In 2009, the Tar Heels defense was among the nation s elite, ranking sixth in total defense, 10th against the run, 13th in scoring defense and 14th in pass defense. Carolina was the only school in the country ranked in the top 15 in total yards allowed, scoring defense, run defense, pass defense, pass efficiency defense, third-down defense and tackles for losses. Six Carolina defenders were named all-conference, including first-team picks Quinn, Quan Sturdivant, Kendric Burney and Deunta Williams. Carolina had 19 interceptions and set a single-season ACC record with 508 interception return yards. Withers was nominated in 2009 for the Broyles Award, which is presented annually to the nation s top assistant coach. In 2008, the opportunistic Tar Heel defense ranked eighth in the country with 20 interceptions, just one shy of the school record. Withers came to North Carolina after serving one season as the University of Minnesota s defensive coordinator in Withers spent six seasons with the Tennessee Titans from under head coach Jeff Fisher. From , Withers helped the Titans defense tally 57 interceptions, which was the most for the franchise over a three-year period since The 57 interceptions also ranked fourth in the AFC and eighth overall during that time. The Titans totaled 21 picks in 2004, including 16 by the secondary. In 2002, Withers directed a revamped secondary that added safeties Lance Schulters and rookie Tank Williams. The new arrangement helped the defense earn a top 10 ranking and Schulters six interceptions were the most by a Titans safety since Withers also developed Andre Dyson into a starter as a rookie in 2001 and helped him total 16 interceptions during his four-year Titan career, including six his final season. Prior to working with the Titans, Withers was defensive backs coach under Mack Brown at Texas from Withers joined the Longhorns after three seasons ( ) as defensive coordinator at Louisville. While at Louisville, Withers helped current New York Giants All-Pro cornerback Sam Madison earn All-America honors for the Cardinals. Withers first National Football League experience came with the New Orleans Saints where he worked as defensive quality control in Prior to his experience with the Saints, Withers was defensive backs coach at Southern Mississippi for two seasons ( ) and outside linebackers coach at Tulane in The first three years of Withers coaching career came at Austin Peay, where he was defensive coordinator ( ) and special teams/wide receivers coach (1990). Withers earned his bachelor s degree from Appalachian State in He was also a standout defensive back and captain for the Mountaineers from Withers and his wife, Kara, have two children, Tia and Pierce. Date and Place of Birth: Born June 15, 1963, in Charlotte, N.C. Family: Wife, Kara; daughter, Tia; son, Pierce Education: Appalachian State, 1985 Playing Experience: , Appalachian State, Defensive Back Coaching Experience: , Austin Peay (assistant coach/defensive coordinator) 1990, Austin Peay (assistant coach/special teams/wide receivers) 1991, Tulane (assistant coach/outside linebackers) , Southern Mississippi (assistant coach/defensive backs) 1994, New Orleans Saints (defensive quality control) , Louisville (assistant coach/defensive coordinator) , Texas (assistant coach/defensive backs) , Tennessee Titans (assistant coach/defensive backs) 2007, Minnesota (assistant coach/defensive coordinator) , North Carolina (assistant coach/defensive coordinator/secondary) 2011, North Carolina (interim head coach)