2009 North Carolina Tar Heels football team

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]

2009 North Carolina Tar Heels football
ConferenceAtlantic Coast Conference
DivisionCoastal
Record0–5, 8[1] wins vacated (0–4 ACC, 4 wins vacated)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorJohn Shoop (3rd season)
Offensive schemePro-style
Defensive coordinatorEverett Withers (2nd season)
Base defense4–3
CaptainJordan Hemby, Kyle Jolly, Quan Sturdivant, Cam Thomas, Kennedy Tinsley, E. J. Wilson, T. J. Yates
Home stadiumKenan 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

Preseason

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Key losses

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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

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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:

  • Casey Barth (K), returning leader in field goals made (10)
  • Jay Wooten (K), returning leader in kick-offs (71)

Recruiting

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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)
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40 Commit date
Joshua Adams
WR
Cheshire, CT Cheshire Academy 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 4.5 Feb 7, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 78
Hawatha Bell
LB
Matthews, NC David W. Butler HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 230 lb (100 kg) 4.49 Nov 22, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 78
A.J. Blue
ATH
Dallas, NC Hargrave Military Academy 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 4.6 Aug 9, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 75
Travis Bond
OL
Windsor, NC Bertie HS 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 320 lb (150 kg) 5.2 Jan 19, 2009 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 80
Jheranie Boyd
WR
Gastonia, NC Ashbrook HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 4.43 Nov 6, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 83
Prizell Brown
TE
Brenham, TX Blinn College 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 259 lb (117 kg) 4.65 Nov 25, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: N/A
D.J. Bunn
DB
Smithfield, NC Smithfield-Selma HS 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 4.63 Feb 16, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 75
Curtis Campbell
DB
Chesapeake, VA Grassfield HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 4.47 Jul 31, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 77
David Collins
OL
Kernersville, NC East Forsyth HS 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 290 lb (130 kg) 5.3 Mar 6, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 69
Ray Ray Davis
WR
Monroe, NC Sun Valley HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 197 lb (89 kg) 4.6 Feb 16, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 77
Justin Dixon
LB
Smithfield, NC Smithfield-Selma HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 230 lb (100 kg) 4.5 Feb 16, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 78
Johnnie Farms
OL
Perry, GA Perry HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 306 lb (139 kg) 5.2 Nov 23, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 78
C.J. Feagles
P
Ridgewood, NJ Ridgewood HS 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 180 lb (82 kg) N/A Jun 27, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 40
Hunter Furr
ATH
Lewisville, NC Mount Tabor HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 204 lb (93 kg) 4.4 Feb 16, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 76
Angelo Hadley
DB
Seffner, FL Armwood HS 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 4.5 Dec 18, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 74
Erik Highsmith
WR
Vanceboro, NC West Craven HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 4.45 Oct 22, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 75
Josh Hunter
DB
Charlotte, NC Mallard Creek HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 4.4 Oct 9, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 78
Mywan Jackson
DB
Seffner, FL Armwood HS 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 4.5 Jan 8, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 74
Jared McAdoo
DT
Chapel Hill, NC Chapel Hill HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 290 lb (130 kg) 5.06 Mar 3, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 80
Josh McKie
ATH
Mauldin, SC Mauldin HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 4.5 Feb 17, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 76
Donte Paige-Moss
DE
Jacksonville, NC Northside HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 4.58 Mar 10, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 82
Shane Mularkey
LB
Norcross, GA Greater Atlanta CS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Jul 7, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 73
Kevin Reddick
LB
New Bern, NC Hargrave Military Academy 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 230 lb (100 kg) 4.65 Aug 9, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 78
Bryn Renner
QB
West Springfield, VA West Springfield HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 4.75 Mar 26, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 81
Jerrell Rhodes
RB
Durham, NC CE Jordan HS 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 4.48 Sep 29, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 77
Gene Robinson
DB
Memphis, TN Whitehaven HS 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 4.5 Jan 19, 2009 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 80
Terry Shankle
DB
Norwood, NC South Stanly HS 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 4.43 Nov 24, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 79
Donavan Tate
ATH
Cartersville, GA Cartersville HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 4.5 Dec 3, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 82
Brennan Williams
OL
West Roxbury, MA Catholic Memorial 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 275 lb (125 kg) 4.97 Jan 3, 2009 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/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

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Name Position[2] Seasons in Position
Butch Davis Head coach 3rd
John Blake Associate head coach / recruiting coordinator / defensive line 3rd
Ken Browning Running backs 16th
Jeff Connors Strength and conditioning coordinator 9th
Steve Hagen Tight Ends 3rd
John Lovett Special teams coordinator / Defensive Assistant 3rd
Sam Pittman Offensive Line 3rd
John Shoop Offensive coordinator / quarterbacks 3rd
Tommy Thigpen Linebackers 5th
Charlie Williams Wide Receivers 3rd
Everett Withers Defensive coordinator / defensive backs 2nd

Roster

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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 –   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  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 –   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 –   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 –   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

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DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
September 56:00 p.m.The Citadel*No. 21ESPN360W 40–6 (vacated)58,500[3][4]
September 1212:00 p.m.at Connecticut*No. 19ESPNUW 12–10 (vacated)38,087[3][5]
September 1912:00 p.m.East Carolina*No. 24
  • Kenan Memorial Stadium
  • Chapel Hill, NC
ESPN2W 31–17 (vacated)58,000[3][6]
September 2612:00 p.m.at Georgia TechNo. 22RaycomL 7–2450,114[3]
October 312:00 p.m.Virginia
RaycomL 3–1657,500[3][7]
October 103:30 p.m.Georgia Southern*
  • Kenan Memorial Stadium
  • Chapel Hill, NC
ESPN360W 42–12 (vacated)47,000[3][8]
October 228:00 p.m.Florida State
  • Kenan Memorial Stadium
  • Chapel Hill, NC
ESPNL 27–3058,000[3][9]
October 297:30 p.m.at No. 14 Virginia TechESPNW 20–17 (vacated)66,233[3][10]
November 73:30 p.m.Duke
ESPNUW 19–6 (vacated)59,750[3][11]
November 143:30 p.m.No. 12 Miami (FL)
  • Kenan Memorial Stadium
  • Chapel Hill, NC
ABC/ESPNW 33–24 (vacated)57,500[3][12]
November 2112:00 p.m.at Boston CollegeESPN2W 31–13 (vacated)41,272[3][13]
November 2812:00 p.m.at NC StateNo. 23ESPN2L 27–2857,583[3][14]
December 264:30 p.m.vs. No. 17 Pittsburgh*ESPNL 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

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The Citadel

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1 2 3 4 Total
The Citadel 0 0 0 6 6
#20 North Carolina 0 23 7 10 40

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

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1 2 3 4 Total
#19 North Carolina 0 0 0 12 12
UConn 0 3 7 0 10

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]

1 2 3 4 Total
East Carolina 7 7 0 3 17
#19 North Carolina 7 14 3 7 31

Georgia Tech

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1 2 3 4 Total
#18 North Carolina 0 0 0 7 7
Georgia Tech 7 3 0 14 24
 

Virginia

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1 2 3 4 Total
Virginia 0 6 3 7 16
North Carolina 0 0 3 0 3

Georgia Southern

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1 2 3 4 Total
Georgia Southern 7 0 3 2 12
North Carolina 14 28 0 0 42

Florida State

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1 2 3 4 Total
Florida State 3 3 14 10 30
North Carolina 14 3 7 3 27

Virginia Tech

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1 2 3 4 Total
North Carolina 0 7 7 6 20
#14 Virginia Tech 0 0 7 10 17

Duke

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1 2 3 4 Total
Duke 3 3 0 0 6
North Carolina 3 3 3 10 19

Miami

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1 2 3 4 Total
#14 Miami 0 7 10 7 24
North Carolina 0 20 3 10 33

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

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1 2 3 4 Total
North Carolina 21 0 0 10 31
Boston College 3 10 0 0 13

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

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1 2 3 4 Total
North Carolina 3 21 3 0 27
North Carolina State 0 14 7 7 28

Pittsburgh–Meineke Car Care Bowl

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1 2 3 4 Total
Pittsburgh 0 13 3 3 19
North Carolina 7 3 7 0 17

Rankings

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Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
AP21192422RVRV23RVRV
Coaches20191918RVRVRVRVRV2524RVRV
HarrisNot releasedRVRVRVRVRVRVRVNot released
BCSNot released24Not released

References

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  1. ^ a b 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. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "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.