Hakeem Nicks did all he could for North Carolina (8-5, 4-4 ACC).
He took three of T.J. Yates’ passes for touchdowns and totaled 217 yards in a performance that will likely increase the likelihood that Nicks departs for the greener pastures of the NFL. He may, in fact, corral quite a bit of green as a potential 2nd-round WR pick.
A fourth-quarter fumble by Shaun Draughn on the Mountaineers’ 29-yard line and an interception carelessly tossed by Yates in the final possession were the final nails in the coffin, but the Tar Heels also failed to stop West Virginia’s passing game and 3rd-down offense.
West Virginia quarterback Pat White was an incredibly efficient 27 of 33 for 334 yards. He also ran for 56 yards on 21 attempts, though UNC was much more effective at stopping his legs than they were his arm. The Mountaineers continuously converted short third downs (12 of 19 overall), and yet the Heels still had more than enough opportunities to win the game.
Draughn’s fumble can mostly be excused. He was wrapped up and almost down, with his legs bent awkwardly under him. He held tight to the ball, but it was ripped away before any elbow, buttock, knee, arm, etc. could find the turf first.
Yates’ interception, on the other hand, was totally inexcusable. He stared down his receiver, threw into heavy coverage, and was easily picked off.
This is the way the regular season went. When North Carolina secured the football, they won, compiling a +8 turnover margin in their eight wins. In the four games they lost, the Tar Heels had a far less impressive -4 turnover margin.
This team, and their leader Yates, will be presumably more mature and obviously more experienced when they take the field next fall. Hopefully, there will be a lower incidence of unacceptable mistakes like Yates’ 4th-quarter interception.
Though they will lose senior playmaker Brandon Tate and possibly Nicks (to the NFL), there are plenty of reasons for UNC to be hopeful for 2009, including another strong recruiting class on the way.
Butch Davis might want to duct tape a football to every single offensive player’s hands in the offseason. The lesson is simple. Give the ball to the other team and you are going to lose.
