MEINEKE CAR CARE BOWL (Pitt vs NC)
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MEINEKE CAR CARE BOWL
17-Pitt vs. North Carolina
When: 3:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Where: Charlotte, N.C.
Records: Pittsburgh 9-3, North Carolina 8-4
Line: Pitt by 21/2
Records vs. bowl teams: Pittsburgh 4-2, North Carolina 5-2
Schedule strength: Pittsburgh 32nd, North Carolina 10th
Why you should watch: This postseason game remains the biggest success story among minor bowls. For the fourth time in eight years, it has sold out all 72,000 seats, guaranteeing a noisy, excited house. They'll see an appealing matchup of pro-style offenses directed by former NFL coaches. Dave Wannstedt has rebuilt the Panthers, his alma mater, and Butch Davis is making progress with the Tar Heels.
Key stats: Pitt is 29th in the nation in rush offense behind freshman TB Dion Lewis, who has run for 1,640 yards and 16 touchdowns. Lewis averages 136.7 yards, which is third nationally. UNC has the No. 9 rush defense in the nation, allowing just 92.8 yards.
Keep an eye on: Lewis wasn't a big recruit literally (5 feet 8 inches) or figuratively (a two- or three-star prospect), but has produced huge numbers in his first season. He has had nine 100-yard games, including three outings of at least 180 yards. He also had six games with at least two rushing touchdowns.
X-factor: Watch North Carolina's defense. The Tar Heels forced 28 turnovers and needed their defense to put points on the board this season.
Pitt will win if: The Panthers shake off the immense disappointment of losing the Big East title and BCS bowl bid by a matter of seconds to Cincinnati on Dec. 5.
North Carolina will win if: The Tar Heels play off the huge pro-Carolina crowd and bring the heat on Panthers QB Bill Stull, who struggled in Pitt's three losses. UNC's ball-hawking secondary had 11 picks in its last three ACC games.
— David Fox, Rivals.com
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MEINEKE CAR CARE BOWL PREVIEW
Key players for the Panthers:
[# 11] Bill Stull QB 6'3" 215 (Senior):
64.6% Comp, 2470 Yards, 8.1 Yds/Att, 21 TD's
[# 28] Dion Lewis RB 5'8" 190 (Freshman):
297 Attempts, 1640 Yards, 5.5 Yds/Att, 16 TD's
[# 82] Jonathan Baldwin WR 6'5" 220 (Sophomore):
54 Receptions, 1080 Yards, 20.0 Avg, 8 TD's
[# 2] Dorin Dickerson WR 6'2" 230 (Senior):
45 Receptions, 508 Yards, 11.3 Avg, 10 TD's
Key players for the Tar Heels:
[# 13] T.J. Yates QB 6'3" 215 (Junior):
60.4% Comp, 1953 Yards, 6.0 Yds/Att, 12 TD's
[# 8] Greg Little WR 6'3" 220 (Junior):
55 Receptions, 637 Yards, 11.6 Avg, 3 TD's
[# 27] Deunta Williams S 6'2" 205 (Junior):
6 INT's, 114 Yards
[# 16] Kendric Burney CB 5'9" 185 (Junior):
5 INT's. 200 Yards
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MEINEKE CAR CARE BOWL PREVIEW
Key players for the Panthers:
[# 11] Bill Stull QB 6'3" 215 (Senior):
64.6% Comp, 2470 Yards, 8.1 Yds/Att, 21 TD's
[# 28] Dion Lewis RB 5'8" 190 (Freshman):
297 Attempts, 1640 Yards, 5.5 Yds/Att, 16 TD's
[# 82] Jonathan Baldwin WR 6'5" 220 (Sophomore):
54 Receptions, 1080 Yards, 20.0 Avg, 8 TD's
[# 2] Dorin Dickerson WR 6'2" 230 (Senior):
45 Receptions, 508 Yards, 11.3 Avg, 10 TD's
Key players for the Tar Heels:
[# 13] T.J. Yates QB 6'3" 215 (Junior):
60.4% Comp, 1953 Yards, 6.0 Yds/Att, 12 TD's
[# 8] Greg Little WR 6'3" 220 (Junior):
55 Receptions, 637 Yards, 11.6 Avg, 3 TD's
[# 27] Deunta Williams S 6'2" 205 (Junior):
6 INT's, 114 Yards
[# 16] Kendric Burney CB 5'9" 185 (Junior):
5 INT's. 200 Yards
MEINEKE CAR CARE BOWL PREVIEW
Key players for the Panthers:
[# 11] Bill Stull QB 6'3" 215 (Senior):
64.6% Comp, 2470 Yards, 8.1 Yds/Att, 21 TD's
[# 28] Dion Lewis RB 5'8" 190 (Freshman):
297 Attempts, 1640 Yards, 5.5 Yds/Att, 16 TD's
[# 82] Jonathan Baldwin WR 6'5" 220 (Sophomore):
54 Receptions, 1080 Yards, 20.0 Avg, 8 TD's
[# 2] Dorin Dickerson WR 6'2" 230 (Senior):
45 Receptions, 508 Yards, 11.3 Avg, 10 TD's
Key players for the Tar Heels:
[# 13] T.J. Yates QB 6'3" 215 (Junior):
60.4% Comp, 1953 Yards, 6.0 Yds/Att, 12 TD's
[# 8] Greg Little WR 6'3" 220 (Junior):
55 Receptions, 637 Yards, 11.6 Avg, 3 TD's
[# 27] Deunta Williams S 6'2" 205 (Junior):
6 INT's, 114 Yards
[# 16] Kendric Burney CB 5'9" 185 (Junior):
5 INT's. 200 Yards
I am sitting here at the game..................will provide insights of who can play if I stay sober
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Early on in the WR war, Dickerson dropped a sure TD for Pitt and #8 Greg Little made a spectacular catch at the sidelines for NC ....
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Man, I really like Greg Little. Talk about a WR that catches everything. Only thing is that Chris Speilman talked about how he spent a week with the kid a year or two ago at a camp and he didn't sound as if he approved of the kids attitude, it wasn't a ringing endorsement on the kids persona ... however, no question about his hands and being physical enough for the NFL.
After a first quarter TD, Little punted the ball into the stands and drew a penalty ... no big deal, but that is waht prompted Spielman to question his character.
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Updates on some of the UNC guys:
When asked specifically about his plans after what may very well have been his final game as a college player, [defensive tackle Marvin] Austin said simply that he has “some things think about.”
Although his final decision won’t be made for another couple of weeks – until he’s had a chance to talk to his mother, his former high school coach and Davis – Austin’s comments at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday sure sounded like those of a player who is leaning toward leaving.
Like Austin, junior cornerback Kendric Burney said he plans to go home and speak with his parents before deciding whether to turn professional or return to school for his final season of eligibility.
Though his stock is clearly high after a season in which he intercepted four passes, including two for touchdowns, while setting an ACC record for return yardage, Burney’s size could possibly affect his draft status and convince him to come back.
“I just want to relax right now, see my family and things like that,” the 5-8, 180-pound Jacksonville native said. “But here in the next week or so I’ll definitely make a decision.”
Two juniors, safety Deunta Williams and wide receiver Greg Little both said Saturday that they have no interest in the NFL draft this season and will be back for their senior seasons. Two others, linebackers Bruce Carter and Quan Sturdivant, were not made available to the media and did not voice their opinions on the subject.
via here.
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wide receiver Greg Little both said Saturday that they have no interest in the NFL draft this season and will be back for their senior seasons.
I look forward to watching more of this North Carolina WR next season.
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