North Carolina To Host Western Carolina On Senior Day In Chapel Hill
North Carolina will play their final home game at Kenan Memorial Stadium this weekend as they host Western Carolina who is a member of the Southern Conference.
Fresh off its first ACC win of the year, Carolina steps out of conference for the final time in 2017 when the Tar Heels host in-state foe Western Carolina Saturday at 3 p.m. at Kenan Stadium. The contest, which is the first between the two schools, is also Senior Day for UNC. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/17/football-carolina-welcomes-wcu-for-senior-day.aspx
Carolina snapped a six-game losing streak last Thursday with a thrilling 34-31 win at Pitt. Anthony Ratliff-Williams became just the third FBS player since 1996 to throw for a touchdown, catch a touchdown pass and return a kickoff for a touchdown in the victory. The sophomore WR/KR also tied a school record with his second kickoff return TD of the year and currently leads the country in kickoff return yardage. Making his first career start, QB Nathan Elliott completed 20 of 31 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns as the Tar Heels won their fifth straight against the Panthers. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/17/football-carolina-welcomes-wcu-for-senior-day.aspx
Western Carolina dropped to 7-4 on the year with a 35-33 home loss to Mercer last Saturday. The Catamounts are led by RB Detrez Newsome and QB Tyrie Adams. Newsome enters the game with 993 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, while Adams has thrown for 2,225 yards and 21 scores. WR Terryon Robinson has team highs of 60 catches for 863 yards and 10 touchdowns. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/17/football-carolina-welcomes-wcu-for-senior-day.aspx
Saturday's game will be broadcast by ACC Network Extra and can be watched online at WatchESPN.com or through the ESPN app on mobile and streaming devices. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/17/football-carolina-welcomes-wcu-for-senior-day.aspx
AT A GLANCE
Records: North Carolina 2-8, Western Carolina 7-4
Rankings: Neither team is ranked.
TV: ACC Network Extra. Dave Weekley (play-by-play) and Stan Lewter (analyst) have the call.
Radio: Tar Heel Sports Network (click to listen), a division of Learfield Communications. Jones Angell (play-by-play), Brian Simmons (analyst) and Lee Pace (sideline) have the call.
On The Web: GoHeels.com | UNC Notes | WCU Notes
Twitter: @TarHeelFootball, @CoachFedora | @WCU_FB "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/17/football-carolina-welcomes-wcu-for-senior-day.aspx
CAROLINA-WCU SERIES NOTES
• Carolina and WCU have never met in football.
• Saturday's contest between the Tar Heels and Catamounts is the first of a two-game series between the two programs. UNC and WCU will meet again next season on Nov. 17.
• Carolina and WCU are also set to meet in men's basketball this season, with that contest coming on Dec. 6 in Chapel Hill. "according tohttp://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/17/football-carolina-welcomes-wcu-for-senior-day.aspx
RATLIFF-WILLIAMS' RECORD DAY
• WR/KR Anthony Ratliff-Williams had a night to remember last Thursday at Pitt. The sophomore was responsible for three touchdowns - a 98-yard kickoff return on the game's opening kickoff, a 35-yard TD pass to Josh Cabrera in the second quarter and the game-winning receiving touchdown in the fourth quarter.
• Ratliff-Williams became just the second FBS player in 2017 to pass for a touchdown and return a kickoff for a touchdown, joining Penn State's Saquon Barkley. After adding the receiving touchdown, Ratliff-Williams became just the third FBS player since 1996 to do all three in the same game. Only D'Eriq King of Houston (2016) and Eric Page of Toledo (2010) had accomplished the feat in the last two decades prior to last Thursday.
• Ratliff-Williams now leads the country in kickoff return yardage with 836 yards on 30 returns. He currently ranks fourth in school history in the category, just 124 yards shy of the school record of 960 set by T.J. Thorpe in 2011.
• Ratliff-Williams was named ACC Specialist of the Week for the second time following his standout performance. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/17/football-carolina-welcomes-wcu-for-senior-day.aspx
Carolina and WCU have never met in football.
• Saturday's contest between the Tar Heels and Catamounts is the first of a two-game series between the two programs. UNC and WCU will meet again next season on Nov. 17.
• Carolina and WCU are also set to meet in men's basketball this season, with that contest coming on Dec. 6 in Chapel Hill. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/17/football-carolina-welcomes-wcu-for-senior-day.aspx
WR/KR Anthony Ratliff-Williams had a night to remember last Thursday at Pitt. The sophomore was responsible for three touchdowns - a 98-yard kickoff return on the game's opening kickoff, a 35-yard TD pass to Josh Cabrera in the second quarter and the game-winning receiving touchdown in the fourth quarter.
• Ratliff-Williams became just the second FBS player in 2017 to pass for a touchdown and return a kickoff for a touchdown, joining Penn State's Saquon Barkley. After adding the receiving touchdown, Ratliff-Williams became just the third FBS player since 1996 to do all three in the same game. Only D'Eriq King of Houston (2016) and Eric Page of Toledo (2010) had accomplished the feat in the last two decades prior to last Thursday.
• Ratliff-Williams now leads the country in kickoff return yardage with 836 yards on 30 returns. He currently ranks fourth in school history in the category, just 124 yards shy of the school record of 960 set by T.J. Thorpe in 2011.
• Ratliff-Williams was named ACC Specialist of the Week for the second time following his standout performance. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/17/football-carolina-welcomes-wcu-for-senio at r-day.aspx
As for North Carolina's last game, they finally got their second win of the season as they defeated Pittsburgh at Heinz Field.
Anthony Ratliff-Williams slipped his silver headphones off his ears and, asked innocently how he was feeling, replied "I'm tired."
Hard to blame him. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/9/football-carolina-snaps-skid-with-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
The North Carolina wide receiver returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, threw for another on a trick play and hauled in the eventual go-ahead score midway through the fourth quarter as the Tar Heels ended a six-game losing streak with a 34-31 victory over Pittsburgh on Thursday. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/9/football-carolina-snaps-skid-with-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
"It's been too long," North Carolina quarterback Nathan Elliott said. "We haven't had that feeling in a long time. You walk in the locker room, you think we're 12-0." "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/9/football-carolina-snaps-skid-with-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
Not exactly. Though it doesn't seem to matter where the Tar Heels (2-8, 1-6 Atlantic Coast Conference) are at when they face the Panthers. North Carolina is 5-0 against Pitt since the Panthers joined the ACC in 2013. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/9/football-carolina-snaps-skid-with-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
Last season, the Tar Heels needed a touchdown throw on the final snap to hold off Pitt. This time, the deciding score came a bit sooner. Ratliff-Williams hauled in a 3-yard flip from Elliott with 6:18 left to bookend an electric night for the sophomore wide receiver. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/9/football-carolina-snaps-skid-with-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
Ratliff-Williams accounted for 230 all-purpose yards for the Tar Heels. He ran through a sea of arm tackles 98 yards to the end zone on the opening kickoff, floated a 35-yard score to Josh Cabrera in the second quarter before catching Elliott's second touchdown pass as North Carolina beat a Power Five conference team for the first time in 369 days. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/9/football-carolina-snaps-skid-with-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
"You go on the road in the ACC and win here, that's a tough thing to do," Tar Heels coach Larry Fedora said. "I'm proud of those guys. It's something they can build off of. The staff and the seniors have done a great job of keeping them close and keeping them believing. Good things are starting to happen."
Nathan Elliott completed 20 of 31 passes for 235 yards and two scores in his first start. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/9/football-carolina-snaps-skid-with-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
"He did exactly what Nathan Elliott can do," Fedora said. "He's been such a great teammate, biding his time, working his butt off, never saying a word, waiting for his opportunity and when his opportunity has come up, he's made something out of it." "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/9/football-carolina-snaps-skid-with-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
Darrin Hall ran for 121 yards and four touchdowns for Pitt (4-6, 2-4), but the Panthers saw their modest two-game winning streak come to an end and now face an uphill battle if they want to lock down a bowl berth for a 10th consecutive year. Pitt finishes the regular season against No. 17 Virginia Tech and No. 7 Miami. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/9/football-carolina-snaps-skid-with-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
"I don't really know how to explain it," Panthers coach Pat Narduzzi said. "We talk all the time about taking it. We found a way to give it away." "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/9/football-carolina-snaps-skid-with-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
PIVOTAL PLAY
The Panthers appeared ready to move in front late in the first half when wide receiver Quadree Henderson darted for the pylon on a jet sweep. Instead, North Carolina's J.K. Britt stripped Henderson before he crossed the goal line . Linebacker Cayson Collins scooped it up and raced 64 yards. Freeman Jones hit a career-best 51-yard field goal to give the Tar Heels a 24-17 lead going into the break. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/9/football-carolina-snaps-skid-with-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
"That's a 10-point swing," Fedora said. "That's a huge play in the game." "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/9/football-carolina-snaps-skid-with-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
PLAYING KEEPAWAY
Elliott wasn't told he was starting until Wednesday, but Fedora made one simple plea to an offense that had committed 20 turnovers coming in: hold on to the ball. The Tar Heels did and rolled up 366 total yards. North Carolina also did something it has struggled with all season, finishing off an opponent. Pitt punted with 2:54 left and North Carolina ran out the clock. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/9/football-carolina-snaps-skid-with-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
"We said if it was 10:30 at night and we didn't turn the ball over we'd be happy," Fedora said. "That's what (Elliott) did, he took care of the football." "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/9/football-carolina-snaps-skid-with-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
HUGE HALL
Hall has effectively put the starting running back spot on lock down. His four touchdowns were the most by a Panther since James Conner scored four times in a loss to the Tar Heels in 2014. Hall has gone over 100 yards in each of his last three games. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/9/football-carolina-snaps-skid-with-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
THE TAKEAWAY
UNC: Elliott likely deserves another look. The sophomore needs work as a passer but his mobility kept Pitt's improved pass rush in check for long stretches. He was at his best late while leading the Tar Heels on the late drive that put them ahead to stay. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/9/football-carolina-snaps-skid-with-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
Pitt: The Panthers are going to need something miraculous to keep their bowl streak alive. Virginia Tech and Miami will both have something significant to play for and Pitt will need to win both if it wants to extend its' season beyond the day after Thanksgiving. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/9/football-carolina-snaps-skid-with-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
As for Western Carolina's last game they lost to Mercer and have a record of 7-4 5-3 in the conference play.
Tyrie Adams threw for a season-high 378 yards and three touchdowns as No. 25 Western Carolina tallied its third-highest total offensive output with 507 yards on Saturday afternoon. However, costly turnovers and big plays in the special teams by Mercer guided the Bears to the upset victory over the Catamounts, 35-33, on Hall of Fame / Senior Day at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field. "according to http://www.catamountsports.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/111117aaa.html
Western Carolina (7-4, 5-3 SoCon) twice pulled to within two points in the fourth quarter on Saturday afternoon including the final tally, but were never able to overtake the Bears after surrendering the early touchdown advantage. WCU managed just one tie at 14-14 in the second quarter. "according to http://www.catamountsports.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/111117aaa.html
WCU committed two turnovers - an interception and a fumble - in the loss. And though only one was cashed in for points by the Bears, both managed to stymie the Catamount offense. Adams was hit by Mercer's Jalen Lee as he released a first quarter pass that found its way into Lee Bennett's diving arms setting-up the Bears' first touchdown on the short field that tied the game at seven. The other turnover was a third quarter fumble that halted another impressive nine-play WCU drive inside the red zone. "according tohttp://www.catamountsports.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/111117aaa.html
Aside from turnovers, it was special teams play that proved to be the difference-maker. After stalling a Mercer drive late in the second quarter, the Bears converted a fake field goal into a 25-yard shovel screen pass from Tanner Brumby to Chris Ellington to grab a seven-point edge on the way to a 14-point cushion late in the first half. But the more decisive special teams blow came in the fourth quarter after WCU had closed to within two points following consecutive field goals of 31 and 38 yards, respectively, by Joshua Gibson. "according to http://www.catamountsports.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/111117aaa.html
On the ensuing kickoff after Gibson's second boot, dangerous return man Chandler Curtis exploited a seam and raced up the right sideline 77 yards to set-up the Bears in perfect field position at the WCU 17-yard line. Mercer's ground-and-pound approach used seven plays to move the final 17 yards with quarterback Kaelan Riley plunging in from a yard out on a fourth-and-goal play with the extra point pushing it to a two-possession game. "according to http://www.catamountsports.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/111117aaa.html
Curtis finished with 184 all-purpose yards including 128 in kickoff returns, 46 on punt returns, and just 10 yards on one catch in his primary wide receiver position. "according to http://www.catamountsports.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/111117aaa.html
Down nine, Adams and the Catamount offense took to the air, closing the deficit back to within two as redshirt senior WR Terryon Robinson ran under a 48-yard touchdown strike from Adams that ultimately provided the final tally. Electing not to on-side kick, the Bears were effective enough to run out the clock as WCU exhausted its final two timeouts to seal the upset victory, Mercer's first-ever in Cullowhee in two tries. "according to http://www.catamountsports.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/111117aaa.html
On the day, Adams spread the ball to six different receivers, five of which had five-or-more receptions. Robinson, already WCU's all-time leader in catches, hauled in nine passes for 119 yards and the touchdown, while his classmate Steffon Hill caught five passes for 77 yards and a score. Connell Young also posted career-highs with eight catches for 76 yards, while sophomore tight end Austin Phillips recorded his first TD catch on an eight-yard strike just before intermission, pulling WCU to within a score, 28-20, at the break. "according to http://www.catamountsports.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/111117aaa.html
Needing just 67 yards for his third, 1,000-yard rushing season, Catamount senior tailback Detrez Newsome was bottled up most of the day by the Bear defensive front. Although the Raeford, N.C., finished with 118 yards of total offense, just 60 of it came on the ground leaving him seven yards shy of 1,000 with one guaranteed game left to play. He did match WCU's career record for rushing touchdowns, scoring the 36th TD on the ground to match Otis McIntosh (1968-71). "according to http://www.catamountsports.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/111117aaa.html
Mercer ground out 217 yards in a determined rushing attack with Tee Mitchell accounting for 120 yards and a score while Alex Lakes scored twice to accompany his 87 rushing yards. It was the second-straight year that Lakes had scored two rushing TDs against the Catamounts. Quarterback Kaelan Riley threw for 102 yards on nine completions, adding 16 rushing yards including the sealing, one-yard TD rush in the fourth quarter. "according to http://www.catamountsports.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/111117aaa.html
Defensively for the Catamounts, Marvin Tillman posted an 11-tackle performance while four players each finished with nine stops apiece. Seniors Keion Crossen, Kendall White, and Daniel Riddle were joined by redshirt sophomore lineman Nate Link with nine stops. Crossen forced a fumble that Riddle recovered on the first play of the second half in one of the many momentum swings on Saturday, while White recorded one of WCU's three pass break-ups. "according to http://www.catamountsports.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/111117aaa.html
Western Carolina (7-4, 5-3 SoCon) wraps-up the regular season portion of its schedule next Saturday, Nov. 18 as it travels to Chapel Hill, N.C., to face the North Carolina Tar Heels (2-8). The Heels, winners last Thursday on the road at Pittsburgh, are winless in six tries at home this season. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 pm. "according to http://www.catamountsports.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/111117aaa.html
Kick-off is set for 3:00pm. The game will be televised on ACC Network Extra. "according to http://www.goheels.com/schedule.aspx?path=football