After National Signing Day (February 3, 2011) the Tar Heel's recruiting class was ranked as the 16th best class in the nation by the three major recruiting sites (espn.com,[1] rivals.com,[2] and scout.com[3]). Marquise Williams (QB), Travis Riley (RB), T.J. Thorpe (Ath), Landon Turner (OG), and Sylvester Williams (DT) (Junior College Transfer) all enrolled in January 2011. The entire 2011 recruiting class included 26 players, 22 of which were either four-star or three-star recruits.
^Delvon Simmons requested to be released from his letter of intent in March 2011. He was granted release, and will not play for UNC.
Coaching staff
On July 27, 2011, UNC chancellor Holden Thorp announced that UNC's board of trustees decided to dismiss Butch Davis as the head coach of the football team.[4] The announcement comes a week before the start of fall training camp. The firing is due to the investigations by the NCAA into academic fraud, impermissible benefits, and talking to agents in the 2010 season. The next day on the 28th, Everett Withers, the defensive coordinator of the past 3 years, was named as the interim head coach.[5] Athletic director, Dick Baddour, also announced, on this day, that he would be stepping down from his role once a new athletic director is found for the university.[6] Baddour added that he wanted the new athletic director to be in charge of hiring the university's next head football coach.
UNC – Dwight Jones 34 yd pass from Bryn Renner (Casey Barth kick)
UNC – Giovani Bernard 12 yd run (Casey Barth kick)
Second quarter
UNC – Ryan Houston 1 yd run (Casey Barth kick)
JMU – Daniel Brown 41 yd pass from Justin Thorpe (Cameron Starke kick)
UNC – Giovani Bernard 14 yd run (Casey Barth kick)
Third quarter
JMU – Cameron Starke 31 yd field goal
Fourth quarter
UNC – Bryn Renner 1 yd run (Casey Barth kick)
UNC – Dwight Jones 21 yd pass from Bryn Renner (Casey Barth kick)
Top Passing
UNC – Bryn Renner – 22/23, 277 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
JMU – Justin Thorpe – 11/15, 152 yds, 1 TD, 0 INT
Top Rushing
UNC – Giovani Bernard – 64 yds, 2 TD
JMU – Jordan Anderson – 40 yds, 0 TD
Top Receiving
UNC – Dwight Jones – 116 yds, 2 TD
JMU – Brian Barlow – 31 yds, 0 TD
This was the first ever game as a head coach for Everett Withers. The Tar Heels never trailed in the game, scoring on the opening drive of the game with a 34 yard touchdown pass from Bryn Renner to Dwight Jones. The Heels gave up only one touchdown, which came off of the ensuing drive after a mishandled snap, which resulted in a blocked punt. In his first ever collegiate start, Bryn Renner set school and ACC records for the highest completion percentage (95.7%) in a single-game and was just shy of the NCAA record of 95.8% set in 1998 by Tennessee'sTee Martin.[26]
Rutgers
Week 2: Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Quarter
1
2
3
4
Total
Scarlet Knights
0
12
3
7
22
Tar Heels
7
10
7
0
24
at Kenan Memorial Stadium
Date: September 10, 2011
Game time: 12:30 pm
Game weather: 82 °F (28 °C), mostly sunny
Game attendance: 53,000
Referee: Jerry McGinn
TV: ACC Network
Game information
First quarter
UNC – Dwight Jones 66 yd pass from Bryn Renner (Casey Barth kick)
Second quarter
RUT – Te, San San 35 yd field goal
RUT – Te, San San 50 yd field goal
UNC – Giovani Bernard 60 yd run (Casey Barth kick)
North Carolina was able to hold on to a 2 point win despite turning the ball over 5 times (2 fumbles and 3 interceptions) and not having a single takeaway. A key defensive stand came in the first quarter when a Rutgers interception was returned to the UNC 2 yard line. The UNC defense was able to hold the Rutgers offense and on 4th down from the 1 yard line held the line of scrimmage forcing a turnover on downs. The UNC defense was also able to hold Rutgers to only 1 yard rushing total for the game, the lowest total since holding Wake Forest to a negative 2 yards in 2000.[27]
With its win against Virginia, UNC started their ACC schedule with a win for the first time since 2001. The Heels were able to effectively run the ball against the Cavaliers, finishing the game with 222 rushing yards by 8 different offensive players. The Heels defense recorded their first takeaways of the young season when Matt Merletti recorded 2 interceptions in the fourth quarter to seal the Carolina victory.[28]
Georgia Tech
Week 4: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Quarter
1
2
3
4
Total
#25 Tar Heels
7
0
7
14
28
#24 Yellow Jackets
3
14
11
7
35
at Bobby Dodd Stadium
Date: September 24, 2011
Game time: 12:00 pm
Game weather: 72 °F (22 °C), sunny
Game attendance: 46,849
Referee: Ron Cherry
TV: ESPN
Game information
First quarter
UNC – Giovani Bernard 4 yd run (Thomas Moore kick)
GT – Justin Moore 40 yd field goal
Second quarter
GT – Stephen Hill 59 yd pass from Tevin Washington (Justin Moore kick)
GT – Roddy Jones 2 yd run (Justin Moore kick)
Third quarter
GT – Justin Moore 36 yd field goal
UNC – Nelson Hurst 6 yd pass from Bryn Renner (Thomas Moore kick)
GT – Tevin Washington 1 yd run (David Sims rush)
Fourth quarter
UNC – Eric Ebron 20 yd pass from Bryn Renner (Thomas Moore kick)
UNC – Giovani Bernard 55 yd run (Thomas Moore kick)
GT – Tevin Washington 5 yd run (Justin Moore kick)
Top Passing
UNC – Bryn Renner – 17–25, 204 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT
GT – Tevin Washington – 10–14, 184 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Top Rushing
UNC – Giovani Bernard – 154 yds, 2 TD
GT – Orwin Smith – 79 yds, 0 TD
Top Receiving
UNC – Dwight Jones – 85 yds, 0 TD
GT – Stephen Hill – 151 yds, 1 TD
Georgia Tech entered this meeting of unbeatens as one of the top offenses in the nation averaging 53.3 points and 675.3 yards a game.[29] The UNC defense, however, was able to hold them to only 35 points and 496 yards. Trailing 28–14 in the fourth quarter, UNC rallied behind an Eric Ebron touchdown reception and a 55 yard Giovani Bernard touchdown run to tie the game up with 7:22 left in the game. Georgia Tech took the lead for good with a Tevin Washington touchdown run with 5:20 remaining. With the win, Georgia Tech goes to 4–0 for the first time since their national championship season in 1990.[30]
East Carolina
Week 5: East Carolina Pirates
Quarter
1
2
3
4
Total
Tar Heels
14
14
0
7
35
Pirates
0
3
10
7
20
at Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium
Date: October 1, 2011
Game time: 8:00 pm
Game weather: 56 °F (13 °C), mostly clear
Game attendance: 50,610
Referee: Randy Smith
TV: CBSSN
Game information
First quarter
UNC – Jheranie Boyd 11 yd pass from Bryn Renner (Thomas Moore kick)
UNC – Erik Highsmith 75 yd pass from Bryn Renner (Thomas Moore kick)
Second quarter
UNC – Giovani Bernard 10 yd run (Thomas Moore kick)
ECU – Mike Barbour 35 yd field goal
UNC – Dwight Jones 47 yd pass from Bryn Renner (Thomas Moore kick)
Third quarter
ECU – Lance Lewis 23 yd pass from Dominique Davis (Mike Barbour kick)
ECU – Mike Barbour 25 yd field goal
Fourth quarter
UNC – Dwight Jones 4 yd pass from Bryn Renner (Thomas Moore kick)
ECU – Danny Webster 4 yd pass from Dominique Davis (Mike Barbour kick)
Top Passing
UNC – Bryn Renner – 13–20, 230 yds, 4 TD, 0 INT
ECU – Dominique Davis – 41–58, 417 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT
Top Rushing
UNC – Giovani Bernard – 146 yds, 1 TD
ECU – Reggie Bullock – 72 yds, 0 TD
Top Receiving
UNC – Erik Highsmith – 94 yds, 1 TD
ECU – Lance Lewis – 166 yds, 1 TD
UNC did not commit a turnover in a game for the first time all season. They were +4 in the turnover margin for the game (2 fumble recoveries and 2 interceptions). Giovani Bernard became the first Tar Heel since Natrone Means in 1992 to rush for over 100 yards in 3 consecutive games. His 7 touchdowns through 5 games ties the individual high for Johnny White as the team leader for the year in 2011. The UNC offense continued to perform in the red-zone scoring touchdowns on 3 of 4 trips, bringing their season total to 15 touchdowns in 18 trips in the redzone. The defense, however, has held opponents to only 7 touchdowns in 18 trips into the redzone so far this year.[31]
Louisville
Week 6: Louisville Cardinals
Quarter
1
2
3
4
Total
Cardinals
0
0
0
7
7
Tar Heels
0
0
7
7
14
at Kenan Memorial Stadium
Date: October 8, 2011
Game time: 12:00 pm
Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C), sunny
Game attendance: 51,500
Referee: Jeff Maconaghy
TV: ESPN2
Game information
First quarter
no scoring
Second quarter
no scoring
Third quarter
UNC – Giovani Bernard 3 yd run (Thomas Moore kick)
Fourth quarter
UNC – Dwight Jones 43 yd pass from Bryn Renner (Thomas Moore kick)
LOU – Dominique Brown 18 yd pass from Teddy Bridgewater (Chris Philpott kick)
Despite having the ball for 22:08 in the first half, Louisville only gained 173 yards of offense. This was, however, 113 more yards than UNC going into the locker rooms at the half. In the second half however, UNC outgained Louisville 202 to 95. Louisville's only score of the game came with only 42 seconds left to end the shutout for the UNC defense. Giovani Bernard became the first ever freshman running back to rush for over 100 yards in 4 straight games. With this win, UNC has won 8 straight games against non-conference opponents. Their last lost was against LSU in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game.[32]
MIA – Mike James 4 yd pass from Jacory Harris (Jake Wieclaw kick)
MIA – Tommy Streeter 27 yd pass from Jacory Harris (Jake Wieclaw kick)
MIA – Jake Wieclaw 41 yd field goal
Second quarter
UNC – Thomas Moore 20 yd field goal
MIA – Jake Wieclaw 43 yd field goal
MIA – Travis Benjamin 30 yd pass from Jacory Harris (Jake Wieclaw kick)
UNC – Dwight Jones 4 yd pass from Bryn Renner (Thomas Moore kick)
Third quarter
no scoring
Fourth quarter
UNC – Giovani Bernard 3 yd run (Thomas Moore kick)
MIA – Jake Wieclaw 28 yd field goal
UNC – Reggie Wilkins 20 yd pass from Bryn Renner (Thomas Moore kick)
Top Passing
UNC – Bryn Renner – 29–37, 288 yds, 2 TD, 0 INT
MIA – Jacory Harris – 20–30, 267 yds, 3 TD, 0 INT
Top Rushing
UNC – Giovani Bernard – 110 yds, 1 TD
MIA – Lamar Miller – 29 yds, 0 TD
Top Receiving
UNC – Dwight Jones – 82 yds, 1 TD
MIA – Travis Benjamin – 99 yds, 1 TD
UNC gave up a touchdown in the first quarter for the first time this season. Miami took a 14–0 lead before UNC ever took the field on offense. Miami scored on their opening drive of the game and then, on the ensuing kick-off, recovered a fumble by kick returner T.J. Thorpe and scored on their next play from scrimmage. The Heels nearly made an improbable comeback when, down by 13, they scored a touchdown with 46 seconds remaining in the game. They then recovered the on-side kick on their own 44 yard line. They were able to advance the ball to the 30 yard line after a 15 yard pass reception by Dwight Jones and an 11 yard reception by Giovani Bernard. Bernard also rushed for another 110 yards giving him 5 100+ yard games in a row. This ties for the second most in a season by a UNC freshman. The other two UNC freshmen with this record are Amos Lawrence (who finished with 6 in 1977) and Leon Johnson (who finished with 5 in 1993).[33]
The Tar Heels turned the ball over 6 times in their 59–38 loss to Clemson. This was the most points allowed by UNC since they gave up 69 to Louisville in 2005. UNC was only down by 7 going into the half and their defense had only allowed 15 yards of rushing up to that point. However, Clemson's 35 points in the third quarter became only the second time in school history to accomplish this feat, the only other time being by the 1981 National Championship team. T.J. Thorpe became only the second Tar Heel in history to record a kickoff return of 100 yards for a touchdown.[34]
With their win over Wake Forest, North Carolina became bowl eligible for the 4th straight year. The Tar Heel defense caused 5 Deacon turnovers (3 interceptions and 2 fumbles) after Wake Forest had committed only 5 turnovers the entire season coming into the game. UNC's 49 points was the most they had scored in a game since their opener against William & Mary in 2004 and the most against an ACC opponent since the 2001 season. The Tar Heel defense was led by senior Zach Brown who had 9 tackles (2.5 for a loss), an interception, a sack, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.[35]
NC State
Week 10: NC State Wolfpack
Quarter
1
2
3
4
Total
Tar Heels
0
0
0
0
0
Wolfpack
7
3
3
0
13
at Carter–Finley Stadium
Date: November 5, 2011
Game time: 12:30 pm
Game weather: 46 °F (8 °C), mostly sunny, windy
Game attendance: 57,583
Referee: Tom Zimorski
TV: ACC Network
Game information
First quarter
NCSU – T.J. Graham 12 yd pass from Mike Glennon (Niklas Sade kick)
Second quarter
NCSU – Niklas Sade 26 yd field goal
Third quarter
NCSU – Niklas Sade 24 yd field goal
Fourth quarter
no scoring
Top Passing
UNC – Braden Hanson – 7–13, 86 yds, 0 TD, 1 INT
NCSU – Mike Glennon – 16–33, 164 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Top Rushing
UNC – Giovani Bernard – 47 yds, 0 TD
NCSU – James Washington – 110 yds, 0 TD
Top Receiving
UNC – Dwight Jones – 72 yds, 0 TD
NCSU – Tobais Palmer – 94 yds, 0 TD
The Tar Heels were shut out for the first time since a 7–0 loss to Georgia Tech in 2006, and their first shut out by NC State since 1960. Bryn Renner was knocked out of the game with concussion-like symptoms early in the second half. The UNC offense had its worst performance of the season, being held to a game low of 165 total yards. Giovani Bernard was, however, able to become the 15th Tar Heel to rush for 1,000 yards in a season and the third freshman to rush for 1,000 yards. The only point in the game in which it seemed UNC was going to put points on the scoreboard was on a 75 yard touchdown reception by Dwight Jones that was called back because of holding on the offensive line.[36]
Virginia Tech
Week 11: Virginia Tech Hokies
Quarter
1
2
3
4
Total
Tar Heels
7
0
0
14
21
#9 Hokies
0
10
14
0
24
at Lane Stadium
Date: November 17, 2011
Game time: 8:00 pm
Game weather: 33 °F (1 °C), clear
Game attendance: 66,233
Referee: Ron Cherry
TV: ESPN
Game information
First quarter
UNC – Giovani Bernard 4 yd run (Thomas Moore kick)
Second quarter
VT – Chris Drager 11 yd pass from Logan Thomas (Cody Journell kick)
VT – Cody Journell 22 yd field goal
Third quarter
VT – Logan Thomas 23 yd run (Cody Journell kick)
VT – D.J. Coles 4 yd pass from Logan Thomas (Cody Journell kick)
Fourth quarter
UNC – Erik Highsmith 5 yd pass from Bryn Renner (Thomas Moore kick)
UNC – Ryan Houston 1 yd run (Thomas Moore kick)
Top Passing
UNC – Bryn Renner – 14–26, 224 yds, 1 TD, 0 INT
VT – Logan Thomas – 19–32, 195 yds, 2 TD, 0 INT
Top Rushing
UNC – Giovani Bernard – 45 yds, 1 TD
VT – David Wilson – 82 yds, 0 TD
Top Receiving
UNC – Dwight Jones – 105 yds, 0 TD
VT – Jarrett Boykin – 106 yds, 0 TD
Virginia Tech's Logan Thomas fumbled on the first play from scrimmage when he was sacked by Sylvester Williams. This set up UNC with a 3 play, 20 yard drive that concluded with a Giovani Bernard 4 yard touchdown. After preventing Virginia Tech from converting a 4th down on the UNC 26 yard line, the Heels drove the length of the field to the 5 yard line where Ryan Houston fumbled the ball and it was recovered by the Hokies. The last time that UNC and Virginia Tech played on Thursday night was in 2009 when Virginia Tech fumbled the ball on a drive in the fourth quarter that eventually lead to a UNC victory. After coming 5 yards from taking a 14-0 lead, UNC found itself giving up 24 unanswered points to the Hokies by the fourth quarter. However, with 7:06 left in the game, Bryn Renner completed a pass to Erik Highsmith to reduce the lead to 10 points. After forcing the Hokies to punt on their next possession, Renner completed a 25 yard pass to Dwight Jones, then a 64 yard pass to Erik Highsmith to the 2 yard line where Houston punched the ball into the endzone to cut the lead to 3 with 2:32 left in the game. The Heels recovered the onside kick on the subsequent kick-off, but upon further review, it was judged that the ball did not travel the required 10 yards on the kickoff which gave the Hokies the ball. They were able to run the clock down to where only one play would be left for UNC, who was not able to convert it into a touchdown.[37]
Duke
Week 12: Duke Blue Devils
Quarter
1
2
3
4
Total
Blue Devils
7
7
7
0
21
Tar Heels
10
10
10
7
37
at Kenan Memorial Stadium
Date: November 26, 2011
Game time: 3:30 pm
Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C), sunny
Game attendance: 58,500
Referee: Jeff Flanagan
TV: Regional Sports Network
Game information
First quarter
UNC – Dwight Jones 6 yd pass from Bryn Renner (Thomas Moore kick)
DUKE – Juwan Thompson 70 yd pass from Sean Renfree (Will Snyderwine kick)
UNC – Thomas Moore 31 yd field goal
Second quarter
UNC – Thomas Moore 46 yd field goal
UNC – Giovani Bernard 48 yd run (Thomas Moore kick)
DUKE – Jamison Crowder 45 yd pass from Sean Renfree (Will Snyderwine kick)
Third quarter
UNC – Thomas Moore 28 yd field goal
DUKE – Donovan Varner 11 yd pass from Anthony Boone (Will Snyderwine kick)
UNC – Dwight Jones 18 yd pass from Bryn Renner (Thomas Moore kick)
Fourth quarter
UNC – Dwight Jones 8 yd pass from Bryn Renner (Thomas Moore kick)
Top Passing
UNC – Bryn Renner – 21–34, 274 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
DUKE – Sean Renfree – 13–20, 153 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Top Rushing
UNC – Giovani Bernard – 165 yds, 1 TD
DUKE – Anthony Boone – 41 yds, 0 TD
Top Receiving
UNC – Dwight Jones – 101 yds, 3 TD
DUKE – Juwan Thompson – 70 yds, 1 TD
UNC beat Duke for an 8th straight year, the last loss coming in 2003. Dwight Jones broke the single season reception record with 79 receptions for the season. The previous record of 74 receptions was held by Hakeem Nicks. Bryn Renner tied the single season record for most passing touchdowns with 23. In addition, Giovani Bernard ran for a season high 165 rushing yards. Duke quarterback, Sean Renfree, was taken out of the game during the third quarter due to numbness and swelling in his right hand. Because of this, Anthony Boone saw the most snaps of his freshman year and lead the Blue Devils in rushing for the game.[38]
Missouri–Independence Bowl
Bowl: Missouri Tigers
Quarter
1
2
3
4
Total
Tigers
14
17
7
3
41
Tar Heels
7
3
7
7
24
at Independence Stadium
Date: December 26, 2011
Game time: 5:00 pm
Game weather: 46 °F (8 °C), 10% chance rain
Game attendance: 41,728
Referee: Dan Capron
TV: ESPN2
Game information
First quarter
UNC – Dwight Jones 22 yd pass from Bryn Renner (Thomas Moore kick)
MIZZ – Wes Kemp 40 yd pass from T.J. Moe (Trey Barrow kick)
MIZZ – James Franklin 2 yd run (Trey Barrow kick)
Second quarter
MIZZ – Trey Barrow 31 yd field goal
MIZZ – Jerrel Jackson 8 yd pass from James Franklin (Trey Barrow kick)
MIZZ – Kendi Lawrence 9 yd run (Trey Barrow kick)
UNC – Thomas Moore 21 yd field goal
Third quarter
UNC – Jheranie Boyd 44 yd pass from Bryn Renner (Thomas Moore kick)
MIZZ – James Franklin 2 yd run (Trey Barrow kick)
Fourth quarter
MIZZ – Trey Barrow 26 yd field goal
UNC – Erik Highsmith 17 yd pass from Bryn Renner (Thomas Moore kick)
Top Passing
UNC – Bryn Renner – 27–42, 317 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
MIZZ – James Franklin – 15–23, 132 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
