BANK OF AMERICA STADIUM (74,867) • CHARLOTTE, N.C.
THURSDAY, DEC. 30, 2021 • 11:30 A.M. ET (ESPN)
South Carolina Gamecocks Notes
BATTLE OF THE CAROLINAS: The two flagship universities of the Carolinas – South Carolina and North Carolina – renew its rivalry on Thursday, Dec. 30, in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. This will mark the 59th meeting on the gridiron between these two bordering schools. North Carolina holds a 35-19- 4 advantage in the all-time series, including a 3-1 mark when the game has been played at a neutral site. However, South Carolina has won three of the last four contests and six of the last eight overall.
BEAMER VERSUS THE HEELS: This will mark South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer’s first meeting against the Tar Heels as a head coach.
MACK ATTACKS THE GAMECOCKS: North Carolina head coach Mack Brown is 2-3 against the Gamecocks, with the first four games coming during his first stint in Chapel Hill. The Gamecocks defeated the Tar Heels by scores of 31-10, 27-20 and 27-5 from 1988-90, before Brown and the Tar Heels tallied a 21-17 win during the 1991 season. Brown led UNC to a 24-20 win over Will Muschamp’s Gamecocks to kick off the 2019 season in Charlotte. THE LAST TIME THEY MET: True freshman quarterback Sam Howell threw for 245 yards and two touchdowns, Myles Wolfork had two late fourth quarter interceptions and North Carolina battled back to defeat South Carolina 24-20 on August 31, 2019 in Charlotte. The game marked Mack Brown’s return to the sideline following a five-year hiatus. Howell capped second half drives of 98 and 95 yards with a 22-yard TD strike to Dyami Brown and a 17-yard scoring toss to Beau Corrales to give Brown his first win since 2013, when he coached at Texas. South Carolina held a 20-9 advantage heading into the final period, but was unable to secure the win. Attendance was 52,183.
THE LAST GAMECOCK WIN: The Gamecocks and Tar Heels opened the 2015 season at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium on Sept. 3, with South Carolina posting a 17-13 win. The Tar Heels took a 13-10 lead into intermission, but Shon Carson broke a 48-yard run to paydirt early in the fourth quarter for the only score in the second half, lifting the Gamecocks to victory. Linebacker Skai Moore
intercepted a pair of passes in the end-zone, including one in the game’s final minutes to preserve the win. South Carolina did most of its damage on the ground, rushing for 254 yards. The announced attendance was 51,664.
CAROLINA ON MY MIND: The Gamecocks have 14 players on the current roster who played their high school ball in the state of North Carolina. Four players list Charlotte as their hometown – Eric Douglas played at Mallard Creek, Jovaughn Gwyn played for Harding University, Jake Helfrich prepped at Providence Day and Jaylen Nichols went to Myers Park. Others from the Tar Heel State include: Nick Muse (Belmont), Mohamed Kaba (Clinton), Rick Sandidge (Concord); Nick Barrett (Goldsboro), Jalen Brooks (Harrisburg), Traevon Kenion (Monroe); Spencer Eason-Riddle (Raleigh); Sherrod Greene (Rocky Mount); Mitch Jeter (Salisbury) and Jaylin Dickerson (Southern Pines).
NON-CONFERENCE SUCCESS: The Gamecocks are 35-12 in their last 47 non-conference games, with seven of the 12 losses coming against Clemson. Carolina is 3-1 in non-conference action in 2021 with wins over Eastern Illinois (46-0), East Carolina (20-17) and Troy (23-14) and a loss to Clemson.
THERE’S A CONNECTION: North Carolina defensive coordinator Jay Bateman was Pete Lembo’s DC for nine years at Lehigh, Elon and Ball State. Lembo coaches special teams for the Gamecocks.
WHEN WILL I SEE YOU AGAIN? The Gamecocks and Tar Heels are scheduled to meet at Bank of America Stadium again to kick off the 2023 season on Sept. 2, 2023. The teams also have a home-and-home series booked for later in the decade, with the Tar Heels coming to Columbia in 2028, then the Gamecocks making the return trip to Chapel Hill in 2029.
A South Carolina win over North Carolina would…
Be the Gamecocks’ seventh win of the season, their high mark since winning seven in 2018.
Surpass the Gamecocks’ win total of the last two seasons combined.
Improve the Gamecocks’ record to 36-12 in their last 48 opportunities against non-conference opponents.
Improve the Gamecocks’ record in bowl games to 10-14
YOU ARE LOOKING LIVE: After a two-year hiatus, South Carolina Football returns to postseason action. The Gamecocks (6-6, 3-5 SEC) will square off against the North Carolina Tar Heels (6-6, 3-5 ACC) in the 2021 Duke’s Mayo Bowl on Thursday, Dec.
30. Game time is set for 11:30 am ET at Bank of America Stadium (74,867) in Charlotte, N.C.
OVER THE AIRWAVES: ESPN has the national television broadcast with Anish Shroff and Mike Golic Jr. in the booth and Taylor McGregor on the sidelines. Bowl Season Radio has the national radio broadcast with Kershaw, S.C., native Brian Estridge
handling the play-by-play and “The Punter” John Denton serving as the analyst. Molly Cotton will be the sideline reporter. Carolina Hall of Famers Todd Ellis and Tommy Suggs handle the call for the Gamecock Radio Network with Jamar Nesbit on the sidelines.
A LITTLE HISTORY: 2021 marks the 128th season of intercollegiate football at the University of South Carolina dating back to 1892. It is the 115thconsecutive year in which South Carolina has competed on the gridiron. The University did not field a team in either 1893 or 1906. Carolina owns an all-time record of 620-601-44, a .508 winning pct.
IT JUST MEANS MORE: The 2021 season marked South Carolina’s 30th year in the Southeastern Conference. South Carolina and Arkansas joined the league prior to the 1992 campaign. The Gamecocks earned the SEC Eastern Division title in the 2010 season. The win earlier this season over Vanderbilt was South Carolina’s 100th conference victory since joining the SEC. They are 102-139-1 (.424) all-time in SEC regular-season play.
GOING BOWLING: The Gamecocks secured their sixth win of the season against Auburn, positioning themselves for their first bowl appearance since the 2018 season and their 24th overall. The Gamecocks are 9-14 all-time in bowl games, but have won nine of their last 15 after dropping their first eight bowl contests. Shane Beamer is the third-straight Gamecock head coach to take the team to a bowl game in his first season.
SAY SO LONG TO THE SUPER SENIORS: The Gamecocks have nine players who will have their eligibility expire after the bowl game. Those nine are Spencer Eason-Riddle, Jabari Ellis, Jaylan Foster, Nick Muse, Carlins Platel, Zeb Noland, Damani Staley, Aaron Sterling and Parker White.
HE GONE: EDGE Kingsley Enagbare and running back ZaQuandre White have elected to forego the bowl game to prepare for the NFL Draft.
GAMECOCKS IN THE QUEEN CITY: The Gamecocks are no stranger to Bank of America Stadium, as this will be their sixth appearance in the Queen City since 2011. Carolina is 3-2 in those contests, with four of the games being a season opener and the other coming during the bowl season. They defeated East Carolina (2011), North Carolina (2015) and NC State (2017) in season lid-lifters, before falling to Virginia in the 2018 Belk Bowl and to the Tar Heels in the 2019 opener when they played in back-to-back games at BOA Stadium.
BEEN HERE, DONE THAT: The Gamecocks last bowl appearance was played at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte in the 2018 Belk Bowl. Virginia got the better of it on that Dec. 29 afternoon, defeating the Gamecocks by a 28-0 score.
SEASON IN REVIEW: The Gamecocks had an up-and-down campaign in Shane Beamer’s first year as the head coach. However, coming off a 2-8 season and with Vegas predicting just 3.5 wins, Coach Beamer’s squad exceeded nearly everyone’s expectations. Carolina got the season started with a pair of non-conference wins over FCS Eastern Illinois and East Carolina, then dropped their first
two conference games to Georgia and Kentucky. The Gamecocks alternated wins and losses over the final eight games of the regular season, posting wins over Troy, Vanderbilt, Florida and Auburn, while suffering losses at Tennessee, at Texas A&M, at Missouri and versus Clemson.
FIRST YEAR SUCCESS: Shane Beamer had arguably the most success of any first-year head coach at the FBS level in 2021. Coming off a 2-8 campaign, Beamer led the Gamecocks to a 6-6 record for a three-game improvement. Marshall’s Charles Huff and Boise State’s Andy Avalos both recorded seven wins, but both of those squads actually had worse records in 2021 than in 2020. Beamer, Huff and Avalos were the only first-year head coaches to log at .500 or better regular season.
WE’RE NOT DEAD YET: The Gamecocks came from behind to win five games this season. Twice they rallied back from 14-0 deficits to beat East Carolina, 20-17, and Auburn, 21-17. The two 14-point come-from-behind wins ties for the seventh-best comeback wins in school history. It’s the first time they’ve come back from two touchdown deficits to claim victory twice in the same season. Carolina has outscored its opponents by a 74-43 margin in the final period, and rallied late to defeat both East Carolina and Vanderbilt in the game’s final minute.
THAT’S OUR BALL: The Gamecock defense has been outstanding in forcing turnovers all season. They have forced a turnover in 11of 12 games and two or more turnovers in eight of their 12 contests, including a season-high four against Troy and three each against Georgia, Kentucky and Missouri. For the season, South Carolina has forced 24 turnovers – 15 interceptions and nine fumble recoveries, ranking first in the SEC and tied with Baylor for 12th in the NCAA in turnovers gained. The 15 interceptions have the Gamecocks tied for first in the SEC and tied for 10th in the country.
THE BEST OFFENSE IS A GOOD DEFENSE: The Gamecock defense has scored four times this season, three on pick-sixes and one scoop-and-score. Jordan Burch picked off a pass and rumbled 61 yards to paydirt in the opener against Eastern Illinois. That was Carolina’s first pick-six since Israel Mukuamu went 53 yards for a score at Georgia in 2019 and the first for a Gamecock defensive lineman since Devin Taylor raced 48 yards at Arkansas in 2011. Damani Staley got the Gamecocks on the board with just a minute left in the first half on a 63-yard interception return at East Carolina. David Spaulding went 74 yards with an interception return in the final minute of the first half against Troy. Jabari Ellis recovered a fumble and rambled 18-yards for a score late in the first half vs. Florida. Carolina is 4-0 in games with a defensive score. The four defensive scores lead the SEC and ranks in a tie for sixth in the country.
WE’RE GOING THE OTHER WAY: Carolina has logged 297 interception return yards this season on 14 picks, just 47 yards off the record of 344 return yards, set in 1984 when the squad intercepted 23 passes. The 297 interception return yards is tied for the fifth-most in the NCAA this season.
NO PASSING ZONE: The Carolina pass defense was solid all season. In addition to the 15 interceptions, the Gamecocks surrendered an average of just 178.8 yards through the air, ranking second in the SEC and ninth in the country. The Gamecocks rank 28th in the country in pass efficiency defense.
FOR STARTERS: The Gamecocks have had 39 players make starts this season. Nine have started all 12 games, including Eric Douglas, Jovaughn Gwyn, and Nick Muse on offense, and Jabari Ellis, Kingsley Enagbare, Jaylan Foster, Brad Johnson, Zacch Pickens and Aaron Sterling on defense.
YOU GET A WIN AND YOU GET A WIN AND YOU GET A WIN: The Gamecocks are the only FBS team in the country that can boast three starting quarterbacks with two wins under their belts this season. Luke Doty (2-2), Zeb Noland (2-2) and Jason Brown (2-2) each have two wins as a starter.
TAKING AIM ON A SCHOOL RECORD: Placekicker Parker White has a chance to break a few school records in his final contest. White needs three points to tie Elliott Fry’s record of 359 points scored. He needs two field goal attempts to match Collin Mackie’s school mark of 98. He also needs three field goals made to tie Mackie’s record of 72.
Offense
SATT ATTACK: The Gamecock offense is under the direction of offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield. Satterfield most recently was part of Matt Rhule’s staff with the Carolina Panthers. He and Coach Beamer first met each other as graduate assistants at Tennessee under head coach Phillip Fulmer. Offensive line coach Greg Adkins was on that staff as well.
FO, FO FO: Moses Malone made that saying famous in the 1983 NBA Championship series, and it reappeared in 2021 with the South Carolina quarterback situation, where Luke Doty, Zeb Noland and Jason Brown have each made four starts. All three own 2-2 records as a starter this season. The last time Carolina started three different signal-callers in one year was in 2016 when Perry Orth (3 starts), Brandon McIlwain (3 starts) and Jake Bentley (7 starts) all took a game’s first snap. The only other years since the turn of the century that Carolina used three starting quarterbacks in a season came in 2008 (Tommy Beecher-1, Chris Smelley-9 and Stephen Garcia-3) and in 2015 (Connor Mitch-2, Perry Orth-8 and Lorenzo Nunez-2).
LUKE, I WAS YOUR STARTER: Sophomore Luke Doty came out of the spring as the projected starter at quarterback and did nothing to change that early in fall camp. However, he suffered a mid-foot sprain in his left foot on August 13 and was sidelined for the first two games. He made his 2021 debut at Georgia in relief of an injured Zeb Noland and was the starter for the next four weeks, posting a 2-2 record with wins over Troy and Vanderbilt. He re-injured the foot in the win over Vanderbilt and underwent season-ending surgery on Oct. 21. For the season, he was 86-for-143 (60.1 pct.) for 975 yards with five TDs and three interceptions.
THE MOVIE RIGHTS ARE UP FOR GRABS: In what could be taken straight from a Hollywood script, Zeb Noland transitioned from graduate assistant to active player during preseason camp following a foot injury to Luke Doty, and started each of the first three games, winning two. Noland, who began his career at Iowa State, then transferred to North Dakota State where he played behind his
best friend, Trey Lance, joined the Carolina staff as a G.A. in late May with one year of eligibility left. When Doty was first injured in August, the wheels were put into motion to get Noland back on the field for one final season. His first practice came on Aug. 17, one day after his 24th birthday. He made his fourth start of the season at Texas A&M, but suffered a meniscus tear in his right knee and
underwent a minor surgical procedure on Oct. 26.
THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD: Zeb Noland began his career at Iowa State. In two seasons in Ames (2017-18), he completed 106-of-176 passes (60.2 pct.) for 1,255 yards with six touchdowns and two picks in nine contests. His best performance came against Oklahoma on Sept. 15, 2018, when he completed 25-of-36 passes for 360 yards with two touchdowns. He played in seven games
in the spring of 2021 for the North Dakota State Bison, completing 51-of-100 passes for 721 yards with five touchdowns and six interceptions.
COLONEL ZEBULIAH: Zeb Noland is 2-2 as the Gamecock starting quarterback with wins over Eastern Illinois and East Carolina. He became the first signal-caller to post victories in each of his first two starts since Jake Bentley in 2016. He is 50-for-89 (56.2 pct.) for 608 yards with six touchdowns and one interception in a Gamecock uniform. He threw four touchdown passes in his Gamecock debut against Eastern Illinois, the most for a Carolina QB since Bentley threw for five TDs at Clemson in 2018. He completed a 61-yard pass
to Josh Vann on the first offensive series at Georgia, but cut his finger when had his hand stepped on early in the contest and was unable to continue in that game. He did not play again until replacing Luke Doty for the final drive against Vanderbilt and added another chapter to the fairy tale story.
ZEB TO THE RESCUE: Backup quarterback Zeb Noland was on the field for just 59 seconds of the Gamecocks’ 21-20 win over Vanderbilt, but he made every second count. He completed 5-of-8 passes for 75 yards, including a 9-yarder to Xavier Legette with 37 seconds remaining for the game-winner. It was Noland’s first action since leaving the Georgia game in week 3 with a hand injury.
THE UNSINKABLE JASON BROWN: Jason Brown, a transfer from FCS-level St. Francis (Pa.), joined the squad in the spring to compete in the quarterback room. He began the season as the third-string signal-caller, but following a season-ending injury to Luke Doty and with Zeb Noland out following minor knee surgery, Brown was elevated to QB1 and made his first FBS start against Florida and his first overall since 2019. He started the final four games, posting wins over Florida and Auburn.
WHAT CAN BROWN DO FOR YOU?: A redshirt senior with one year of eligibility remaining, Jason Brown played in 18 games including a dozen starts for the St. Francis (Pa.) Red Flash in 2018-19, completing 253-of-411 passes (61.6 pct.) for 3,124 yards with 28 TDs and just six INTs. Prior to his first start against Florida, he saw limited duty this season, getting in second-half action in the season opener against Eastern Illinois (4-of-5, 45 yards), for one snap at Georgia, then seeing his most extensive duty at Texas A&M (8-of-14, 84 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT). For the season, he was 60-of-108 (55.6 pct.) for 721 yards with eight touchdowns and six picks. He threw a season-high three touchdowns versus Auburn. Brown has elected to try the transfer portal again and will not play in the bowl game.
BACKFIELD IN MOTION: First-year running backs coach Montario Hardesty inherited a talented room that includes Kevin Harris, MarShawn Lloyd, Juju McDowell and ZaQuandre White, four viable options to carry the pigskin. All have had their opportunities this season, with the carries ranging from a team-high 121 for Harris to 88 for White, 64 for Lloyd and 47 for McDowell. White has started six times this season while Harris has five starts and McDowell has two. White has led the team in rushing in six games, while Harris has led in four and McDowell in one. The Gamecocks logged three of their four longest runs of the year against Florida with White (54), Lloyd (40) and Harris (39) all breaking off explosive plays.
Z IS THE X-FACTOR: ZaQuandre White, who began his career at Florida State, has a team-leading 583 rushing yards on 88 carries, an impressive 6.6-yard average. After rushing for 128 yards in the season opener against Eastern Illinois, he had 10 carries for 39 yards over the next two contests, then did not have a carry in three-straight games before leading the team with a 12-carry, 65-yard performance against Vandy and an eight-carry, 59-yard effort at Texas A&M. He notched his second career 100-yard day with a 13-carry, 111-yard effort against Florida and led the team with 99 yards on 16 carries versus Auburn. He is fifth on the squad with 19 pass receptions for 202 yards as well.
White has elected to forego the bowl game in order to prepare for the NFL Draft.
SINGLE-SEASON RUSHING AVERAGE (Min. 40 Att.)
1. Steve Wadiak (1948)……………………… 8.2 (51 for 420)
2. Mike Caskey (1954)………………………….6.7 (83 for 556)
3. Carl Brazell (1955)…………………………….6.6 (46 for 305)
ZaQuandre White (2021) ………..6.6 (88 for 583)
HARRIS HAS MADE HISTORY: Junior Kevin Harris burst onto the scene a year ago, rushing for 1,138 yards in just 10 games, earning first-team All-SEC accolades while leading the conference in rushing. He entered the season as the school’s career leader in rushing average per carry at 6.4 for those backs with at least 1,000 career rushing yards. Harris was slowed in fall camp after have a minor procedure on his back over the summer, was not dressed for the opener due to illness and has been slowed by an ankle injury. He had just 237 yards rushing on 70 carries, 3.4 yards per tote, through eight games. The bye week did him well, as he looked like the Harris of 2020 against Florida, rushing 16 times for 128 yards, an average of 8.0 yards per carry. Harris leads the team with 121 carries, rushing for 477 yards. He ranks 23rd in school history with 1,794 career rushing yards. Rob DeBoer is 22nd with 1,810. He is tied for eighth on the school’s all-time list with 22 rushing touchdowns.
HARRIS FINDS THE END ZONE: After scoring 15 rushing touchdowns a season ago, Kevin Harris reached the end zone twice at Tennessee, and added his third of the season at Missouri. Harris ranks tried for eighth on Carolina’s all-time rushing touchdowns list with 22.
THAT WILL DO ‘ER, LLOYD: Gamecock fans waited patiently for the debut of MarShawn Lloyd, who suffered a knee injury on the second day of fall camp in 2020. Lloyd was a highly-regarded talent when he joined the squad. He responded with a team-high 14 carries for 55 yards in his debut against Eastern Illinois. He had a career-best 40- yard burst against Florida and has 64 carries for
228 yards this season with one touchdown.
JUJU ON THAT BEAT: Freshman running back Juju McDowell brings a different dimension to the attack with his quickness and toughness despite his small stature. He had his best game at East Carolina when he rushed for a game-high 71 yards on 11 carries, including 46 yards on seven totes in the deciding fourth quarter. He also logged a 63-yard kickoff return, setting up the game-tying score. That kick return was the longest for a Gamecock since Deebo Samuel raced 90 yards to paydirt on the opening kick against Ole Miss in 2018. For the season, he has rushed 47 times for 196 yards. He also leads the team with 15 kickoff returns for 394 yards, a 26.3-yard average. McDowell was named to the SEC All-Freshman team by the league’s coaches as both an all-purpose back and as a return specialist.
JUST GIVE ME THE BALL: With the clock winding down in the first half and the Gamecocks on the doorstep to tie the Auburn game, they turned to converted offensive lineman Trai Jones. Jones, a 6-3, 305-pounder who wears number 44 when he lines up at fullback, caught a three-yard pass from Jason Brown to knot the score heading into intermission. It was the first time that Jones had touched the ball in a game situation since he was a pre-teen. He was recognized as the SEC Freshman of the Week for his performance.
SPREADING THE WEALTH: The Gamecocks have seven receivers who have reached double-figures in pass receptions this season. Josh Vann leads the way with 43 catches, but Jaheim Bell (25), Dakereon Joyner (24), Nick Muse (20), ZaQuandre White (19), Jalen Brooks (14) and Kevin Harris (11) are also in double digits. In total, 18 players have caught a pass in 2021.
LIVIN’ DOWN BY THE RIVER: Senior Josh Vann has developed into the top wide receiver under first-year wide receivers coach Justin Stepp, coming out from the shadows of current NFL standouts Deebo Samuel, Bryan Edwards and Shi Smith. Vann, who earned fourth-team All-SEC honors from Phil Steele leads the team with 43 receptions for a team-high 679 yards, an average of 15.8-yards per catch, including a team-leading five touchdowns. He has 90 career receptions, which also leads the team and ranks in a tie for 25th in school history with Jim Mitchell and Ira Hillary.
REMEMBERING DEEBO: Josh Vann has a trio of 100-yard receiving games this season. With back-to-back games of 127 receiving yards at East Carolina and 128 at Georgia, he became the first Gamecock to record consecutive 100-yard receiving games since Deebo Samuel went for 112 vs Chattanooga and 210 at Clemson in 2018. He added a career-best seven-catch, 111-yard performance against Florida. DK IS OK: Junior Dakereon Joyner, who began his Gamecock career at quarterback, is third on the squad with 24 receptions overall. He also sees some action at the wildcat quarterback position and has carried the ball eight times for 13 yards. He caught five passes in the win at East Carolina, including a touchdown grab on a 13-yard reception that tied the game late in the third quarter.
GETTING THE BAND BACK TOGETHER: With Jason Brown taking over the quarterback duties late in the season, his long-time pass-catching partner E.J. Jenkins saw his playing time increase. Jenkins, who made his first start against Florida, has seven catches for 110 yards and a touchdown. He had a 30-yard reception in the last game against Clemson. Brown and Jenkins played together at Chancellor High School in Fredericksburg, Va. and at FCS St. Francis (Pa.) before the pair transferred to Carolina in the spring.
NICK’S MUSINGS: Nick Muse was a preseason All-SEC tight end candidate who began his career at William & Mary. Muse caught 30 passes a season ago, most among the returning players. His best performance came in the Georgia game last year when he caught eight passes for 131 yards. In 2021 he has 20 catches for 222 yards and two TDs, including a season-long 29-yard reception in the game-winning drive against Vanderbilt. Muse has accepted an invitation to play in the 2022 East-West Shrine game following the season.
IT TOLLS FOR THEE: Regarded as a “Swiss Army Knife,” sophomore Jaheim Bell has lined up just about everywhere, including the deep man on kick returns. A second-team All-SEC performer; according to PFF, he had the biggest game for a tight end in school history in the win over Vanderbilt, catching six passes for 136 yards with a touchdown. The 136 receiving yards for a tight end surpassed the previous mark of 134, set by Danny Smith in 1985. His score came from 82-yards out, tying for the 10th-longest reception in school history and was the longest since Jake Bentley hit Deebo Samuel on an 89-yarder at Florida in 2018. He caught a
touchdown pass in the opener against Eastern Illinois and added a 48-yard reception in the win at East Carolina. For the season he is second on the squad with 25 catches for 338 yards, a 13.5-yard average with three scores.
LEFT SIDE, STRONG SIDE: Carolina has had eight different starters and six different starting offensive lines this season. The left side of the line has been more in flux with Jazston Turnetine (7 starts), Jakai Moore (3 starts) and Jaylen Nichols (2 starts) sharing duties at left tackle, while Vershon Lee (8 starts) and Nichols (4 starts) and have split the reps at left guard. The right side has been more stable with center Eric Douglas and right guard Jovaughn Gwyn both starting every game, while right tackle Dylan Wonnum started the first
six contests before being sidelined with a back injury, giving way to Tyshawn Wannamaker (6 starts). Gwyn, a co-SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week last week, leads the squad with 33 career starts. Wannamaker was a Freshman All-SEC selection by the league’s 14 coaches.
Defense
4-2-5 IS RIGHT WITH WHITE: First-year defensive coordinator Clayton White brought a 4-2-5 scheme to Columbia. A four-time nominee for the Broyles Award as the nation’s top assistant coach including this season, White most recently served as the DC at Western Kentucky. He has the Gamecocks ranked 12th in the nation in turnovers gained, ninth in pass defense, 28th in pass efficiency defense, 44th in total defense and 48th in scoring defense.
A VAST IMPROVEMENT: The Carolina defense ranks 48th in the nation in scoring defense, allowing 24.2 points per game, with six of its 12 opponents scoring 17 points or less, including a shutout of Eastern Illinois. Last season, Carolina gave up 36.0 points per game and held just two of their 10 opponents to 17 points or less. They ranked 105th in the country in scoring defense when they had three starters (Jaycee Horn, Ernest Jones and Israel Mukuamu) who are now playing in the NFL.
JUST THE SACKS, MA’AM: EDGE rusher Kingsley Enagbare is a returning All-SEC selection, and the Gamecocks added the nation’s sack leader from a season ago in Jordan Strachan. Enagbare led the Gamecocks with 6.0 sacks, ranking second in the SEC with 0.75 sacks per game a year ago. Strachan had a Georgia State school record 10.5 sacks, tying for first in the FBS. Carolina has recorded 22 sacks in 2021, including a season-high six at Tennessee. That was the most sacks in a game since they notched seven against the Vols in 2017.
THREE IN DOUBLE FIGURES: The Gamecocks have three players who have recorded double-digits in career sacks with Kingsley Enagbare (15.0), Aaron Sterling (12.0) and Jordan Strachan (12.0) all in double figures. Here are the career sack numbers:
SACKS 2021 CAREER
Kingsley Enagbare 4.5 15.0
Aaron Sterling 2.5 12.0
Jordan Strachan 1.5 12.0
Brad Johnson 2.5 6.0
Zacch Pickens 3.5 4.5
Jabari Ellis 0.5 2.0
Jaylan Foster 2.0 2.0
Rick Sandidge 0.0 1.5
Jahmar Brown 1.0 1.0
Jordan Burch 1.0 1.0
Carlins Platel 1.0 1.0
R.J. Roderick 0.0 1.0
Darius Rush 1.0 1.0
Damani Staley 1.0 1.0
Jaylin Dickerson 0.0 0.5
Hot Rod Fitten 0.0 0.5
Sherrod Greene 0.0 0.5
LONG LIVE THE KING: Senior EDGE Kingsley (JJ) Enagbare was named a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award and is a first-team All- SEC selection according to PFF. He has been invited to play in the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl and has opted out of the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. With 24.0 career tackles for loss including 15.0 sacks, he moved into a five-way tie for ninth on the school’s all-time career sacks list. Enagbare has put himself in position to potentially become the third Gamecock defensive player in as many years to be an NFL first-round draft pick, following in the footsteps of Javon Kinlaw (49ers) and Jaycee Horn (Panthers).
CAREER SACKS
1. Eric Norwood (2006-09)………………………………29.0
2. Andrew Provence (1980-82)………………………26.0
3. Jadeveon Clowney (2011-13) ……………………24.0
4. John Abraham (1996-99)…………………………….23.5
5. Melvin Ingram (2007-11)……………………………..21.5
6. Devin Taylor (2009-12)…………………………………18.5
7. Cecil Caldwell (1997-00)………………………………15.5
Cliff Matthews (2007-10)…………………………….15.5
9. Stacy Evans (1993-94)…………………………………..15.0
Kalimba Edwards (1998-01) ……………………….15.0
George Gause (2001-04)……………………………..15.0
Darius English (2012-16)………………………………15.0
Kingsley Enagbare (2018-21) ………………15.0
WHY JJ?: Kingsley Enagbare was tagged with the nickname “JJ” as a youngster in deference to the children’s television series Jay Jay the Jet Plane.
UNDER PRESSURE: In addition to his team-leading 7.0 tackles for loss and his team-best 4.5 sacks this season, JJ Enagbare has been credited with 11 of Carolina’s 34 quarterback hurries.
BRAD IS A BAD MAN: Fifth-year senior Brad Johnson made a successful transition from defensive end to linebacker this season. He is second on the squad with 70 tackles, including 4.0 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He posted a game-high nine tackles at East Carolina, then had a career-high 11 stops against Kentucky along with a fumble recovery. He also led the team with nine stops against Auburn.
He intercepted the first pass of his career at Missouri and has a fumble recovery.
GONE GREENE: Fifth-year senior Sherrod Greene, the Gamecocks’ top linebacker, suffered a serious lower leg injury on the second play from scrimmage at Georgia and missed the rest of the season after undergoing surgery. It’s the second-straight year that the season ended prematurely for Greene, as he suffered a season-ending fracture in his hip in the 2020 opener against Tennessee.
STALEY STEPS UP: With the loss of Sherrod Greene, Damani Staley stepped up. The Super Senior, who is the son of former Gamecock and NFL running back Duce Staley, is third on the team with 62 tackles, including a career-high nine stops against Kentucky and Clemson. He also has a pair of INTs, including a pick-six at East Carolina, and a fumble recovery. He gained his first career sack at Mizzou.
CLASS ACT: Linebacker Spencer Eason-Riddle was one of 30 candidates for the prestigious Senior CLASS Award. He was also a semifinalist for the Campbell Trophy and was nominated for the Wuerffel Trophy. Eason-Riddle owns two degrees, graduating in May 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in public health and in May 2021 with a master’s degree in health services policy and management. He has been a regular at the Dorn VA Medical Center and the oncology center of the Prisma Health Children’s Hospital among other community service endeavors. He founded and developed the “Sandstorm Buddies Program” which matches student-athletes with cancer patients and their families, where they can serve in a mentor capacity. He also spearheaded a shoe drive in 2021, asking fellow student-athletes and staff to donate lightly worn shoes and cleats to the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Midlands so they can be used by area middle or high school students
TOP COVER CORNER: Cam Smith is considered the Gamecocks’ top cover corner. Despite working through some injuries, both preseason and in-season, Smith earned second-team All-SEC honors according to both the AP and PFF, after collecting 41 tackles, including a career-high 10 at Missouri, and 11 pass breakups. He had three interceptions this season, and has five in his career. He ranks second in the SEC with 14 passes defended.
FOSTER HAS BEEN GOING BANANAS: “Super Senior” Jaylan Foster had an All-America campaign. A second-team Walter Camp All-American, has been named first-team All-SEC by the Associated Press, the league’s coaches, Phil Steele and by USA TODAY. The former walk-on who began his career at Gardner-Webb, leads the team with 91 tackles, including a career-high 13 stops against Tennessee, and is tied for the NCAA lead with five interceptions. It’s the most INTs by a Gamecock since Ko Simpson picked off six passes in 2004. He is 12th in the SEC in tackles per game. He forced a pair of fumbles in the win over Troy, both coming in the fourth quarter with the Trojans in Carolina territory, helping preserve the win. Foster was named a Sporting News Midseason All-American
and was a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, which recognizes the nation’s top defensive back.
PICK THIS: The Gamecocks are tied for 10th in the nation with 15 interceptions, including five by Jaylan Foster, three by Cam Smith and a trio of pick-sixes by Jordan Burch, Damani Staley and David Spaulding.
INTERCEPTIONS 2021 CAREER
Jaylan Foster 5 5
Cam Smith 3 5
R.J. Roderick 0 2
David Spaulding 1 2
Damani Staley 2 2
Jordan Burch 1 1
Jaylin Dickerson 0 1
Sherrod Greene 0 1
Brad Johnson 1 1
Darius Rush 1 1
Jordan Strachan 1 1
Special Teams
BEAMER BALL 2.0: The Gamecocks have blocked three punts and a field goal this season. They blocked two punts in the season opener against Eastern Illinois, both by Debo Williams, then got another from Jahmar Brown in the win over Troy. Williams, who was named the SEC Freshman of the Week for his efforts, became the first SEC player to record two blocked punts in a game since Florida’s Chris Rainey in 2010. Prior to the three this season, the Gamecocks had not blocked a punt since 2014. M.J. Webb blocked a field goal attempt at Texas A&M. The school single-season record for blocked kicks is eight, set in 1994. The three blocked punts are a high since blocking three in 2000. With four blocked kicks and three blocked punts, the Gamecocks are tied for the SEC lead in both categories and tied for ninth- and seventh-nationally in blocked kicks and blocked punts, respectively.
SPECIAL TEAMS SCORE: Carolina got a touchdown from its special teams when punter Kai Kroeger connected with Payton Mangrum on a 44-yard pass on a fake punt at Tennessee. Carolina has five non-offensive TDs this season.
WHITE ON THE MONEY: Parker White is the first four-year returning starter in school history. With 356 career points, he needs three to tie and four to surpass Elliott Fry’s school record of 359 points scored. He has converted 45-of-51 (88.2 pct.) field goal attempts from inside 40 yards and owns a career long of 54 yards. He is tied for fourth among active kickers with 69 career field goals. White owns six fourth-quarter or overtime game-winning field goals in his career.
PARKER’S BEEN NEARLY PERFECT: Parker White has been nearly perfect this season, connecting on 13-of-14 field goal attempts and all 27 of his extra point attempts. He is the Gamecocks’ leading scorer with 66 points. His career-long 54-yard field goal versus Kentucky ties for the 15th-longest in the country this season and tied for the fourth-longest in school history.
SEC ACCOLADES: Parker White has been recognized as the SEC Co-Special Teams Player of the Week twice this season – at East Carolina and versus Florida. He connected on a 39-yard game-tying field goal with 6:46 remaining at ECU, then converted a 36-yard field goal as time expired to lift Carolina to the win. He earned the distinction again after the win over Florida when he hit on a career-high four field goals and scored a career-high 16 points. He became the first Gamecock to make four field goals in a game since 2015. He was also named the Co-SEC Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts in the 2018 win over Missouri when he hit on all three of his field goal tries on a soggy field, including a 33-yard game-winner in the final seconds.
FROM WAY DOWNTOWN, BANG: Parker White drilled a 54-yard field late in the game against Kentucky. It was the longest of White’s career, surpassing his previous long of 50 yards, set against Appalachian State in 2019. The 54-yard field goal matched the fourth-longest in school history.
LONGEST FIELD GOALS
1. 58 Mark Fleetwood Georgia 09/25/82
2. 55 Ryan Succop Vanderbilt 10/21/06
55 Elliott Fry Vanderbilt 09/01/16
4. 54 Scott Hagler Clemson 11/23/85
54 Ryan Succop Arkansas 11/08/08
54 Parker White Kentucky 09/25/21
KAI KROEGER CAN KICK: Second-year punter Kai Kroeger was named to the SEC Coaches’ all-Freshman team in 2020. In 2021, Kroeger has punted 57 times for a 43.0-yard average with a long of 73 yards at Texas A&M, the longest in the SEC this season and tied for the 20th-longest punt in the country in 2021. He’s had 14 punts of 50-plus yards with 21 inside the 20 and just two touchbacks. He was named to the “Ray’s 8” list by the Ray Guy Award for his efforts against Kentucky when he placed four of five punts inside the 20. He averaged 56.8 yards on four punts vs. Vanderbilt, earning SEC Special Teams Player of the Week and Ray Guy National Punter of the Week honors. Kroeger who is also considered one of the top holders in the country, threw a 44-yard touchdown pass on a fake punt at Tennessee.
REMEMBERING THE 70s: Kai Kroeger has boomed a pair of punts this season that have traveled 70 yards or more. Since 1984, Carolina has recorded just five punts that have covered 70-plus yards. Here is the short list of which Kroeger is the only name listed twice:
North Carolina Tar Heels Notes
TAR HEELS AND GAMECOCKS
North Carolina and South Carolina will meet on the football field for the 59th time in the 2021 Duke’s Mayo Bowl on Thursday, Dec. 30 in Charlotte, N.C.
• The first meeting dates back to 1908, however, this will only be the fifth head-to-head meeting since 1991.
• Once conference rivals in the Atlantic Coast Conference, the two schools met at least twice every decade from 1900-1980. While members of the ACC (South Carolina left in 1971), the two schools played every year from 1953-70 with the exception of 1965 and 1966. In those 16 meetings as ACC opponents, North Carolina won nine times.
• The rivalry will continue in 2023 in Charlotte on opening weekend from Bank of America Stadium. • A home-and-home series is scheduled in Columbia in 2028 and in Chapel Hill in 2029.
CAROLINA BOWL HISTORY
• Carolina, who is making its 36th postseason bowl appearance, owns a 15-20 all-time record in bowl games.
• The Tar Heels are playing in a bowl game for the third year in a row. Last season, Carolina fell 41-27 to Texas A&M in the Orange Bowl.
• In 2019, UNC defeated Temple, 55-13, at the Military Bowl.
MACK BROWN’S BOWL HISTORY
• Mack Brown owns a 15-9 record in bowl games, including guiding the Tar Heels to six-straight appearances from 1992-97 and in 2019 and 2020.
• Brown is 4-3 in bowl games he coached at UNC, winning the 1993 Peach Bowl over Mississippi State, 21-17, the 1995 Carquest Bowl over Arkansas, 20-10, the 1997 Gator Bowl over West Virginia, 20-13 and the 2019 Military Bowl over Temple, 55-13. He left for Texas before the 1998 Gator Bowl.
BROWN VS. SOUTH CAROLINA
• Mack Brown is 2-3 against South Carolina with all five games coming as the head coach of the Tar Heels.
CAROLINA AT THE DUKE’S MAYO BOWL
Carolina is 1-3 in four previous bowl games played in Charlotte, N.C. UNC lost to Boston College, 37-24, in 2004, lost to West Virginia, 31-30, in 2008, lost to Pittsburgh, 19-17, in 2009 and defeated Cincinnati, 39-17, in 2013.
UP NEXT
• Carolina opens the 2022 season at home against FAMU on Aug. 27.
CLOSE CALLS
• Since the return of Mack Brown to take over the program in 2019, Carolina owns a 21-16 overall record.
• 11 of the 16 losses have been by seven points or less with three setbacks coming in overtime.
• The first two losses in 2020 came by a mere three points at FSU and at Virginia.
• Nine of Carolina’s 13 games in 2019 were decided by seven points or fewer. That was the most by any team in the AP Poll era going back to 1936.
• UNC lost 43-41 in six overtimes at Virginia Tech in the longest game in ACC history.
• The Tar Heels also lost twice in overtime on the road at Pitt, 34-27 (2019) and 30-23 (2021).
1K X 1K
• North Carolina, Alabama, Kentucky and Ohio State are the only four Power 5 programs to have a 1,000-yard rusher and 1,000-yard
receiver in 2021.
• Josh Downs has a school record 1,273 receiving yards, while Ty Chandler has 1,063 rushing yards.
HOWELL’S BOWL GAME HISTORY
• Sam Howell owns a 1-1 record in two previous bowl game appearances, winning the Military Bowl, 55-13, over Temple in 2019, and falling to Texas A&M, 41-27, last year in the Orange Bowl.
• Howell is 43 of 65 for 528 passing yards and six passing touchdowns and one interception in his two-game bowl career. He has rushed for 78 yards on 15 carries and caught a 2-yard receiving TD against the Owls.
• Against Temple, Howell was 25 of 34 for 294 yards and three passing TDs and rushed three times for 53 yards.
• Against Texas A&M, Howell was 18 of 31 for 234 yards and three passing TDs and rushed 12 times for 25 yards.
OFFENSE CONTINUES TO SHINE
• Carolina has posted three of the top five total offense performances in program history since head coach Mack Brown, offensive coordinator Phil Longo and quarterback Sam Howell arrived in Chapel Hill in 2019.
• The Tar Heels set the school record last year with 556.6 yards per game behind an offense that featured Howell and current NFL players Dyami Brown, Michael Carter, Dazz Newsome and Javonte Williams.
TOTAL OFFENSE PER GAME AVERAGE
Rk. Year Yards
1. 2020. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 556.6
2. 2015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 486.9
3. 2012. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 485.6
4. 2021. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 479.6
5. 2019. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 474.0
DON’T BLINK
• North Carolina ranks third in the ACC with 479.6 yards of total offense per game. The Tar Heels exceeded 500 yards of offense five times this season and posted more than 600 yards in back-to-back games against Georgia State (607) and a season-high 699 yards against Virginia. The Tar Heels also produced 564 yards at #11 Notre Dame, a season high on the road in 2021.
• Carolina leads the ACC with 219.7 rushing yards per game. The Tar Heels last led the league in rushing back in 1994 behind the duo of Curtis Johnson and Leon Johnson.
• Carolina and Louisville are the only two ACC teams to average 200 or more yards through the air and on the ground.
• UNC’s 118 points against Georgia State and Virginia were tied for the 2nd most points in consecutive games, tying the feat against
Virginia Medical and Wake Forest in 1914, and trails only the 125 points scored against Duke and Miami in 2015.
• Since Mack Brown’s return in 2019, Carolina has posted six of the top-20 single-game total yard figures in school history. That includes a record 778 yards at Miami in 2020.
• Howell also joined Williams as the only QBs to pass for three and rush for two scores in a game (Williams vs. Baylor in 2015 Russell
Athletic Bowl).
• Howell accumulated 456 total yards (sixth most at UNC) against Georgia State with 352 passing and a career-high 104 rushing yards.
• Howell added 412 total yards against Virginia the following week, a career-high 112 yards on the ground and 307 passing yards. He also tossed five TDs.
• Howell had 442 total yards at #11 Notre Dame, the eighth most in school history, with 342 passing yards and 101 yards on the ground.
MOST 300 PASS/100 RUSH GAMES SINCE ’96
Rk. Name, Years TDs
1. Lamar Jackson, Louisville, 2017. . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2. Johny Manziel, Texas A&M, 2012. . . . . . . . . . 3*
Nick Fitzgerald, Miss State, 2016. . . . . . . . . . . 3
Quinton Flowers, USF, 2017. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Kyler Murray, Oklahoma, 2018. . . . . . . . . . . 3*
Sam Howell, North Carolina, 2021. . . . . . . . 3
* Won Heisman Trophy that season
HOWELL THE FIRST
• Sam Howell became the first Carolina QB to ever have back-to-back 100-yard rushing games and has five such games in 2021. He
joined Marquise Williams as the only two to have at least three games in a season with 100 rushing yards. Williams did it six times in his career (once in 2013, twice in 2014, three times in 2015) and Gayle Bomar twice (once each in 1967 and 1968). Other QBs who did it once include Danny Talbott in 1965, Ricky Lanier 1969, Chuck Sharpe 1979, Jason Stanicek 1992, Ronald Curry 2000 and Darian Durant 2003. (Note: Charlie Justice did it in consecutive games three times, once each in 1946, 1947 and 1948, and 12 times total; Hosea Rodgers 3 times in 1947-48; and Billy Hayes twice in 1949; but none were classified as a quarterback, no one was in those days, although they did much of the team’s passing.)
DOWNS SETS RECEIVING RECORDS
• Sophomore Josh Downs has set UNC records with 98 receptions and 1,273 receiving yards this season.
• Downs is two catches shy of becoming the fourth player in ACC history to notch 100 receptions in a single season.
ACC RECEPTIONS LEADERS
Rk. Player, Team, Year Receptions
1. Jamison Crowder, Duke, 2013. . . . . . . . . 108
2. Steve Ishmael, Syracuse, 2017. . . . . . . . . 105
3. Sammy Watkins, Clemson, 2013. . . . . . . 101
4. Rashad Greene, Florida State, 2014. . . . . 99
5. Kenneth Moore, Wake Forest, 2007. . . . . 98
Mike Williams, Clemson, 2016. . . . . . . . . . 98
Josh Downs, North Carolina, 2021. . . . . . 98
JOSH “TOUCH” DOWNS
• Sophomore wide receiver Josh Downs has been Sam Howell’s favorite target this season.
• Downs leads the ACC (2nd nationally) with 98 receptions and ranks 2nd in the ACC with 1,273 receiving yards (10th nationally).
• Downs is 2nd nationally with 737 yards after catch and 13th nationally with 56 first downs.
• Downs is the first player to register at least eight catches and a TD in eight-straight games since Fresno State’s Davante Adams in 2013 when he did it in nine-straight games.
• Downs enjoyed a stretch of catching a TD in eight straight games, a streak that tied for the third longest in ACC history. Clemson’s DeAndre Hopkins set the record with 10 in a row in 2012 that broke the record of nine that was set by Virginia’s Herman Moore in 1990. Wake Forest’s Sage Surratt (2018-19) and NC State’s Bryan Underwood (2012) also put together eight-game streaks in the last decade.
• He recorded a career-high 203 receiving yards against Virginia, the eighth most in program history, and had two receiving touchdowns
from 59 and 37 yards in the first quarter.
GROUND GAME
• Grad transfer running back Ty Chandler earned All-ACC second-team honors in 2021 by rushing for a team-high 1,063 yards. He ranks third in the ACC with 88.6 rushing yards per game and 13 rushing touchdowns.
• Chandler is just the 20th UNC player to register 1,000 rushing yards in a single season.
• Chandler exploded for a career-high 213 rushing yards on 22 carries and four rushing TDs against Wake Forest.
• He is the first UNC player to have four rushing touchdowns in a game since Leon Johnson in 1993.
• Chandler is also just the third player with 200+ rushing yards and four or more rushing TDs against a CFP Top 10 opponent. The other
two are Ohio State’s Ezekiel Elliott (2015 vs. Oregon) and Ole Miss’ John Rhys Plumlee (2019 vs. LSU).
• Chandler rushed for 198 yards and Carolina racked up 392 yards on the ground against Virginia on Sept. 18.
• Chandler’s previous career high was 158 rushing yards at UT against UTEP in 2018.
• He busted out a 60-yard run against the Cavaliers and scored a pair of rushing TDs.
• Chandler took a wheel route the distance for a 75-yard receiving TD against Duke.
3RD-DOWN CONVERSIONS
• Carolina is fourth in the ACC by converting 45.5 percent (70 of 154) of its third-down opportunities.
EXPLOSIVE PLAYS
• Carolina leads the ACC with seven plays of 60 or more yards, 21 plays of 40+ yards and 12 plays of 50+ yards.
• Running back Ty Chandler has five plays this fall of 50 or more yards, tied for the seventh most in the country.
SACK PARTY
• Carolina had a season-high six sacks in the regular season finale at NC State. Tomon Fox had 2.5 sacks, while Chris Collins added 1.5 sacks against the Wolfpack.
• Five different Tar Heels registered sacks against Duke on Oct. 2., with one each coming from Tomon Fox, Tomari Fox, Myles Murphy,
Chris Colllins and Kevin Hester, Jr.
• Hester’s sack of the Blue Devil QB caused a fumble that was picked up and returned 63 yards for a touchdown by Trey Morrison.
TAKEAWAY ARTISTS
• Carolina has 14 takeaways on defense this season after coming up with 11 turnovers in 2020.
• UNC is tied for fifth in the ACC with 11 interceptions.
• Cam’Ron Kelly is tied for the ACC lead with four interceptions, while Ja’Qurious Conley and Cedric Gray each have a pair of interceptions.
• Conley, Gray, Desmond Evans and Trey Morrison have each made a fumble recovery.
• Morrison scooped up a fumble and scored from 63 yards out against Duke.
• UNC has also forced six fumbles in 2021.
FOX PASSES LT ON CAREER SACKS LIST
• Tomon Fox was credited with a half sack against Virginia Tech that moved him past Pro Football Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor on the
program’s all-time sack list.
• Fox leads UNC with 7.5 sacks in 2021 and is currently third in school history with 28.5 career sacks and seventh with 41.0 career tackles for loss.
MENACING MURPHY
• Sophomore defensive lineman Myles Murphy earned All-ACC second-team honors during his breakout sophomore season. He is second on the team with 7.5 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks.
CAUSING A RUCKUS
• Sophomore linebacker Kaimon Rucker is tied for second on the team with 4.0 sacks and third with 5.5 tackles for loss.
• His best game of the season came against Virginia with two sacks, a forced fumble and five total tackles.
TOUCHBACK TALENT
• Jonathan Kim is second in the ACC with a touchback percentage of 75.9 percent (60 of 79).
• His percentage ranks 14th nationally.
BIGGERS BLOCKS PUNTS
• Giovanni Biggers is one of 17 players in the country to block two kicks or punts in 2021.
• Biggers blocked punts this season at Georgia Tech and against Miami.
• Carolina leads the ACC and is tied for first among Power 5 programs with five total blocks.
WINNING THE 4Q
• UNC is enjoying a +31 (115-84) scoring margin in the fourth quarter this season.
• Carolina led the nation in fourth-quarter scoring margin spanning the 2019 and 2020 seasons at +116.
• In 2019, Carolina ranked third in FBS (1st ACC) with a +69 (120-51) point differential in the fourth quarter.
• Carolina was +47 in 2020 in the fourth quarter, the fourth best mark nationally.
• In comparison, UNC ranked ninth worst in FBS in 2017-18 at -72.
