2008 North Carolina Tar Heels football team

2008 North Carolina Tar Heels football
Meineke Car Care Bowl, L 30–31 vs. West Virginia
Conference	Atlantic Coast Conference
Division	Coastal
2008 record	0–5, 8 wins vacated (0–4 ACC, 4 wins vacated)
Head coach	Butch Davis (2nd season)
Offensive coordinator	John Shoop (2nd season)
Offensive scheme	Pro-style
Defensive coordinator	Everett Withers (1st season)
Base defense	4–3
Home stadium	Kenan Memorial Stadium (Capacity: 60,000)
Seasons

2008 ACC football standings
	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
Atlantic
Boston College xy		5	–	3					9	–	5
#21 Florida State x		5	–	3					9	–	4
Maryland		4	–	4					8	–	5
Wake Forest		4	–	4					8	–	5
Clemson		4	–	4					7	–	6
NC State		4	–	4					6	–	7
Coastal
#15 Virginia Tech xy†		5	–	3					10	–	4
#22 Georgia Tech x		5	–	3					9	–	4
North Carolina		4	–	4					8	–	5
Miami		4	–	4					7	–	6
Virginia		3	–	5					5	–	7
Duke		1	–	7					4	–	8
Championship: Virginia Tech 30, Boston College 12
† – BCS representative as champion x – Division champion/co-champions y – Championship game participant North Carolina vacated 8 wins, including 4 ACC wins Rankings from AP Poll

The 2008 North Carolina Tar Heels football team represented the University of North Carolina in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tar Heels played their home games at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, competed in the Atlantic Coast Conference, and were led by second-year coach Butch Davis. The Tar Heels began their season on August 30 against McNeese State at Kenan Memorial Stadium. The team went 4–4 in conference play and 8–5 overall, but in 2011, North Carolina vacated all its wins from the 2008 and 2009 seasons.

Recruiting

The Tar Heels received 16 letters of intent on National Signing Day, February 6, 2008. One student athlete had already enrolled before National Signing Day and one signed several days later, making this class smaller and less-heralded than the previous year's class.

Recruits

Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40‡ Commit date A. J. Blue QB Dallas, North Carolina North Gaston HS 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) 208 lb (94 kg) 4.6 Jan 18, 2008  Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 75 Zach Brown LB Columbia, Maryland Hargrave Military Academy 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) 213 lb (97 kg) 4.42 Jan 20, 2008  Scout:File:4 stars.svg.png   Rivals:File:4 stars.svg.png   ESPN grade: 79 Jonathan Cooper OG Wilmington, North Carolina John T. Hoggard HS 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) 296 lb (134 kg) 5.1 Jan 25, 2008  Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 78 Quinton Coples DE Kinston, North Carolina Hargrave Military Academy 6 ft 6 in (198 cm) 237 lb (108 kg) 4.65 Feb 6, 2008  Scout:File:4 stars.svg.png   Rivals:File:4 stars.svg.png   ESPN grade: 78 Herman Davidson S Long Beach, California Polytechnic HS 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) 215 lb (98 kg) 4.5 Feb 6, 2008  Scout:File:4 stars.svg.png   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 40 Dion Guy LB Washington, D.C. Woodson HS 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) 219 lb (99 kg) 4.61 Feb 4, 2008  Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 40 Braden Hanson QB Charlotte, North Carolina Charlotte Latin HS 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) 197 lb (89 kg) NA Jul 10, 2007  Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 73 Todd Harrelson WR Chesapeake, Virginia Oscar F. Smith HS 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) 188 lb (85 kg) 4.53 Jun 28, 2007  Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 78 Kenneth Harris LB Decatur, Georgia Columbia HS 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) 206 lb (93 kg) 4.60 Feb 3, 2008  Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 40 Dwight Jones WR Burlington, North Carolina Cummings HS 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) 210 lb (95 kg) 4.61 Jan 26, 2007  Scout:File:4 stars.svg.png   Rivals:File:5 stars.svg.png   ESPN grade: 81 Michael McAdoo DE Antioch, Tennessee Antioch HS 6 ft 7 in (201 cm) 228 lb (103 kg) 4.75 Jan 31, 2008  Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 77 Ebele Okakpu LB Roswell, Georgia Roswell HS 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) 208 lb (94 kg) 4.50 Aug 4, 2007  Scout:File:4 stars.svg.png   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 75 Robert Quinn DE North Charleston, South Carolina Fort Dorchester HS 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) 250 lb (110 kg) 4.72 Feb 6, 2008  Scout:File:4 stars.svg.png   Rivals:File:4 stars.svg.png   ESPN grade: 80 Kevin Reddick LB New Bern, North Carolina New Bern HS 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) 220 lb (100 kg) 4.57 Jan 13, 2008  Scout:File:4 stars.svg.png   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 78 Joseph Townsend DT San Jose, California Foothill College 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) 290 lb (130 kg) 4.87 Feb 9, 2008  Scout:File:4 stars.svg.png   Rivals:   ESPN grade: NA Randy White TE Bristol, Virginia Virginia HS 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) 234 lb (106 kg) 4.79 Jun 15, 2007  Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 73 Melvin Williams S Lebanon, Tennessee Coffeyville CC 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) 203 lb (92 kg) 4.55 Oct 23, 2007  Scout:File:4 stars.svg.png   Rivals:File:4 stars.svg.png   ESPN grade: NA Christian Wilson TE McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania Montour HS 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) 235 lb (107 kg) 4.60 Feb 6, 2008  Scout:File:4 stars.svg.png   Rivals:File:4 stars.svg.png   ESPN grade: 81 Jamal Womble RB Sierra Vista, Arizona Buena HS 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) 221 lb (100 kg) 4.41 Dec 5, 2007  Scout:File:4 stars.svg.png   Rivals:File:4 stars.svg.png   ESPN grade: 78 Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 15   Rivals: 16 ‡ Refers to 40 yard dash Note: In many cases, Scout and Rivals may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time. In these cases, an average of the two was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "2007 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. http://www.rivals.com/TeamRank.asp?type=0&sort=0&year=2007. Retrieved March 4, 2008.

Coaching staff

After signing a contract extension at the end of the 2007 season, Butch Davis enters his second season as head coach. Chuck Pagano resigned as defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach to become an assistant coach with the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL. He was replaced by Minnesota assistant Everett Withers.

Name	Position	Seasons in Position
Butch Davis	Head Coach	2nd
John Blake	Associate Head Coach / Recruiting Coordinator / Defensive Line	2nd
Ken Browning	Running Backs	15th
Jeff Connors	Strength and Conditioning Coordinator	8th
Steve Hagen	Tight Ends	2nd
John Lovett	Special Teams Coordinator / Defensive Assistant	2nd
Sam Pittman	Offensive Line	2nd
John Shoop	Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks	2nd
Tommy Thigpen	Linebackers	4th
Charlie Williams	Wide Receivers	2nd
Everett Withers	Defensive Coordinator / Defensive Backs	1st

Roster

Wide Receiver 1 Brooks Foster – Senior 2 Cooter Arnold – Senior 3 Kenton Thornton – Junior 15 Anthony Parker-Boyd – Sophomore 19 Josh Washburn – Junior 23 Quentin Plair – Sophomore 34 Brett Long – Senior 82 Todd Harrelson – Freshman 83 Dwight Jones – Freshman 85 Rashad Mason – Redshirt Freshman 87 Brandon Tate – Senior 88 Hakeem Nicks – Junior Offensive Lineman 60 Zack Handerson – Sophomore 64 Jonathan Cooper – Freshman 65 Cam Holland – Redshirt Freshman 66 Mike Ingersoll – Sophomore 67 Morgan Randall – Sophomore 68 Mike Dykes – Redshirt Freshman 69 Lowell Dyer – Junior 70 Alan Pelc – Sophomore 71 Carl Gaskins – Redshirt Freshman 72 Kyle Jolly – Junior 73 Aaron Stahl – Junior 74 Sam Ellis – Sophomore 75 Garrett Reynolds – Senior 76 Bryon Bishop – Senior 77 Kevin Bryant – Redshirt Freshman 79 Calvin Darity – Senior Half-back 17 Zack Pianalto – Sophomore 33 Christian Wilson – Freshman Tight End 80 Ed Barham – Sophomore 81 B.J. Phillips – Sophomore 86 Randy White – Freshman 89 Richard Quinn – Senior		Quarterback 7 Mike Paulus – Redshirt Freshman 11 Cameron Sexton – Junior 13 T. J. Yates – Sophomore 14 Braden Hanson – Freshman Running Back 5 Jamal Womble – Freshman 8 Greg Little – Sophomore 20 Shaun Draughn – Sophomore 30 Carter Brown – Sophomore 32 Ryan Houston – Sophomore 45 Devon Ramsay – Redshirt Freshman Fullback 4 Bobby Rome – Junior 6 Anthony Elzy – Sophomore 43 Curtis Byrd – Sophomore Defensive tackle 9 Marvin Austin – Sophomore 91 Tydreke Powell – Redshirt Freshman 93 Cam Thomas – Junior 94 Brian White – Junior 96 Tavares Brown – Junior 97 Aleric Mullins – Junior Defensive End 40 Darius Powell – Sophomore 42 Robert Quinn – Freshman 84 Vince Jacobs – Sophomore 90 Quinton Coples – Freshman 92 E. J. Wilson – Junior 94 Michael McAdoo – Freshman 95 Greg Elleby – Sophomore 98 Darrius Massenburg – Sophomore Cornerback 12 Charles Brown – Sophomore 16 Kendric Burney – Sophomore 23 Jordan Hemby – Junior 24 Tavorris Jolly – Sophomore 26 Richie Rich – Junior 29 Brian Gupton – Redshirt Freshman 34 Johnny White – Sophomore 37 LaCount Fantroy – Redshirt Freshman		Linebacker 35 Herman Davidson – Freshman 36 Kennedy Tinsley – Junior 41 Mark Paschal – Senior 44 Chase Rice – Senior 45 Alex Crisp – Sophomore 47 Zach Brown – Freshman 49 Ryan Taylor – Junior 52 Quan Sturdivant – Sophomore 53 Kenneth Harris – Freshman 54 Bruce Carter – Sophomore 55 Linwan Euwell – Redshirt Freshman 57 Dion Guy – Freshman 57 Hayden Hunter – Sophomore 58 Ebele Okakpu – Freshman Safety 7 Josh Stewart – Sophomore 10 Melvin Williams – Junior 21 Da'Norris Searcy – Sophomore 25 Matt Merletti – Sophomore 27 Deunta Williams – Sophomore 28 Jonathan Smith – Sophomore 31 Trimane Goddard – Senior 32 Tyler Caldwell – Junior 43 Jabir Jones – Senior Long Snapper 51 Trevor Stuart – Sophomore 58 Mark House – Sophomore Punter / Place Kicker 11 Casey Barth – Freshman 16 Trase Jones – Sophomore 17 Grant Schallock – Sophomore 18 Jay Wooten – Redshirt Freshman 19 Terrence Brown – Senior 29 Reid Phillips – Sophomore

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 30	6:05 p.m.	McNeese State*		Kenan Memorial Stadium Chapel Hill, NC	ESPN360	W 35–27 (vacated)	58,000
September 11	7:45 p.m.	at Rutgers*		Rutgers Stadium Piscataway, NJ	ESPN	W 44–12 (vacated)	42,502
September 20	3:30 p.m.	Virginia Tech		Kenan Memorial Stadium Chapel Hill, NC	ABC/ESPN	L 17–20	59,800
September 27	12:00 p.m.	at Miami (FL)		Dolphin Stadium Miami Gardens, FL	ESPN2	W 28–24 (vacated)	35,830
October 4	7:00 p.m.	No. 23 Connecticut*		Kenan Memorial Stadium Chapel Hill, NC	ESPN2	W 38–12 (vacated)	59,500
October 11	3:30 p.m.	Notre Dame*	No. 22	Kenan Memorial Stadium Chapel Hill, NC	ABC/ESPN	W 29–24 (vacated)	60,500
October 18	3:30 p.m.	at Virginia	No. 18	Scott Stadium Charlottesville, VA (South's Oldest Rivalry)	ABC/ESPN2	L 13–16 OT	52,342
October 25	12:00 p.m.	Boston College		Kenan Memorial Stadium Chapel Hill, NC	Raycom	W 45–24 (vacated)	48,000
November 8	12:00 p.m.	No. 20 Georgia Tech	No. 19	Kenan Memorial Stadium Chapel Hill, NC	Raycom	W 28–7 (vacated)	59,000
November 15	3:30 p.m.	at Maryland	No. 17	Byrd Stadium College Park, MD	ABC/ESPN	L 15–17	46,113
November 22	12:00 p.m.	North Carolina State		Kenan Memorial Stadium Chapel Hill, NC (Carolina–State Game)	Raycom	L 10–41	60,000
November 29	3:30 p.m.	at Duke		Wallace Wade Stadium Durham, NC (Victory Bell Game)	ESPNU	W 28–20 (vacated)	30,322
December 27	1:00 p.m.	vs. West Virginia*		Bank of America Stadium Charlotte, NC (Meineke Car Care Bowl)	ESPN	L 30–31	73,712
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Eastern time

Did not play: Clemson, Florida State, and Wake Forest. The spring football game is on March 28, 2009.

Game summaries

McNeese State

	1	2	3	4	OT
McNeese State	0	14	6	7	27
North Carolina	7	7	7	14	35

Brandon Tate put on a dazzling one-man show, scoring on an 82-yard punt return and putting North Carolina ahead for good with a 57-yard touchdown catch to help the Tar Heels hold off McNeese State 35-27. Tate finished with a school-record 397 all-purpose yards for the Tar Heels, who showed little else in an unimpressive start to their second season under Butch Davis. In a game suspended nearly two hours due to weather, they blew a 14-0 first-half lead and had to rally from a third-quarter deficit against Football Championship Subdivision McNeese State, who outplayed the Heels much of the way. T. J. Yates had 221 passing yards and 2 touchdowns.

Rutgers

See also: 2008 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team

	1	2	3	4	OT
North Carolina	0	17	21	6	44
Rutgers	3	3	0	6	12

T. J. Yates threw three touchdown passes and the Tar Heels won for the first time outside North Carolina since 2002, beating error-prone Rutgers 44-12 in a nationally televised game that pitted Butch Davis against his former pupil, Greg Schiano. Hakeem Nicks and Brandon Tate combined for 10 catches, 204 receiving yards, and three touchdowns as the Heels offense rolled over Rutgers. Carolina's defense generated 4 Rutgers turnovers (3 INTs and a fumble) and scored off of a 66-yard interception return by Bruce Carter.