2008 North Carolina Tar Heels football team

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2008 North Carolina Tar Heels football
Meineke Car Care Bowl, L 30–31 vs. West Virginia
Conference	Atlantic Coast Conference
Division	Coastal
Record	0–5, 8^[1] 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
Captain	Ryan Taylor, Matt Merletti, Garrett Reynolds, Hakeem Nicks, Trimane Goddard, Mark Paschal
Home stadium	Kenan Memorial Stadium
Seasons ← 2007 2009 →

2008 Atlantic Coast Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
Atlantic Division
Boston College xy	5	–	3	9	–	5
No. 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 Division
No. 15 Virginia Tech xy$	5	–	3	10	–	4
No. 22 Georgia Tech x	5	–	3	9	–	4
North Carolina	0	–	4	0	–	5
Miami (FL)	4	–	4	7	–	6
Virginia	3	–	5	5	–	7
Duke	1	–	7	4	–	8
Championship: Virginia Tech 30, Boston College 12
$ – BCS representative as conference 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 at Chapel Hill as a member of Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) during the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by second-year head coach Butch Davis, the Tar Heels played their home games at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina finished the season 8–5 overall and 4–4 in ACC play to tie for third in the Coastal Division. The Tar Heels lost to West Virginia in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. In 2011, North Carolina vacated all its wins from the 2008 and 2009 seasons.^[1]

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.

College recruiting information
Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	40^‡	Commit date
A. J. Blue QB	Dallas, North Carolina	North Gaston HS	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	208 lb (94 kg)	4.6	Jan 18, 2008
A. J. Blue QB	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 75
Zach Brown LB	Columbia, Maryland	Hargrave Military Academy	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	213 lb (97 kg)	4.42	Jan 20, 2008
Zach Brown LB	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 79
Jonathan Cooper OG	Wilmington, North Carolina	John T. Hoggard HS	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	296 lb (134 kg)	5.1	Jan 25, 2008
Jonathan Cooper OG	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 78
Quinton Coples DE	Kinston, North Carolina	Hargrave Military Academy	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	237 lb (108 kg)	4.65	Feb 6, 2008
Quinton Coples DE	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 78
Herman Davidson S	Long Beach, California	Polytechnic HS	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	215 lb (98 kg)	4.5	Feb 6, 2008
Herman Davidson S	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 40
Dion Guy LB	Washington, D.C.	Woodson HS	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	219 lb (99 kg)	4.61	Feb 4, 2008
Dion Guy LB	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 40
Braden Hanson QB	Charlotte, North Carolina	Charlotte Latin HS	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	197 lb (89 kg)	NA	Jul 10, 2007
Braden Hanson QB	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 73
Todd Harrelson WR	Chesapeake, Virginia	Oscar F. Smith HS	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	188 lb (85 kg)	4.53	Jun 28, 2007
Todd Harrelson WR	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 78
Kenneth Harris LB	Decatur, Georgia	Columbia HS	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	206 lb (93 kg)	4.60	Feb 3, 2008
Kenneth Harris LB	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 40
Dwight Jones WR	Burlington, North Carolina	Cummings HS	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	210 lb (95 kg)	4.61	Jan 26, 2007
Dwight Jones WR	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 81
Michael McAdoo DE	Antioch, Tennessee	Antioch HS	6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)	228 lb (103 kg)	4.75	Jan 31, 2008
Michael McAdoo DE	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 77
Ebele Okakpu LB	Roswell, Georgia	Roswell HS	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	208 lb (94 kg)	4.50	Aug 4, 2007
Ebele Okakpu LB	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 75
Robert Quinn DE	North Charleston, South Carolina	Fort Dorchester HS	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	250 lb (110 kg)	4.72	Feb 6, 2008
Robert Quinn DE	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 80
Kevin Reddick LB	New Bern, North Carolina	New Bern HS	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	220 lb (100 kg)	4.57	Jan 13, 2008
Kevin Reddick LB	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 78
Joseph Townsend DT	San Jose, California	Foothill College	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	290 lb (130 kg)	4.87	Feb 9, 2008
Joseph Townsend DT	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: NA
Randy White TE	Bristol, Virginia	Virginia HS	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	234 lb (106 kg)	4.79	Jun 15, 2007
Randy White TE	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 73
Melvin Williams S	Lebanon, Tennessee	Coffeyville CC	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	203 lb (92 kg)	4.55	Oct 23, 2007
Melvin Williams S	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: NA
Christian Wilson TE	McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania	Montour HS	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	235 lb (107 kg)	4.60	Feb 6, 2008
Christian Wilson TE	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 81
Jamal Womble RB	Sierra Vista, Arizona	Buena HS	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	221 lb (100 kg)	4.41	Dec 5, 2007
Jamal Womble RB	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 78
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 15 Rivals: 16
‡ Refers to 40 yard dash Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "2007 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. 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.^[2]^[3]

Name	Position ^[4]	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

Brad Davis (graduate assistant)

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 – Freshman
87 Brandon Tate – Senior
88 Hakeem Nicks – Junior

Offensive lineman

60 Zack Handerson – Sophomore
64 Jonathan Cooper – Freshman
65 Cam Holland – Freshman
66 Mike Ingersoll – Sophomore
67 Morgan Randall – Sophomore
68 Mike Dykes – Freshman
69 Lowell Dyer – Junior
70 Alan Pelc – Sophomore
71 Carl Gaskins – Freshman
72 Kyle Jolly – Junior
73 Aaron Stahl – Junior
74 Sam Ellis – Sophomore
75 Garrett Reynolds – Senior
76 Bryon Bishop – Senior
77 Kevin Bryant – 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 – 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 – Freshman

Fullback

4 Bobby Rome – Junior
6 Anthony Elzy – Sophomore
43 Curtis Byrd – Sophomore

Defensive tackle

9 Marvin Austin – Sophomore
91 Tydreke Powell – 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 – Freshman
34 Johnny White – Sophomore
37 LaCount Fantroy – 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 – 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
32 Jeff Everett – Freshman
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 – 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^[5]
September 11	7:45 p.m.	at Rutgers*		Rutgers Stadium Piscataway, NJ	ESPN	W 44–12 (vacated)	42,502^[5]
September 20	3:30 p.m.	Virginia Tech		Kenan Memorial Stadium Chapel Hill, NC	ABC/ESPN	L 17–20	59,800^[5]
September 27	12:00 p.m.	at Miami (FL)		Dolphin Stadium Miami Gardens, FL	ESPN2	W 28–24 (vacated)	35,830^[5]
October 4	7:00 p.m.	No. 23 Connecticut*		Kenan Memorial Stadium Chapel Hill, NC	ESPN2	W 38–12 (vacated)	59,500^[5]
October 11	3:30 p.m.	Notre Dame*	No. 22	Kenan Memorial Stadium Chapel Hill, NC (rivalry)	ABC/ESPN	W 29–24 (vacated)	60,000^[5]
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^[5]
October 25	12:00 p.m.	Boston College		Kenan Memorial Stadium Chapel Hill, NC	Raycom	W 45–24 (vacated)	48,000^[5]
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^[5]
November 15	3:30 p.m.^[6]	at Maryland	No. 17	Byrd Stadium College Park, MD	ABC/ESPN	L 15–17	46,113^[5]
November 22	12:00 p.m.^[7]	North Carolina State		Kenan Memorial Stadium Chapel Hill, NC (rivalry)	Raycom	L 10–41	60,000^[5]
November 29	3:30 p.m.^[8]	at Duke		Wallace Wade Stadium Durham, NC (Victory Bell)	ESPNU	W 28–20 (vacated)	30,322^[5]
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^[5]
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Eastern time

Game summaries

McNeese State

	1	2	3	4	Total
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.^[9]

Rutgers

	1	2	3	4	Total
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.^[10]

References

^ ^a ^b North Carolina has vacated all wins from the 2008 and 2009 football seasons: "North Carolina Response to Notice of NCAA Allegations" (PDF). September 19, 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 11, 2011. Retrieved September 19, 2011.
^ "Butch Davis Agrees To Contract Extension Archived 2007-12-24 at the Wayback Machine." tarheelblue.com. Retrieved on January 28, 2008.
^ "Pagano Headed Back To NFL." tarheelblue.com. Retrieved on February 12, 2008.
^ "North Carolina Coaching Staff Archived 2007-12-14 at the Wayback Machine." tarheelblue.com. Retrieved on January 28, 2008.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m "UNC Football Media Guide, 2009".
^ "The Daily Tar Heel. (Chapel Hill, N.C.) 1929-1943, November 14, 2008, Image 1 · North Carolina Newspapers (digitalnc.org)".
^ "The Daily Tar Heel. (Chapel Hill, N.C.) 1929-1943, November 22, 2008, Page 3, Image 3 · North Carolina Newspapers (digitalnc.org)".
^ "The Daily Tar Heel. (Chapel Hill, N.C.) 1929-1943, November 25, 2008, Page 4, Image 4 · North Carolina Newspapers (digitalnc.org)".
^ "McNeese State vs. North Carolina - Game Recap - August 30, 2008 - ESPN". Archived from the original on July 8, 2012.
^ "North Carolina vs. Rutgers - Game Recap - September 11, 2008 - ESPN". Archived from the original on July 9, 2012.

v t e North Carolina Tar Heels football
Venues	Emerson Field (1916–1926) Kenan Memorial Stadium (1927–present)
Bowls & rivalries	Bowl games Duke: Victory Bell NC State South Carolina Virginia: South's Oldest Rivalry Wake Forest
Culture & lore	First forward pass Rameses The Marching Tar Heels 2010 football scandal 2011 academic-athletic scandal
People	Head coaches All-Americans NFL draftees Statistical leaders
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