Hatty sar
Defenses to slug it out Saturday
BY POWELL LATIMER
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
When No. 19 North Carolina
faces No. 22 Georgia Tech on'
Saturday, two of the ACC’s most
athletic and talented defenses will
square off.
Georiga Tech sits atop the
standings in almost every major
defensive category. The Yellow
Jackets are allowing a miserly
13.3 points per game - fewest in
the ACC. They also rank second
in the ACC in both rush and pass
defense.
But while North Carolina sits
behind Georgia Tech in both of
those categories, the Tar Heel
defense inspires just as much
fear.
The reason? North Carolina
leads the ACC and the nation in
interceptions.
The Tar Heel’s defensive sec
ondary has racked up 17 intercep
tions thus far in the year - taking
four back to the house.for touch
downs.
That’s a big part of the reason
Former Clef Hanger to
host event this evening
BY KAMMIE DANIELS
STAFF WRITER
Former UNC Clef Hanger
Brendan James will return to
Chapel Hill to perform his debut
album The Day is Brave for
Homecoming.
His experience as a Clef Hanger,
along with the ability to write and
perform his own music, propelled
this 2002 UNC graduate from
an a capella group member to a
growing solo star with his first
album debuting on the Top 10
Billboard Heatseeker Charts with
Newsweek and Entertainment
Weekly.
When you’re a Clef Hanger,
you feel like you want to give back
to the group,” said James. “Just
because they gave me so much.”
This year, Homecoming will
focus on rediscovering Carolina,
the program seeking to unite
Alumni and current students
with the Tar Heel association they
share.
Anita Walton, manager of
Homecoming and Affinity
Reunions, was thrilled when James
expressed interest in returning for
the event.
that UNC’s offense is ranked as
one of the most efficient in the
ACC l7 times they’ve started
with a short field due to an inter
ception.
UNC also has more intercep
tion return yards than any other
team in the ACC by almost 200
yards.
Georgia Tech, on the other
hand, can generate turnovers and
field position through it’s vaunted
defensive line.
Michael Johnson and Derrick
Morgan lead the Ramblin’ Wreck’s
defensive pass rush, combining for
11.5 of Ga. Tech’s 21 sacks.
On the offensive side of the
ball, Georgia Tech has adopted
new coach Paul Johnson’s triple
option offense and leads the ACC
in rushing yards.
Sophomore running back Josh
Nesbitt ranks ninth in the ACC
in rushing yards per game, but he
doesn’t top the Yellow Jackets’ list
of weapons.
Fellow sophomore running back
Jonathan Dwyer ranks No. 2 in
“People have this amazing con
nection to the Clefs and there’s
also the alumni connection,” said
Walton. “We thought it’d be gre|it
to bring him back home.”
James returns to Chapel Hill
usually about twice a year and in
his words “loves it every time.”
However, this year’s
Homecoming will rank among
the biggest performances James
has experienced to this point in his
blossoming career. The program
will feature songs from James’
solo album, all of which he wrote
himself.
“I think music at its core should
be created to help people relax,”
said James. “It should take them
to another place.”
Current sophomore Clef
Hanger Hogan Medlin is excited
to see James in concert. The two
are friends, performing together
periodically when James comes to
Chapel Hill to collaborate with the
group.
“I definitely plan on going to see
him,” said Hogan. “We usually all
try to make it out to his concerts
when he’s here.”
Having performed many times
Homecoming 2008
the ACC while splitting the work
with another of the coferences’ top
rushers.
Both rank higher than UNC
running back Shaun Draughn, the
Tar Heels’ top rusher.
While not the most balanced
offense, the misdirection and orig
inality of the triple option offense
makes stopping Georgia Tech a tall
task."
Fortunately for the Tar Heels,
they have had an extra week to
scheme for Ga. Tech as they are
coming off their bye week.
UNC will also have made some
adjustments to it’s offense, which
leads the ACC in passing efficiency
under junior quarterback Cameron
Sexton, who took over the start
ing job when starting sophomore
quarterback T. J. Yates went down
with an injury.
Now with Yates almost ready
to play again, UNC could have
two once-starting quarterbacks to
chose from.
But it won’t matter who throws
the ball to Hakeem Nicks, the
with the current Clef Hangers,
James has chosen to return
Thursday to perform exclusively
his solo original compositions.
“When I write my music, the sto
ries of the people that are close
to me are what inspire me,” said
James.
The concert will be held at 7
p.m. Thursday in the Great Hall of
the Student Union. James said he
is excited to play to the local audi
ence he knows so well, expressing
his enthusiasm to return to UNC.
The current Clef Hangers also
await the event, the group eager to
show their support for the former
member who continues to keep in
contact with many of the singers.
This opportunity, one member
says, is a stepping stone for James
to widen his fan base and notori
ety.
“I’m really excited,” said Hogan.
“Brendan is going to have the
opportunity to make a name for
himself here,” said Hogan. “And
we’ll be there to show our sup
port”
Contact the Arts Editor
at arts@unc.edu.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2008
leading receiver in the ACC.
Nicks has continued to produce
under both quarterbacks this sea
son and will look to do more of the
same this Saturday against Georgia
Tech’s stingy pass defense.
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UNC vs. Georgia Tech
Game time: Noon
Kenan Stadium
TV: Raycom
Contact the Sports Editor
at sports@unc.edu.
5