Record Setting Day

CHAPEL HILL--- Things were never in doubt for North Carolina Saturday afternoon in its non-conference tussle with Idaho, as the Tar Heels scored less than two minutes into the game and built a 28-0 lead after one quarter on the way to a 66-0 blowout win in the rain at Kenan Stadium.

UNC's 66 points established a new single-game school record for points, breaking the previous record of 65 points that was initially established all the way in 1914 against Virginia Medical, and equaled in 1928 against Wake Forest.

The Tar Heels (3-2) racked up a whopping 371 yards of total offense in the first half, whipping Idaho into submission with a combination of deadly passing by quarterback Bryn Renner, who was 14 of 18 for 231 yards and three scores in a half of action, as well as runs by Giovani Bernard, Romar Morris, and A.J. Blue, who between them combined for 133 yards and three scores over the first two quarters.

Sean Tapley scored Carolina's first touchdown of the day, hauling in a 36-yard pass from Renner on the game's fourth play from scrimmage.

Less than four minutes later the Tar Heels found the end zone again, although it was an adventure as tight end Eric Ebron caught a pass and raced towards the goal line, but fumbled.

Senior wideout Erik Highsmith landed on the ball in the end zone and got credit for the touchdown.

UNC scored again minutes later on a short two-yard run by Bernard, and at the 6:51 mark of the opening period, the Tar Heels had a 21-0 cushion.

Things wouldn't get any easier for the visitors from Idaho, as they again relinquished the ball to the Tar Heels, and again the UNC offense scored, as freshman Quinshad Davis hauled in a 35-yarder from Renner to complete a three-play, 70-yard scoring drive.

Five minutes into the second quarter Bernard scored for the second time on a brilliant 68-yard scamper down the left sideline. He got outstanding blocking from Tapley and others on the run.

The Tar Heels continued to pile onto its lead as the half wound down, as Casey Barth connected from 33 yards out to make the score 38-0 at the 4:51 mark, and Blue scored from three yards out with 1:54 left in the half to give UNC a 45-0 halftime lead.

With the rain picking up in the second half the game turned anti-climactic in a hurry, with UNC persistently running down the clock, Idaho trying unsuccessfully to slow them down, and the wet fans, huddled up underneath the enclosed portions of Kenan Stadium, trying desperately to stay dry and warm.

But like the fans struggling in the cool rain, Idaho wasn't having much luck slowing down the Tar Heels.

Carolina padded its lead in the third quarter with another pair of scores---Davis's second touchdown reception of 35 yards, and a short keeper by quarterback Marquise Williams, who played the entire second half under center.

Through three quarters of play, UNC held a remarkable 521-168 advantage over Idaho in offensive yardage.

As the UNC offense exploded on the Vandals, the Tar Heel defense posted another solid game, its third straight game this fall at home without allowing a touchdown.

Carolina shut out Elon and held East Carolina to two field goals in last week's win.

Idaho's offense spent the day confused and bewildered by Carolina's constant blitzing and moving around. They never seriously threatened to score any points, and were intercepted four times---the last setting up the touchdown that set the school record.

It was Williams who scored the record-breaking touchdown for the Tar Heels, wrapping up a solid half of work in which the redshirt freshman quarterback didn't make any critical mistakes.

With its non-conference slate now concluded, Carolina turns its attention to ACC Coastal Division nemesis Virginia Tech, who comes to Chapel Hill next week for a huge game with major conference implications. That kickoff is scheduled for 12:30 pm.