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Running Game Impressive In Spring Scrimmage
April 7, 2008
Chapel Hill, N.C. ---- North Carolina tailbacks Greg Little, Ryan Houston and Devon Ramsay combined for 137 yards and three touchdowns in the Tar Heels' final spring scrimmage Monday afternoon at Kenan Stadium. Quarterbacks Mike Paulus and Cameron Sexton also performed well, leading the team on back-to-back touchdown drives to open the scrimmage. "I think we've had a very positive spring practice," head coach Butch Davis said. "One of the things we wanted to find out was about our running game and I thought today was a positive step forward. We've worked pretty hard all spring trying to develop consistency, continuity, a tough mental attitude about running the football." Little, a native of Durham, N.C., led the team with 51 yards on 11 carries, Houston had 44 on 10 attempts and Ramsay rushed for 42 on 10 tries. A wide receiver most of last season, Little started the final two games of 2007 at tailback against Georgia Tech and Duke. He rushed for 154 yards and two scores against the Blue Devils, including the game-winner in overtime. The Tar Heels were without the services of last season's record-setting quarterback T.J. Yates, who missed the entire spring after undergoing shoulder surgery on Dec. 17. Yates was cleared to throw for the first time Monday, but did not participate in the scrimmage. Paulus, a redshirt freshman from Syracuse, N.Y., started and finished 11 of 16 for 159 yards. Sexton, a junior from Laurinburg, N.C., was 7 of 9 for 104 yards and one interception.
"Both of them today showed flashes," said Davis. "Mike had a positive day. He had no turnovers, was efficient with the football and showed some pocket presence. In Cam's second spring practice, it is infinitely better than the spring practice he had a year ago. They both took advantage of the fact that T.J. wasn't there." Defensively, defensive tackle Tydreke Powell had a team-high six tackles and posted two sacks. The scrimmage, which was rescheduled from Saturday due to heavy rain, was the 14th of 15 days of spring practices allowed under NCAA rules. Carolina will wrap up its 2008 spring season with one more workout on Tuesday. Passing Rushing Receiving Tackles Sacks Fumble Recovery Interception |
