I picked West Virginia to win its bowl game with North Carolina.
I wanted Carolina to win for the ACC. What we got in the middle was a terrific football game marred by a Shaun Draughn (Tarboro native) fumble, or was it.
There was a review and according to replay there was a fumble and I agree there was a fumble but one question I must ask is what has happened to forward progress?
Draughn was clearing at the point he could not go any further, in fact, when they started pushing him back it almost looked as if the way he was tangled up that he might be hurt. Where was the whistle to stop the play? Draughn's fumble is clearly a yard or more behind where he last made any movement on his part forward.
I could not hear a whistle even after West Virginia recovered the ball.
This game started out as if both teams left their defenses home. The score should have been 21-21 all at the end of the first quarter, but Carolina called a timeout and their score came off the board on the last play of the quarter.
That timeout is the difference in the game, not the fumble which happened in the fourth quarter.
WRAL-TV ran a story on Hakeem Hicks returning home to Charlotte (Independence grad) to play in this game, which probably was his last for Carolina. He should be a high draft pick in the NFL Draft.
West Virginia,in the first half, didn't have anybody to stay with Hicks.
You have to say one thing for Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Regardless of who you are, you are within driving distance to this game. They have had very good success selling tickets to this venue.
West Virginia beats the Heels, 31-30.
If you are wondering who the Gryphons will play Monday in the Glaxo Tournament, it's North Mecklenberg. It lost to St. Raymond's of New York City 58-51 and it took a big fourth quarter for St Raymond's to win.
Rocky Mount-North Mecklenberg (first-ever meeting) is set for Monday at 2.20 p.m. in Holliday Gym at Broughton High School.
We will look at the wacky last week of the NFL regular season before the kickoffs Sunday.
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UNC did not actually call a timeout at the end of the first quarter. The clock expired to zero to end the quarter. Based on replaying it twice ... just barely. The play calling by UNC was conservative on the next four plays not to get in the endzone. Draughn fumbling four times in last three ganes is not acceptable. UNC could be looking for a tailback next season who can hold onto the ball. Lastly, UNC got conservative in the second half with its play calling. WVU had no answer for Nicks and should have looked to him more in the second half. Disappointing end to a season that looked so promisinf after the first nine games.
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