Goddard's picks spark Heels

MIAMI — Trimane Goddard's had his fair share of interceptions in his North Carolina career but he's never been a return man.

So his career stat line felt kind of slanted: six interceptions" one yard.

""All the young guys always clown me. They're like" ‘You're the person I know who has the most interceptions but no return yards"'"" he said.

So against Miami he got 35 of them.

And he couldn't stop grinning.

""I finally got to return the ball.""

That wasn't all Goddard did in UNC's 28-24 stunning defeat of Miami on Saturday. The senior also topped the Tar Heel defense's stat chart with eight tackles (six solo)" one break-up and two fourth-quarter interceptions including one that sealed UNC's win by ending Miami's last-second attempt to take the game.

The game-closer which Goddard retrieved after Miami's Kayne Farquharson bobbled in the end zone" certainly made an impression.

""That one at the end — if I'd have kissed him more" my wife would have been jealous I think coach Butch Davis said after the game. God" what a great play that was in the end zone.""

Goddard led a talented UNC defense that managed to do what it couldn't against Virginia Tech — stop the fourth-quarter drives.

""He's a great player and a great person to be around" defensive tackle Aleric Mullins said. To make those two interceptions in the fourth quarter" that's huge for our ball team.""

The first was huge to gain momentum. The second" huge to win the game.

Goddard was backed by five others who joined him with four or more tackles. Eighteen players recorded at least one solo tackle.

Add to that nine tackles for loss and two sacks for a total of 34 lost yards and the defense did its part in making up for Miami's gains.

And there were plenty.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Robert Marve threw for three touchdowns and 135 yards" and halfback Graig Cooper got his second consecutive 100-yard rush game.

""We knew that Graig Cooper was a talented kid. We've watched him just light everybody else up" and he concerned us" Davis said.

But 51 of his 110 yards came on two plays in Miami's opening drive. After giving up 14 points in the first quarter, the UNC defense stepped up — and, as Goddard put it, just kept fighting.""

""They jumped out on us at that first drive" and we just had to be more physical than they were and out-hit them he said. My teammates and I" we all gathered to just play as a whole unit.""

By the end of the game" Cooper's yards were coming as he struggled to the sidelines" not down the field.

""That was the whole topic of the week — get them going east-west instead of north-south" Mullins said. Any fast running back" you want them going east-west so we can pursue to the ball.""

And pursue Goddard did. Grabbing his seventh and eight career interceptions at Miami"" he also showed just what he's capable of.

""Trimane's got really good football instincts" Davis said. He has a knack for reading the quarterback's eyes and being in the right place" and today he just made an outstanding play.""



Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.