ATLANTA — In North Carolina’s 30-24 loss to Louisiana State, an unlikely side effect emerged from the 13 suspensions that left the Tar Heels shorthanded all over the field.
UNC’s dramatic comeback fell short in large part because the woefully undermanned special teams units could not contain LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson’s long returns.
“Sure, absolutely,” UNC head coach Butch Davis said when asked if the suspensions wreaked havoc on the special teams combos. “All the guys who were starting on defense originally used to be on our special teams.”
It seemed as if every return had a chance to go the distance — kicker Casey Barth registered three tackles as the last line of defense.
One punt return ended in the end zone, as Peterson ran laterally across the field, then suddenly turned upfield and outraced the rest of the Tar Heel special teams unit for a score.
UNC punter Grant Schallock routinely outkicked the coverage, as Peterson had ample time to pick the right hole to gain massive yardage after dispatching of UNC’s gunners.
“The gunners are always the most dangerous guys out there,” Peterson said. “You have to get past them first. The cornerback was taking away the inside, the interior guys gave me a little bit of time, and I made something happen. I have to tip my hat to them. Without them, none of that would be possible.”
At the end of the first half, Peterson had outpaced both starting offenses, accounting for 244 return yards by himself. UNC had 155 yards to LSU’s 195 in total offense.
“We expected him to be that kind of return guy, and he is,” LSU coach Les Miles said. “I suspect that it will be a different punting style that we will see from this point forward.”
