Going to pizza and a movie with Quan

Sophomore linebacker Quan Sturdivant is starting to come into his own on the football field notching double digit tackle totals in three of the last four games as well as reeling in a key game-changing interception that was returned for a touchdown against Notre Dame. He is second on the Tar Heels tackles for the season — his 69 puts him one behind fellow line-backer Mark Paschal. But when SportSaturday Assistant Editor Louie Horvath met up with Sturdivant this week it wasn't to discuss tackling. Instead date locations Young Jeezy and Pizza Hut dominated their exchange.

Dwyer powers run-heavy Tech offense

When Paul Johnson first arrived at Georgia Tech critics claimed that the former Navy coach's flexbone offense would struggle adapting to a BCS conference's speed. Some even went as far to say it would never succeed.

Tar Heels on the mend for open week

Butch Davis added another name to the North Carolina football team's ever-growing injury list this week — his own. ""Well" the head coach is on injury reserve this week. I've got clicker thumb Davis said by means of introduction.

Sports briefs for November 3

UNC women's hoops tapped as No. 6 in preseason AP Poll - The North Carolina women's basketball team is ranked No. 6 in the preseason national poll released this weekend. Connecticut claimed the top spot for the first time in five seasons and defending champion Tennessee is seventh.

Nicks' career day guides UNC

As Cameron Sexton prepared to leave the press room after Saturday's Boston College game he doubled back to greet and congratulate Hakeem Nicks. Sexton grabbed his leading receiver into a hug grinning" and looked at him. ""My boy."" Saturday" Nicks sure was.

Heels pick apart BC

""That's enough."" After watching Boston College run into the end zone with the ball he had just fumbled"" UNC quarterback Cameron Sexton decided he was fed up.

Bowls' exposure priceless

The win against Boston College meant more than a .500 ACC record and a way back into the AP Poll for North Carolina. The Tar Heels' sixth win also means UNC should head to a bowl this year for only the second time this decade. Not only do bowl participants get invaluable publicity and airtime but the ACC also provides each school in a bowl with expenses up to $1.6 million for the BCS game.

Turnover battle to be key in ACC matchup

Game and Time: Boston College at North Carolina. Kickoff is at noon Saturday. - Site: Kenan Stadium. - TV/Radio: TV coverage will be on Raycom. Radio coverage will be provided by WCHL 1360 AM WRDU 106.1 FM.

Herzlich to counter UNC run game

On Virginia Tech's first play from scrimmage in last week's game against Boston College the ball was snapped and handed off to running back Darren Evans. And that was about all the Hokies had time to do before Evans was swallowed up and dropped in the backfield by BC linebacker Mark Herzlich.

Houston vs. Ely: Round 2

Flashback to fall 2004. Now-sophomore running back Ryan Houston was an up-and-coming star for Charlotte-area Butler High School. Senior football writer David Ely played linebacker for rival Providence High. One brisk autumn night the two met on the football field.

SportSaturday for October 25

Porous prevent D breaks against Virginia

There isn't much that can stir up more groans and grumblings from fans than the switch to the prevent defense by their favorite team in the closing minutes of a close football game. A team's once-stout defense can appear to transform into a completion-allowing machine and most people wonder why the opposing offense can pile up so much yardage so effortlessly with the game hanging in the balance.

DTH Picks of the Week for October 25

The DTH Picks of the Week is back for another week of competition. Each week the SportSaturday staff football beat writers Sports editor and a celebrity will pick the winners of college football's most enticing action. In the spirit of competition we also keep track of our correct and incorrect picks to see who is the most accurate college football predicter.

UNC must exploit QB inconsistency

More than most teams Boston College comes and goes with its quarterback. The consistency of junior signalcaller Chris Crane — or lack thereof — could very well be the story of Saturday's matchup.

UNC trying for top spot in tumultuous ACC

It wasn't a great weekend for the North Carolina football team. The Tar Heels lost a conference game.They dropped out of the AP Top 25 and fell in the ACC Coastal standings. Only thing is — so did Virginia Tech and Wake Forest.

Tar Heels struggle to _¶ nish in UVa. territory

CHARLOTTESVILLE Va. — It looked easy. Shaun Draughn for seven yards eight yards 18 yards. Line 'em up. Knock 'em down. Ten plays. Eighty-three yards (48 from Draughn). Touchdown Tar Heels. North Carolina 7 Virginia 0.

Fumbled Away

CHARLOTTESVILLE Va. — Just inches away. With Virginia down one point and needing an extra point to complete an astonishing late-game comeback against No. 18 North Carolina Deunta Williams gave a superhuman leap and got one hand on the ball.

All eyes on Hakeem

Hakeem Nicks barely makes it out of the locker room Tuesday before a camera's in his face and he's being directed for a photo shoot. Nicks takes it all in stride — the light the flashes from the camera; he even manages to ask when and where the shots are running without breaking the photographer's rhythm. It's obvious the junior wideout welcomes the spotlight — which is good because it's going to be focused intensely on him for the rest of the season.

Injury ends Tate's UNC career

Brandon Tate thought his knee might have been bruised. After taking a hit to his knee in the first quarter of Saturday's Notre Dame game" Tate went down hard and limped off the field. ""I thought it was just a bruise or something"" he said at a press conference Monday.

North Carolina defense steps up big - again

Jimmy Clausen had no chance. On first and 10 from the North Carolina 46 Notre Dame's quarterback couldn't even look downfield before defensive tackle Aleric Mullins was in his face. Clausen cocked his arm to fire but Mullins bulled his way to the ball. Two seconds later the ball was underneath big No. 97 for a turnover.