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11:09 to go, fourth quarter

A finicky blog platform has kept me from posting for the last 30 minutes, during which a whole lotta stuff has happened. First, Kyle Wright throws a 97-yard TD pass to Darnell Jenkinsk, the longest pass player ever in Kenan Stadium to make it 27-20. But just when you thought the Hurricanes were on their way to a historic comeback, Wright regained his original identity, taking a silly sack and throwing an even sillier INT.

30-20 UNC, with the Heels on the move.

8:06 to third quarter

Well, things sure did change in a hurry. After forcing an Anthony Elzy fumble, Miami goes for it on fourth and three from the four and converts. Kyle Wright's suddenly figured out how to make his passes go toward his own teammates and the 'Canes are actually able to exploit the UNC secondary.

27-13 UNC and the air is rapidly escaping from this stadium.

12:38 to go third quarter

If you're a Miami fan, you've got to be asking "Where the @#@! was this in the first half?" First drive of the second half, 7 plays, 62 yards, TD in 2:28. It looked really, really easy. Which is really, really different from what it looked like in the first half.

We'll chalk it up to great halftime adjustments by the Miami coaches. Or maybe the Canes slept through the first half. 27-7.
Halftime

This may be one of the toughest game stories I ever write. Why? Because I'm speechless. And if I have nothing to say, how can I have anything to type.

27-0 UNC.

Wow.

Don't worry, I'll pull something together. But ... wow.

9:59 to go, 2nd Quarter

Well, one of my posts was lost in cyberspace. That was after UNC's blocked punt and subsequent 11-yard drive that made it 20-0.

Now, Burlington Cummings' own Brandon Tate just strolled 54 yards with a reverse for a touchdown. It's now 27-0 UNC. That's not a typo, people. And really, it's been that easy.

I'm having a hard time figuring out how Miami came into this game 4-1 and UNC came in 1-4.

End of 1st Quarter

If you had UNC and gave 12 points, you're in good shape. 13-0 UNC after a 51-yard field goal for Barth. That's 17 in a row now for Barth who now moves ahead of Ohio's Michael Braunstein (16 in a row) for the longest current streak of FGs made in the nation. Many years from now we will still be talking about the famed field goal duel of Barth and Braunstein.

But I digress. Folks, UNC's not doing it with mirrors right now. The Heels are just dominating. It's 133 total yards for UNC to 39 for "The U." Miami has a whopping -6 yards rushing on 6 carries. Anthony Elzy has 81 yards on 11 carries, which is already a single-game high for UNC.

But remember, Miami is still "The U"

4:23 to go, first quarter

Thanks in large part to a roughing the passer call that appeared to fall in the "Phantom" category, UNC tacks on 3 more points in a Connor Barth 33-yard field goal. That brings Barth's streak to 16 straight FGs, setting a new school record. Barth got a few hugs from his teammates, but sadly, they did not stop the game for a ceremony.

10-0 UNC.

10:33 to go, first quarter

Well this is going exactly as expected. Joe Dailey made a big grab on third down to keep UNC's drive alive and Anthony Elzy rumbled 39 yards up the middle for the touchdown.

7-0 UNC and the first "We should have rehired Butch" comment has been made by the Miami cheering section, which is roughly 700 strong.

8 minutes to game:

Where Herald-Sun UNC beat writer Nolan Hayes and I are in agreement that there was no need to fire off fireworks during the national anthem. Granted, it was timed with the "rockets red glare" part of the song, but c'mon people - just let the song stand on its own. It is, you know, the national anthem and all.