PLAYERS TO WATCH
–RB Trevor Homer recorded his first 100-yard rushing game of the season with 114 yards on just 13 carries in the win over Florida International. Last year’s leading rusher with 966 yards, the junior has rushed for 276 in four games this season, averaging 5.6 per carry with one touchdown.
–WR Jeff Thomas has emerged as a big-play threat as a pass catcher and a returner. Despite leaving last week’s game early in the first quarter, he has 12 catches for 315 yards (a 26.2 average) and two touchdowns and has amassed 126 yards on just three punt returns despite having an 80-yarder wiped out by penalty last week. He also has averaged 25.8 yards on six kickoff returns.
–DT Gerald Willis III will have a key role in slowing North Carolina’s rushing game. He has averaged a national-best 2.5 tackles for loss through four games with more than half (10) his total of 19 tackles resulting in negative yardage.
–S Amari Carter has been called on to fill the vacancy created by the injury to starter Jaquan Johnson. A sophomore, he had one tackle and broke up a pass against FIU, giving him seven tackles (one sack) for the season.
SERIES HISTORY: Miami and North Carolina are tied 10-10 in their annual series. Miami won last year’s meeting, 24-19.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “They’ve got what we want. They’ve got their first conference victory.” — Coach Mark Richt, referring to North Carolina’s win over ACC Coastal Division colleague Pittsburgh last week.
