This is today’s Art Chansky’s Sports Notebook as heard on 97.9 WCHL. You can listen to previous Sports Notebooks here.
The SEC has three football media days and the ACC has . . . hmmm.
I guess college football season is under way when the throng of SEC media heads to Hoover, Alabama, for three days of interviews with the coaches and players from the 14 programs, four exclusive hours apiece. Seriously, three days in Hoover, Alabama? It’s a good time to rob the confederacy.
Hundreds of media members flock to Hoover, and getting press passes for the confab is apparently harder than getting them for the SEC BASKETBALL tournament. Here is how the SEC kicks off the football season in Hoover.
Day one begins with the commissioner’s state of the state. And this year, new commissioner Greg Sankey quoted from Bob Dylan, starting off with the obvious things are a-changing. Then come the dedicated four hours with the teams, coaches and three players each coach brings along. This goes on for three full days in Hoover so the SEC can boast it has the first, the longest and the best preseason media coverage. As if we didn’t know that already.
I went to theACC.com, perhaps the slowest website in all of sports, and the only thing I could find was ACC Kickoff, July 19-21, in Pinehurst. But on the schedule, it has nothing scheduled for July 19, at least on its website. Maybe that is a day on Pinehurst No. 2, because that would be the way to start in my book. Somehow, the ACC gets its 14 coaches and players in front of the media in only two days.
After all, what does the ACC have to talk about that could last three days? Besides who has been suspended or kicked off at Florida State in the off-season, does anyone want to spend even one hour listening to Dabo Swinney, David Cutcliffe and Dave Doren? I guess I could take Larry Fedora for that long, but Mr. Fidgety can’t even stand still for six minutes, let alone 60.
Meanwhile, who can even name the coaches for Miami, Wake Forest, Virginia, Pitt, Boston College and Syracuse? I hope they hand out name tags. For the record, and I had to look it up, they are Al Golden, Dave Clawson, Mike London, Pat Narduzzi, Steve Addazio and Scott Shafer. Then you have Paul Johnson at Georgia Tech, Frank Beamer at Virginia Tech and Bobby Petrino at Louisville, all Mr. Personality. Not a Steve Spurrier or Nick Saban in the bunch, off the field or on.
Guess that’s why the SEC has three media days and the ACC has two, or is it three?
http://chapelboro.com/sports/chanskys-notebook-three-days-in-hooverThe North Carolina football team will be playing under the lights in Kenan Stadium for the first two home football games of the 2014 season.
The ACC released the kickoff times and television networks for the early season games and notable contests.
Carolina’s season opener against Liberty on Saturday, Aug. 30, will feature a 6 p.m. kickoff and will be broadcast online on ESPN3.
The following week, the Tar Heels will welcome San Diego State to Chapel Hill for a Sept. 6 game to begin at 8 p.m. That primetime meeting will be televised nationally on ESPNews.
“Opening the 2014 season with a pair of night games will enhance the gameday atmosphere in the Tar Pitt,” says head coach Larry Fedora. “Last year, the atmosphere in the stadium on Thursday night against Miami was as good as any in the country and we’re excited to be playing more games in the evening.”
The game against the Aztecs marks the first Saturday night game for the Tar Heels against an FBS opponent at Kenan Stadium since 2008, when Connecticut visited Carolina.
Carolina’s highly anticipated Thursday night showdown Nov. 20 at rival Duke will kick off at 7:30 p.m. and will be televised nationally on ESPN.
http://chapelboro.com/sports/unc-sports/noon-games-carolina-football-opens-2014-two-straight-night-gamesThe Dr Pepper ACC Football Championship Game will be staying in Charlotte for the near future.
The Atlantic Coast Conference and the Charlotte Sports Foundation announced an agreement Monday to keep the ACC’s title game in Charlotte for another six years, until 2019.
ACC Commissioner John Swofford says Charlotte has been an outstanding host of the ACC Championship and that the “annual weekend is a true celebration of ACC Football.”
The game has been held at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium, the home of the Carolina Panthers, for the past four years. The games included sellout crowds in both 2010 and 2011, including an ACC Football Championship record crowd of 73, 675 in 2011.
Johnny Harris, Chairman of the Charlotte Sports Foundation, says he’s proud of the extension and says the Board is “committed to working together to ensure Bank of America Stadium is its home for a very long time.”
Last December, Charlotte was host to the Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston and his national championship-winning Florida State Seminoles as they beat the Duke Blue Devils and National Coach of the Year David Cutcliffe.
http://chapelboro.com/sports/acc/acc-football-championship-call-charlotte-home-2019
CHAPEL HILL– A pair of Tar Heel football players was named to the USA Today Sports All-American team Wednesday.
Junior tight end Eric Ebron and freshman return specialist Ryan Switzer get the honor of representing Carolina along with other elite athletes across the nation.
Ebron had 895 receiving yards and three touchdowns this season while Switzer exhilarated Carolina fans everywhere with his punt returns.
Both Tar Heels were named Second-team All-Americans. The ACC was well represented on the list with 13 selections. That number was more than any other conference.
Conference member Florida State featured five selections including Heisman front runner Jameis Winston.
Carolina’s Ebron will be leaving school for the NFL, but Switzer will be back on the field next season.
http://chapelboro.com/sports/unc-sports/go-heels-go-america-ebron-switzer-named-americans
WINSTON-SALEM– Wake Forest Football Head Coach Jim Grobe has stepped down after 13 seasons. Grobe announced his decision at a news conference Monday afternoon.
Grobe spent a combined 19 years coaching at WakeForest and Ohio. He finishes with a career record of 100-115-1 with the two programs.
Grobe was 77-82 while coaching the Demon Deacons and led the small school to legitimacy in the ACC.
“I don’t know what the future will hold for me. Once you’re a coach, you’re always a coach and you want to keep coaching,” Grobe says.
His most notable accomplishment came in 2006 when he led WakeForest to its first ACC championship since 1970 and a trip to the Orange Bowl.
Grobe got the Demon Deacons to a bowl game in three straight seasons from 2006-08. That feat had never been done before at the school.
But recently, Wake Forest has been unable to recreate past glories. Last weekend, the Demon Deacons capped off their fifth straight losing season with a 23-21 loss at Vanderbilt.
Grobe’s successor is unknown.
“I feel like Ron (Wellman, the athletics director) will hire somebody good and it will be good for our guys,” Grobe says.
http://chapelboro.com/sports/acc/wake-forest-football-coach-jim-grobe-resigns
GREENSBORO– A total of 10 Tar Heel football players have received all-conference recognition. All-ACC honors were doled out on Monday by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association.
Eric Ebron, James Hurst, Kareem Martin and Ryan Switzer were selected to the first-team All-ACC for their fine play in 2013 while senior safety Tre Boston was the lone Tar Heel who landed on the second-team all-conference list.
Quinshad Davis, Russell Bodine, Nortkeithus Otis, Jabari Price and Tommy Hibbard received honorable mention.
Boston College senior running back Andre Williams leads the nation in rushing yards with 2,102 and was the only player unanimously selected on all 65 ballots.
2013 All-ACC Football Team
First Team
Offense
QB – Jameis Winston, Florida State, 6-4, 225, Fr.-R, Bessemer, Ala. (191)
RB – Andre Williams, Boston College, 6-0, 220, Sr., Schnecksville, Pa. (195)
RB – Devonta Freeman, Florida State, 5-9, 203, Jr., Miami, Fla. (126)
WR – Sammy Watkins, Clemson, 6-1, 205, Jr., Fort Myers, Fla. (191)
WR – Jamison Crowder, Duke, 5-9, 175, Jr., Monroe, N.C. (172)
WR – Rashad Greene, Florida State, 6-0, 180, Jr., Albany, Ga. (126)
TE – Eric Ebron, North Carolina, 6-4, 245, Jr., Greensboro, N.C. (178)
T- Cameron Erving, Florida State, 6-6, 320, Jr.-R, Moultrie, Ga. (148)
T- James Hurst, North Carolina, 6-7, 305, Sr., Plainfield, Ind. (118)
G- Tre’ Jackson, Florida State, 6-4, 330, Jr., Jesup, Ga., (160)
G-Shaq Mason, Georgia Tech. 6-1. 305, Jr., Columbia, Tenn. (96)
C- Bryan Stork, Florida State, 6-4, 298, Sr.-R, Vero Beach, Fla. (181)
Defense
DE – Vic Beasley, Clemson, 6-3, 225, Jr-R.., Adairsville, Ga. (161)
DE – Kareem Martin, North Carolina, 6-6, 265, Sr., Roanoke Rapids, N.C. (159)
DT – Aaron Donald, Pitt, 6-0, 275, Sr., Pittsburgh, Pa. (171)
DT – Nikita Whitlock, Wake Forest, 5-11, 250, Sr.-R, Wylie, Texas (156)
LB – Kelby Brown, Duke, 6-2, 220, Jr.-R, Matthews, N.C. (146)
LB – Denzel Perryman, Miami, 6-0, 236, Jr., Coral Gables, Fla. (124)
LB – Kevin Pierre-Louis, Boston College, 6-1, 215, Sr., Norwalk, Conn. (123)
CB – Lamarcus Joyner, Florida State, 5-8, 190, Sr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (172)
CB – Ross Cockrell, Duke, 6-0, 180, Sr.-R, Waxhaw, N.C. (145)
S – Anthony Harris, Virginia, 6-1, 185, Jr., Chesterfield, Va. (142)
S – Jeremy Cash, Duke, 6-2, 210, So.-R, Plantation, Fla. (129)
Special Teams
PK – Nate Freese, Boston College, 6-0, 185, Sr., Strongsville, Ohio (124)
P – Pat O’Donnell, Miami, 6-5, 222, Gr., Lake Worth, Fla. (135)
SP – Ryan Switzer, North Carolina, 5-10, 175, Fr., Charleston, W.Va. (155)
Second Team
Offense
QB – Tajh Boyd, Clemson, 6-1, 225, Sr.-R, Hampton, Va. (132)
RB – Kevin Parks, Virginia, 5-8, 205, Jr.-R, Salisbury, N.C. (117)
RB – Duke Johnson, Miami, 5-9, 194, So., Miami, Fla. (104)
WR – Michael Campanaro, Wake Forest, 5-11, 190, Sr.-R, Clarksville, Md. (102)
WR – Allen Hurns, Miami, 6-3, 195, Sr., Miami, Fla. (102)
WR – Tyler Boyd, Pitt, 6-2, 185, Fr., Alexandria, Va. (100)
TE – Nick O’Leary, Florida State, 6-3, 246, Jr., Palm Beach, Fla. (126)
T- Brandon Thomas, Clemson, 6-3, 305, Gr.-R, Spartanburg, S.C. (104)
T- Matt Patchan, Boston College, 6-6, 304, Sr., Tampa, Fla. (92)
G- Laken Tomlinson, Duke, 6-3, 320, Jr.-R, Chicago, Ill. (90)
G- Brandon Linder, Miami, 6-6, 317, Sr., Southwest Ranches, Fla. (80)
C- Macky MacPherson, Syracuse, 6-2, 280, Sr., Syracuse, N.Y. (61)
Defense
DE – Jeremiah Attaochu, Georgia Tech, 6-3, 242, Sr., Washington, D.C. (121)
DE – Kenny Anunike, Duke, 6-5, 260, Sr.-R, Galena, Ohio (98)
DT – Timmy Jernigan, Florida State, 6-2, 294, Jr., Lake City, Fla. (124)
DT – Derrick Hopkins, Virginia Tech, 6-0, 306, Sr., Highland Springs, Va. (73)
LB – Telvin Smith, Florida State, 6-3, 218, Sr., Valdosta, Ga. (105)
LB – Jack Tyler, Virginia Tech, 6-1, 236, Sr.-R, Oakton, Va. (93)
LB – Christian Jones, Florida State, 6-4, 232, Sr., Winter Park, Fla. (83)
CB – Kendall Fuller, Virginia Tech, 5-11, 180, Fr., Baltimore, Md. (91)
CB – Bashaud Breeland, Clemson, 6-0, 195, Jr.-R, Allendale, S.C. (69)
S – Terrence Brooks, Florida State, 5-11, 200, Sr., Dunnellon, Fla. (97)
S – Tre Boston, North Carolina, 6-1, 205, Sr., Fort Myers, Fla. (86)
Special Teams
PK – Roberto Aguayo, Florida State, 6-1, 208, Fr.-R, Mascotte, Fla. (123)
P – A.J. Hughes, Virginia Tech, 6-1, 190, So., Terre Haute, Ind. (79)
SP – Jamison Crowder, Duke, 5-9, 175, Jr., Monroe, N.C. (80)
Third Team
Offense
QB – Stephen Morris, Miami, 6-2, 214, Sr., Miami, Fla. (24)
RB – Roderick McDowell, Clemson, 5-9, 195, Gr.-R, Sumter, S.C. (85)
RB -Jerome Smith, Syracuse, 6-0, 217, Sr., Bear, Del. (53)
WR – Devin Street, Pitt, 6-4, 190, Sr.-R, Bethlehem, Pa. (80)
WR – Alex Amidon, Boston College, 5-11, 186, Sr., Greenfield, Mass. (70)
WR – Kelvin Benjamin, Florida State, 6-5, 238. So.-R, Belle Glade, Fla. (68)
TE – Braxton Deaver, Duke, 6-5, 240, Jr.-R, Charlotte, N.C. (51)
T- Perry Simmons, Duke, 6-5, 300, Sr.-R, Raleigh, N.C. (80)
T- Morgan Moses, Virginia, 6-6, 325, Sr., Richmond, Va. (76)
G – Tyler Shatley, Clemson, 6-3, 295, Sr.-R, Icard, S.C. (65)
G- Josue Matias, Florida State, 6-6, 322, Jr. , Union City, N.J. (57)
C- Andy Gallik, Boston College, 6-3, 300, Jr.-R, Evergreen Park, Ill. (52)
Defense
DE – Kasim Edebali, Boston College, 6-2, 258, Sr.-R, Hamburg, Germany (65)
DE – Mario Edwards Jr., Florida State, 6-3, 285, So., Gautier, Miss. (56)
DT – Jay Bromley, Syracuse, 6-4, 293, Sr., Jamaica, N.Y. (68)
DT – Luther Maddy, Virginia Tech, 6-1, 288, Jr., Delray Beach, Fla. (56)
LB – Steele Divittto, Boston College, 6-3, 238, Sr., Ridgefield, Conn. (78)
LB – Stephone Anthony, Clemson, 6-3, 235, Jr., Polkton, N.C. (73)
LB – Spencer Shuey, Clemson, 6-3, 230, Gr.-R, Charlotte, N.C. (57)
CB – Kyle Fuller, Virginia Tech, 6-0, 193, Sr., Baltimore, Md. (58)
CB – Brandon Facyson, Virginia Tech, 6-2, 173, Fr., Newnan, Ga. (53)
S – Durell Eskridge, Syracuse, 6-3, 202, So., Miami, Fla. (53)
S – Nate Andrews, Florida State, 6-0, 208, Fr., Fairhope, Ala. (44)
Special Teams
PK- Chandler Cantnazaro, Clemson 6-2, 195, Gr.-R, Greenville, S.C. (69)
P – Will Monday, Duke, 6-4, 210, So.-R, Flowery Branch, Ga. (73)
SP – DeVon Edwards, Duke, 5-9, 185, Fr.-R, Covington, Ga. (57)
Honorable Mention
(20 or more points)
RB
Robert Godhigh, RB, Georgia Tech (39)
David Sims, RB, Georgia Tech (29)
James Wilder, Jr., RB, Florida State (23)
WR
Kenny Shaw, WR, Florida State (46)
Martavis Bryant, WR, Clemson (34)
Quinshad Davis, WR, North Carolina (33)
Stefon Diggs, WR, Maryland (21)
OT
Seantrel Henderson, OT, Miami (34)
Bobby Hart, OT, Florida State (30)
Sean Hickey, OT, Syracuse (29)
Ian White, OT, Boston College (27)
OG
Andrew Miller, OG, Virginia Tech, (53)
Will Jackson, OG, Georgia Tech, (35)
Matt Rotheram, OG, Pitt (22)
Jon Feliciano, OG, Miami (20)
C
Russell Bodine, C, North Carolina (28)
David Wang, C, Virginia Tech (21)
DE
James Gayle, DE, Virginia Tech (42)
DT
Grady Jarrett, DT, Clemson (39)
Brent Urban, DT, Virginia (21)
LB
Robert Caldwell, LB, NC State (51)
Marcus Whitfield, LB, Maryland (45)
Marquis Spruill, LB, Syracuse (31)
Terrance Smith, LB, Florida State (26)
Norkeithus Otis, LB, North Carolina (22)
Cole Farrand, LB, Maryland (22)
CB
Tracy Howard, CB, Miami (30)
P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State (25)
Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest (22)
Jabari Price, CB, North Carolina (20)
S
Ray Vinopal, S, Pitt (30)
Jason Hendricks, S, Pitt (29)
Ryan Janvion, S, Wake Forest (28)
Kyshoen Jarrett, S, Virginia Tech (23)
Deon Bush, S, Miami (20)
PK
Niklas Sade, PK, NC State (37)
Ross Martin, PK, Duke (26)
P
Tommy Hibbard, P, North Carolina (26)
SP
Stacy Coley, SP, Miami (22)
http://chapelboro.com/sports/unc-sports/ten-tar-heels-named-acc-football
GREENSBORO– The ACC football schedule is packed full of action on Saturday, Nov. 23.
The ACC released the game times and networks for the match-ups on Monday. And of course, Carolina is slated for an early start. This time, the Tar Heels will host Old Dominion at high noon. It marks the eighth time out of eleven contests that UNC has kicked things off in the early slot.
The game will be broadcast on ACC Regional Sports Networks and WCHL’s pregame coverage will begin bright and early at 9 a.m.
Other notable game times announced include Miami hosting Virginia at noon on one of the ESPN networks to be announced at a later date. East Carolina will visit Carter-Finley Stadium to take on the Wolfpack of N.C. State in a 12:30 kick on ACC Network.
http://chapelboro.com/sports/acc/noon-start-for-odu-unc-makes-tar-heels-811-on-early-kicks
GREENSBORO– It will be another 12:30 kickoff for the Tar Heel football team in its road trek up to Pittsburgh to take on the 4-4 Panthers.
The ACC scheduling gods seem to have made their minds up on the start times for Carolina each week. The Nov. 16 Coastal division contest will mark UNC’s seventh noon or 12:30 game of the season.
The ACC Network will broadcast the game and WCHL’s game day coverage will be gin bright and early at 9 a.m.
The Nov. 14 Thursday night ESPN showdown in Death Valley between Clemson and Georgia Tech kicks off at 7:30 p.m.
Other Saturday conference action Nov. 16 includes Maryland at Virginia Tech at 12:30 p.m. on ACC Network and Miami traveling to Durham to face Duke at 3:30 p.m. on either ABC or ESPN2.
http://chapelboro.com/sports/unc-sports/acc-kicks-lucky-seven-for-carolina-pitt-showdown-in-death-valleyGREENSBORO– It will be another 12:30 p.m. kickoff time for the Tar Heels. This time, it will be for Homecoming against the Virginia Cavaliers on Nov. 9.
The South’s Oldest Rivalry will be renewed in Chapel Hill and Carolina is on a 3-game win streak against the Cavaliers.
The game will be televised by the ACC Network. WCHL will start its game day coverage bright and early at 9 a.m. with Countdown to Kickoff.
Other announced Nov. 9 game times include a 3:30 start for Syracuse at Maryland and a 4 p.m. kick for N.C. State at Duke on ESPNU.
In other ACC news, UNC defensive end Kareem Martin was named ACC defensive lineman of the week for his effort against Boston College. Martin totaled five tackles and two sacks in the 34-10 victory for the Tar Heels.
Martin spearheaded a UNC defense that only allowed 261 total yards in the contest and held the Eagles to 59 yards through the air.
http://chapelboro.com/sports/unc-sports/unc-in-acc-kareem-martin-named-player-of-week-1230-homecoming-kickoffGREENSBORO– Rivalry week for ACC football is coming up. The ACC released the schedule for the conference’s slate of games Nov. 2 and it features some intriguing match-ups.
The Tar Heels will be making the short trip down I-40 to take on the N.C. State Wolfpack. And the rivalry contest in Raleigh is set to kick off at 12:30 p.m. And WCHL will have all your game day pregame needs covered starting at 9 a.m.
The UNC-N.C.State game will be televised by ACC Network.
Other notable ACC action includes a 3:30 p.m. kick in Charlottesville, VA for the Clemson Tigers at Virginia Cavaliers and an 8 p.m. primetime ACC showdown in Tallahassee between the Miami Hurricanes and the Florida State Seminoles, both undefeated on the season. That game can be viewed on ABC.
Specific networks for all the ACC games will be announced by Oct. 27.
http://chapelboro.com/sports/acc/rivalry-week-in-acc-features-unc-ncsu-miami-fsu
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