David Thornton Player of the Game Game Stats

Norman _  We've waited for months.  Carolina  gets the kick-off.  Curry fumbles.  Oklahoma has the ball.  But our defense rises to the occasion.  The OU field goal is good, 3 - 0. 13:31  is left in the first half.  Ouch, the quick strike hurts.

The ensuing kick-off goes out of the end zone.  The Heels and Curry come up to the line, first and 10.  Curry is throwing wild balls and misses by a mile.  I'm already calling for Durant.

Then with the punt, Carolina gets a penalty for encroaching the 2 yard safety zone for the receiver.  It's starting to look like a long night.

Inside the 10 yard line with 12:48 remaining in the first quarter, the Sooners score, 9 - 0.  The PAT is good and Oklahoma leads 10 - 0.  Damn!  What gives, Heels?

With the OU kick-off, the Rabbit (Waddell) runs it back to the Carolina 34.  But with a big hit Oklahoma recovers the fumble, and gets the ball at the 20 yard line.  Three plays later the Sooners score.  With 11:21 remaining in the first half, Carolina is down 17 - 0.  I looked over at Carolina Cathy and she said, "not too pretty!"  No shit!

OK, Carolina has the ball.  We see the long pass by Curry, then a busted play scramble.  Hey, Carolina fans, that's his only game.  Next play is a hand-off to the tailback, who is tackled 5 yards behind the line.  Third and eleven yards to go, and Curry drops back for another bomb.  He never sees the rush and is sacked.

I rest my case.  For the past two years, I have felt and written about Curry not being able to effectively perform as quarterback at this level.  Yes, he's a talented athlete.  But I haven't seen a consistent quarterback talent and mind.  And I still maintain he should have been moved to slot back in college ball.

At the 4:30 mark, Oklahoma has their first punt.  Carolina has a fair catch on their 8 yard line, only 92 yards to go.  Curry hands off to the tailback , who fumbles, and Oklahoma recovers and runs it in for 6 points.  24 - 0 with 4:17 to go in the first quarter.  Carolina Cathy looks over at me and says, "they need to get rid of Ron Curry.  He's dragging them down."

Then with 1:48 remaining Julius Peppers gets a sack.  Next play he intercepts at the 30 and runs it in for a score.  The extra point is good, Oklahoma 24 - Peppers 7.  Carolina for a brief moment has a good feeling.

But with the ensuing kick-off, Oklahoma runs it back 88 yards for a score.  Damn!  With 1:32 left in the first quarter, it seems like there's enough time for them to score again.  When will the bleeding end.  Turnovers ate us alive!

Early in the 2nd quarter with 99 yards to go, Curry hits Aiken out to the 20 yard line.  Facing 3rd down and 1, Carolina gets its' first first down.  A personal foul by Oklahoma moves it down 10 more yards.  Next play Curry is sacked.  Next play Curry is intercepted.  Oklahoma runs it in for another score and leads 38 - 7 with 9:04 left in the half.  Major freakin' bummer!

Next series Carolina fumbles and Oklahoma has the ball, 1st and goal.  The Heels hold them, but their field goal is good.  41 - 7, Oklahoma builds on their lead.  I think I'm done.

Michael Waddell

The start of the 3rd quarter is more of the same cause Curry is still playing.  Then amazingly we see Darian Durant come into the game.  Wow, there is a god.  No, Carolina fans, it's more like we have a coach - John "the Beast" Bunting!  And he has assembled a great coaching staff.  The last 3 years Torbush was afraid to take Curry out of the game.  Now we're seeing some coaching, and I love it!

My only question is will Ron Curry finally be moved to slot back, where he should have been his entire college career.  With his athleticism, he would be most effect there - miss-direct, take the pitch out or flare pass.  Then he could pass, or juke and run.  Or maybe he cuts across the middle causing concern for the linebackers and back field.  Durant is a quarterback, and should be our starting quarterback.  Let's face it it. It'll take Bunting 2 to 3 years to rebuild with recruiting what Torbush tore down.  Why not start the process with Durant?

Fourth quarter and Thornton has around 11 tackles.  He's around the ball almost every play.  Talk about heart!  He's been disrupting their plays and killing their drives.  He's my Player of the Game.

With 7:52 left in the game, it's 4th and 10.  Bunting calls the play and goes for it.  Durant completes the the pass.  Damn, it's first and goal.  Then Durant hits Russell in the back of the end zone, a pass Curry can't complete.  The point after is wide, but Carolina catches up, 41 - 27.  The game has been over.  But now we're seeing Carolina Pride - in coaching and play.

With 1:08 left in the game Carolina Cathy said, "I wish Durant had started. Curry is bad".  That's my final thoughts for this game.  Except I'm giving Durant a nickname - Slinger!

Way to go Beast!  You coached one hell of a game.  The Heels met your half time challenge and rose to the occasion.  Our players came out at the beginning like "deer in the head lights", but settled down and followed your lead - winning the second half.  I saw a well conditioned team battling until the last minute.  I'm proud.  The OU coach said the Sooners played average in the second half.  I say the Heels were becoming men.

A hat tip to our new quarterback - Durant, the Slinger.  But my MVP is David Thornton.  He played with heart from start to finish.

Go Heels!