LSU-North Carolina Preview
By MATT BEARDMORE
STATS Writer
Heading into Saturday night's season opener at the Georgia Dome, North Carolina is admittedly distracted by two ongoing
investigations. LSU has its concerns, though they are of the on-the-field variety. Amid a cloud of controversy that has carried
over from the offseason, the No. 18 Tar Heels will try to focus on the 22nd-ranked Tigers, who are looking to improve after two
straight seasons below their standards. Defensive tackle Marvin Austin, linebackers Quan Sturdivant and Bruce Carter, defensive
back Kendric Burney and safety Deunta Williams decided to pass up the NFL and return for their senior seasons. That gave the Tar
Heels (8-5) nine returning starters from a defense that ranked sixth in the Football Bowl Subdivision with 269.6 yards per game
last season. Now, it's uncertain if Austin and others will play this season. The NCAA notified North Carolina in June that Austin
and senior wide receiver Greg Little, who led the Tar Heels with 62 receptions, 724 yards and five TDs last season, were being
investigated for receiving improper benefits from agents. An unknown number of players were interviewed for the probe in July,
and the program is also being looked at for possible academic misconduct involving players and a woman who worked as a tutor for
coach Butch Davis' teenage son. "It is kind of a distraction,'' said senior quarterback T.J. Yates, a three-year starter. "But we
kind of look at it as we've already taken our adversity for the season. So once we get over this little speed bump, we'll be able
to put it behind us and go forward through the season.'' While it is uncertain how many players could be involved with the
academic scandal, North Carolina athletic director Dick Baddour said the university would stay in contact with the NCAA
throughout the week. Decisions about player eligibility, which would include chancellor Holden Thorp's input, could be made up
until Saturday night's kickoff. "If they're losing their key guys, then they should have been way more aware of what they did
before they did it,'' LSU junior quarterback Jordan Jefferson said. "We're preparing for them to play, like I said, but if
(Austin) doesn't, then that's their loss." Jefferson begins his second full season as the full-time starter. He's looking for
major improvement after the Tigers finished last season 9-4 following a 19-17 loss to Penn State in the Capital One Bowl.
Jefferson threw for 2,166 yards with 17 TDs and seven interceptions, while getting sacked 32 times and leading an offense ranked
112th in the FBS with 304.5 yards per game. "He's starting to realize that it's more than a position, that it's not just: Call
the play and throw the ball,'' said coach Les Miles, who is 17-9 since leading the Tigers to the 2007 national title. "It's a
responsibility to function the offense and to give us an opportunity at victory, and to see the defense, and to understand the
call.'' Davis is also looking for improved play from his quarterback, who threw for 2,136 yards with 14 touchdowns and 15
interceptions in 2009. With Bryn Renner ready to step in, Yates could see less playing time this season if he struggles. With
Little's status in limbo, sophomore wide receivers Erik Highsmith and Jheranie Boyd could have the chance for breakout seasons,
as could senior tight end Zack Pianalto. Jefferson also has a number of talented playmakers lining up on the outside. Terrence
Toliver is back after catching 53 passes for 735 yards, as are sophomores Rueben Randle and Russell Shepard, a converted
quarterback who Miles could use under center in certain formations. The Tar Heels' running game will likely center around Ryan
Houston and Shaun Draughn, while senior Richard Murphy and junior Stevan Ridley should see plenty of carries out of the Tigers'
backfield. LSU, 7-1 at the Georgia Dome, is 5-1 versus North Carolina. The Tigers won the last matchup 30-3 at home Oct. 25,
1986.
