Post by DiamondThief on Dec 28, 2016 19:22:42 GMT -8
Welcome to SCtoC's presentation of the Hyundai Sun Bowl.
The game features Bryce Love, Trenton Irwin and the Stanford Cardinal (9-3 overall) taking on Mitch Trubisky, Ryan Switzer and the North Carolina Tar Heals (8-4 overall).
This game draws to a close our fourth season of covering college football teams in the regional Northwest, including Northern California. A full slate of the FBS final rankings and schedules may be found here.
STANFORD CARDINAL vs.
NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS
Date: Friday, December 30, 2016.
Time: 11 a.m. (PST).
Place: Sun Bowl; El Paso, Texas.
Television: CBS.
Radio: Stanford Cardinal. North Carolina Tar Heels.
Head Coaches: Stanford - David Shaw (6th year, 63-17). Larry Fedora (5th year, 40-24).
Fun Fact: This is the second-oldest college football bowl game and the 49th straight year the game is being broadcast on CBS.
Stanford Cardinal
The Cardinal is 9-3 and finished 6-3 (third) in the North Division of the Pac-12 Conference. They are coming off a 41-17 home win over Rice on Nov. 26.
Passing Leaders: Ryan Burns 96/155, 1,065 yards, 5 TDs, 7 interceptions; *Keller Chryst 74/130, 837 yards, 9 TDs, 2 interceptions.
Rushing Leaders: Christian McCaffrey 253 rush, 1,603 yards, 13 TDs; *Bryce Love 90 rush, 664 yards, 3 TDs; Keller Chryst 39 rush, 145 yards, 2 TDs; Cameron Scarlett 29 rush, 108 yards, 1 TD.
Receiving Leaders: Trenton Irwin 36 rec, 437 yards, 1 TD; Michael Rector 31 rec, 355 yards, 3 TDs; JJ Arcega-Whiteside 21 rec, 351 yards 5 TD; Christian McCaffrey 37 rec, 310 yards, 3 TDs; Dalton Schultz 21 rec, 203 yards, 1 TD.
Kicking Leader: Conrad Ukropina 33/33 PAT, 18/22 FG (long 52 yards).
North Carolina Tar Heels
The Tar Heels are 8-4 overall and finished 5-3 (second) in the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. They are coming off a 28-21 home loss to North Carolina St. on Nov. 25.
Passing Leader: Mitch Trubisky 281/408 yards, 3,468 yards, 28 TDs, 4 interceptions.
Rushing Leaders: Elijah Hood 145 rush, 858, 8 TDs; *T.J. Logan 101 yards, 578 yards, 7 TDs; Mitch Trubisky 79 rush, 270 yards, 5 TDs; Khris Francis 15 rush, 49 yards.
Receiving Leaders: Ryan Switzer 91 rec, 1,027 yards, 5 TDs; Bug Howard 48 rec, 768 yards, 7 TDs; Austin Proehl 36 rec, 506 yards, 3 TDs; Mack Hollins 16 rec, 309 yards, 4 TDs; T.J. Logan 27 rec, 241 yards, 3 TDs.
Kicking leader: Nick Weller 49/50 PAT, 14/19 FG (Long 54 yards).
* Indicates a projected starter despite not leading in a statistical category.
Notes
Stanford
Much of the focus the last few weeks has centered on running back Christian McCaffery not playing in this game; deciding to focus on his preparations for the NFL Draft (he has forgone his senior year to do so). McCaffery got himself going down the stretch and so did the Cardinal as it overcame 4-3 start to the season to win its final five games and finish the regular season at 9-3. A win over North Carolina would give the Cardinal its fifth season of at least 10 wins in David Shaw's six years at the school. Defensively, it's not often you see a defensive linemen lead the team in tackles, but that's what Solomon Thomas has done this year. Thomas has 55 tackles on the season, including seven sacks and 13 tackles for loss. He also has seven QB hurries, as well as a 42-yard fumble return for a touchdown against UCLA to his name this season. Harrison Phillips and Joey Alfieri combined for 11.5 sacks. Defensive back Dallas Lloyd, a former quarterback, had three interceptions.
North Carolina
The Tar Heels were literally a couple of plays away from Playing in a much bigger bowl game this season. They were blown out 34-3 by Virginia Tech earlier in the season, but losses to Duke and NC State in November cost the Heels a chance at Clemson in the ACC title game. The problem for North Carolina this season has been its defense, particularly a run defense that's allowed over 235 yards per game this season. McCaffrey sitting out could be seen as an assist to the North Carolina cause in this one. Quarterback Mitch Trubisky is about as solid as it gets in college football. He has yet to announce whether he is entering the NFL Draft, but several are eying him as a potential first-round pick. Wide receiver Ryan Switzer is more than reliable, and the Tar Heels will rely on a solid group of wide receivers, including Ryan Switzer, Bug Howard and Austin Proehl. Running back Elijah Hood will not play, so T.J. Logan will get the starting nod in the backfield.
Wild Cards
In a close contest, this could come down to the kicking game. Stanford senior Conrad Ukropina is, perhaps, even more accurate and reliable than his predecessor, Jordan Williamson. North Carolina's Nick Weiler, also a senior, is equally as formidable. He has missed only one extra point and possesses a season long field goal from 54 yards out.
- Notes include information courtesy CBS Sports
Links
Stanford Official Roster
Stanford Official Football Website
Stanford Twitter
North Carolina Official Roster
North Carolina Official Football Website
North Carolina Twitter
Sun Bowl Website
Sun Bowl Twitter
How They Got Here
Stanford
Sept. 2 - vs. Kansas St. (W 26-13)
Sept. 17 - vs USC (W 27-10)
Sept. 24 - at UCLA (W 22-13)
Sept. 30 - at Washington (L 6-44)
Oct. 8 - vs. Washington St. (L 16-42)
Oct. 15 - at Notre Dame (W 17-10)
Oct. 22 - vs. Colorado (L 5-10)
Oct. 29 - at Arizona (W 34-10)
Nov. 5 - vs. Oregon St. (W 26-15)
Nov. 12 - at Oregon (W 52-27)
Nov. 19 - at California (W 45-31)
Nov. 26 - vs. Rice (W 41-17)
North Carolina
Sept. 3 - vs. Georgia (L 24-33)
Sept. 10 - at Illinois (W 48-23)
Sept. 17 - vs. James Madison (W 56-28)
Sept. 24 - vs. Pittsburgh (W 37-36)
Oct. 1 - at Florida St. (W 37-35)
Oct. 8 - vs. Virginia Tech (L 3-34)
Oct. 15 - at Miami (W 20-13)
Oct. 22 - at Virginia (W 35-14)
Nov. 5 - vs. Georgia Tech (W 48-20)
Nov. 10 - at Duke (L 27-28)
Nov. 19 - vs. The Citadel (W 41-7)
Nov. 25 - vs. North Carolina St. (L 21-28)
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