Syracuse head football coach Paul Pasqualoni didn’t need to look at the statistics to know the grim reality — SU’s third-down defense was abysmal.

“I don’t know what the third down is going to say,” Pasqualoni said, “but I’m not going to be happy with it.”

Pasqualoni could draw from enough anecdotal evidence, especially a converted third-and-15 by North Carolina with less than five minutes remaining. That play led to a late touchdown that capped a 30-22 North Carolina win Saturday in front of 39,444 at the Carrier Dome.

The loss drops the Orangemen to 0-2, the same record as last season after losses to Georgia Tech and Tennessee.

For the record, the stats show the Tar Heels converted 10 of 19 third downs, none bigger than UNC quarterback Darian Durant’s 22-yard, fourth-quarter strike to wide receiver Sam Aiken.

“That was an awfully big play in the game,” Pasqualoni said.

On the two previous plays, the SU defense had stiffened and thrown the Tar Heels for losses, setting up the third-and-15. Durant hit Aiken over the middle for the first down, and six plays later, he found Bobby Blizzard for a 12-yard touchdown pass that ended the scoring.

Though the Orangemen showed flashes of defensive improvement from the season opener, they allowed big plays all night. In addition to Aiken’s reception, Syracuse allowed a first-quarter, 50-yard touchdown run by Willie Parker that gave UNC a 10-0 lead. In the fourth quarter, the Tar Heels scored on a 48-yard pass to Jarwarski Pollock for a 23-22 advantage.

Overall, North Carolina compiled 436 yards of total offense. Durant threw for 284 yards on 19-of-34 passing. The Tar Heels controlled the clock when they needed to, posting a 10:34 time-of-possession advantage.

Behind leading tackler Clifton Smith (16), the Syracuse defense held early. Besides Parker’s long touchdown run, it allowed only two long field goals by UNC kicker Dan Orner.

The Orangemen scored on Walter Reyes’ 1-yard run and wide receiver Johnnie Morant’s 14-yard reverse pitch — the first carry of his career —for a 14-13 halftime advantage.

“We looked very good at times,” said Reyes, who rushed for 86 yards on 12 carries. “But we didn’t come up with the plays.”

The biggest missed play was a long incompletion to tight end Joe Donnelly. On a first down from the SU 41, Syracuse quarterback R.J. Anderson floated a pass over the middle to Donnelly, who had found a seam and sneaked down the field wide open. The pass, though, was slightly overthrown and went off Donnelly’s fingertips.

“That’s just one of those plays,” Donnelly said. “That’s one of those plays we’d definitely like to get back and do again. There’s a lot of plays that we’re going to see on film that are just going to make us cringe.”

Anderson can probably think of a few plays like that, too. The normally mistake-free signal caller tossed a first-half interception and underthrew several receivers.

Anderson finished 4-of-11 passing for just 71 yards, but had better success rushingthe ball. He dove into the endzone on a quarterback-keeper in the third quarter to give the Orangemen a 22-16 lead.

“You don’t put up 22 points without getting in a groove,” Anderson said.

On most days, Syracuse would expect to win with 22 points. But the SU defense couldn’t hold in the fourth quarter.

The Tar Heels started the last period on their own 13-yard line. After four runs and a pass brought UNC to the Syracuse 48, Durant misfired, setting up a third and 10. That’s when Durant heaved a touchdown pass to Pollock, who beat Syracuse cornerback Latroy Oliver. The Tar Heels moved ahead, 23-22, and Syracuse lamented another blown third down.

Syracuse went three and out on the ensuing possession, and when North Carolina got the ball back, it embarked on a 14-play, 7:17 march that ended with Blizzard’s 12-yard touchdown catch.

“We’re going to fight back,” Anderson said. “Believe me. This team is used to playing with their backs against the wall.”

Published on September 8, 2002 at 12:00 pm