Heels should stick with Sexton

Dane Huffman

Dane Huffman, a Raleigh native, has covered North Carolina sports since 1983. He is the Sports Managing Editor at WRAL.

Heels should stick with Sexton

By Dane Huffman
Oct 13, 2008

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North Carolina’s football season looked dead in the water when quarterback T.J. Yates was injured against Virginia Tech Sept. 20.

Cam Sexton has since led the Tar Heels to three straight victories, including the pulsating win Saturday over Notre Dame.

Yates was scheduled to miss at least six weeks with a fractured ankle. That would put him back for Carolina’s final three games, beginning Nov. 15 at Maryland.

Some coaches believe a player shouldn’t lose his starting position because of injury. But I believe Sexton’s play, especially the poise he has shown in tough situations, means he should remain the starter.

No one doubts Yates’ ability to throw the ball or lead the team, but you wonder what sort of shape he’ll be in when he returns.

Carolina has three tough games ahead until then – at Virginia this weekend, followed by home games with Boston College and Georgia Tech. The Heels should win all three, but they aren’t gimmees.

Sexton’s performance has steered Carolina toward a bowl. If he continues to play at his current level, he should start – even if Yates is available.

You had to be impressed by Sexton’s play against Notre Dame. The Irish, under former UNC defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta, love to blitz, but Sexton turned in a steady effort that resulted in 201 yards passing on an 18-of-32 touch.

The numbers for Sexton and Yates overall are quite similar. Yates, in three games, completed 60.6 percent of his passes for 623 yards and six touchdowns against one interception. He averaged 207.7 yards passing per game.

Sexton, in three games, has completed 56.7 percent of his throws for 560 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He has averaged 186.7 yards per game.

Once Yates returns, it will be tempting for UNC to put him back on the field.

I wouldn’t rush to make that change. Sexton has shown he is capable of leading Carolina to wins in the most emotional of situations. He should continue to start, even when Yates returns.

Most Recent Comments

Thank you Mel Kiper for your expert analysis. This isnt for first chair in the flute section of the marching band. (Sorry if that brings up bad memories for you mr. huffman). But college football is a business...and you best believe Butch Davis will make the best decision for the program...So lets not retire Cam Sexton's jersey just yet...If Im not mistaken, his 1st college start was a pretty good one...and we saw what happened. Im not taking anything away from Sexton, he has played well...We should wait and see how it all unfolds.

its not about Mo necessarily. I agree as well though overall. Sexton is actually more mobile than Yates. I'd only bring Yates in if the wheels fell off because Yates is your QB of the future. That i think will cause problems though because UNC-CH will have Paulus, Braden Hansen, and Bryn Renner, and Yates is only a RSh-Sophomore.