Nov. 16, 2009
CHAPEL HILL - Cornerback Kendric Burney intercepted three passes and returned them for an ACC record 170 yards, including a 77-yard touchdown, in Carolina's win over No. 12 Miami to earn Progress Energy Tar Heel of the Week honors for November 9-15, 2009.
Burney's 170 yards also broke the UNC record for interception return yardage in an entire season. The previous single-game ACC mark was 128 by Duke's Dennis Tabron vs. Clemson on October 18, 1980. The 170 yards increase Burney's career INT return yardage to 317 to break the UNC career record held previously by Kareen Taylor (206) from 2003-06. Burney returned his second interception 77 yards for a touchdown for his second career interception return score, tying a school record now held by seven Tar Heels. His 77-yard return was the seventh-longest in school history, and Burney now has two of Carolina's eight longest interception returns. Burney became the first Tar Heel with three interceptions in a game since Dre' Bly against Georgia Tech in 1996. On his third interception, Burney returned it 46 yards, then fumbled the ball to teammate Melvin Williams for the final 44 yards and a touchdown.
Other nominees:
DEON THOMPSON
Men's Basketball
Senior, Forward
Torrance, Calif.
Deon Thompson averaged 17.7 points and 8.3 rebounds, and scored 20 points in two of three games, to lead the Tar Heels to a 3-0 start last week. He had a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds in the opener vs. FIU, scored 13 points in a 20-minute stint in an 89-42 win over NC Central, and had a team-high 20 points, eight boards and three assists vs. Valparaiso. Thompson shot 59 percent from the floor (20 of 34) and 87 percent from the free throw line (13 of 15) in the three contests.
DENNIS DRURY
Wrestling
Senior, 197 pounds
Jenkintown, Pa.
Senior Dennis Drury led North Carolina to a strong showing at the ACC Challenge, which included wins over Gardner-Webb and No. 16 American. Drury went 3-0 on the afternoon with a pin of Gardner-Webb?s Jonothon Velazquez in just 1:52, a 16-1 technical fall against American?s Kenneth Clessas and a 9-0 major decision against Bucknell?s Rob Waltko as the Tar Heels nearly rallied from a 10-point deficit with just three bouts remaining. Drury is now 6-1 on the season.
CORA HARMS
Volleyball
Freshman
Placerville, Calif.
Cora Harms assisted Carolina to a 1-1 record this weekend, registering 74 assists and 21 digs in two matches. Harms notched her fifth straight double-double Friday in a 3-1 loss to Maryland. The freshman recorded 37 assists and 15 digs in a tough loss. Saturday cruised to a 3-0 victory over Boston College while posting a .333 hitting percentage. Harms serviced the powerful Carolina attack with 37 assists and six digs. Carolina remained undefeated, 10-0, all-time against Boston College in the victory. Harms has registered 30 plus assists in every conference match she has played.
