Bryn Renner sacked seven times in UNC’s loss to Ga. Tech

ATLANTA — With just more than a minute and a half left on the clock in Saturday’s game against Georgia Tech, North Carolina needed a quick touchdown to tie the score and hold on to the hope of winning its first road game of the season.

But instead of moving down the field as the seconds ticked away, redshirt sophomore quarterback Bryn Renner was forced to spend valuable time peeling himself off the turf of Bobby Dodd Stadium.

Ga. Tech sacked Renner seven times in its 35-28 win against UNC — including twice during the Tar Heels’ final drive.

The sacks and an illegal shift penalty ate up UNC’s precious time on the final drive, and the Tar Heels walked off the field without a win for the first time this season.

But even though the inexperience of his first-year starting quarterback shined against the Yellow Jackets, interim head coach Everett Withers said he hoped Renner would take something from the game’s mishaps.

After getting sacked for the first time in UNC’s win against Virginia, Renner said he would focus on getting rid of the ball instead of looking for opportunities that weren’t there.

But against Ga. Tech, sacks and two interceptions showcased his uneasiness under pressure.

“It starts with me,” Renner said. “We really just need to make more plays to win, and it’s my fault. I need to get the ball out of my hands.”

Prior to UNC’s game against UVa., the Tar Heels were one of just five teams in the nation to allow no sacks in two games played.

Offensive lineman James Hurst said his unit was responsible for many of Renner’s plummets during the game, but it wasn’t the 3-4 defense that tricked UNC.

The offense, Hurst said, just fell too far behind, opening itself up to the pass rush.

“Once you get into third and nine, third and 10, they’re going to bring it,” Hurst said. “They’re going to blitz sometimes more guys than you can block.”

After the game, a visibly dejected Renner blamed himself for miscues that led to UNC’s first loss of the season.

But Withers couldn’t help but be forgiving of Renner’s performance. After all, his starting quarterback is still a work in progress.

“I felt like Bryn could have gotten rid of the ball a few times,” Withers said. “But for the most part, it was tough on a young quarterback. We’ve got to do some things to help him out a little bit more.”

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