Tar Heels hope to race past Miami

Lost in North Carolina’s sloppy play and Giovani Bernard’s rushing milestone was Zach Brown’s performance against Louisville.

The linebacker recorded 11 tackles and intercepted a pass that can only be described as a good read.

“A couple of years ago I probably would have stayed backside and not flowed with the play,” he said. “This time I took the first crossing route, and I was there.”

It’s been plays on the ball like that interception that have made Brown an impact player for UNC.

Brown has always been an impact player, but before it was because he could move inconceivably fast for his 230-pound frame. He does, after all, hold the UNC record in the 60-meter sprint.

But now Brown is taking better angles when chasing down a ball-carrier instead of making it easy for players to juke him.

“I’m not going to sit here and say, ‘You’re going to outrun me to the sideline.’ Nah,” he said. “I’m going to just sit here, and then you’re going to juke which way you go, then I’m going to go.”

Brown says he began to understand how to make those reads when he was moved to second string and played behind players like Quan Sturdivant two years ago.

Once he was removed from the field, he spent more time studying what happens on the field.

“He’s learned how to do his job,” defensive coordinator Art Kaufman said. “That’s the biggest thing you have to know, not just knowing your job, but knowing the techniques you need to do it.”

UNC, Miami feature top RBs

Saturday’s matchup will feature two of the top running backs, not just in the ACC, but in the nation.

Miami’s Lamar Miller has rushed for 135.4 yards per game, the third highest rushing total in the nation. UNC tailback Bernard has carried the ball for 109.5 yards per game. Both are in the top 20 nationally.

What’s more, the two grew up about 25 miles apart from each other in the Miami area.

“I remember I saw him in the south Florida recruiting magazine, and I was in there,” Bernard said. “It was a big thing for me, and I saw him on the front page and I was like, ‘Oh gosh, look at this guy.’”

Last week Bernard became the first UNC running back to rush for 100 yards in four consecutive games since 1984. Miller has rushed for at least 100 yards in all five of his games.

“He’s done a great job over there, and if I can continue to keep doing, hopefully I can catch up to him,” Bernard said.

QB prepares for speedy ‘Canes

One of the most important things Bryn Renner has learned this year is that sometimes, it’s just better to punt.

“Before I was kind of focused on the next play after that, but definitely I’ve just minimized my role and know what I need to do,” Renner said.

On paper, the ACC’s most efficient QB could have a huge game Saturday against Miami. The Hurricanes give up almost 200 rushing yards per game and only one ACC team is less efficient against the pass than Miami.

But Renner knows the Hurricanes possess one factor that can’t be found in stats.

“They have a lot of speed, and that’s the biggest thing,” he said. “All Miami teams through the years, they bring speed and explosiveness to the table. We’re really going to have our hands full.”

Contact the Sports Editor at sports@dailytarheel.com.