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Wednesday, November 1
UNC's Torbush is on the hot season -- again

By Gregg Doyel
Special to ESPN.com

CHAPEL HILL -- A few hours before it turned dark on Halloween, North Carolina football coach Carl Torbush was asked what he would be -- if he were the trick-or-treating type.

"I'd be the disappearing man," Torbush said.

It may happen yet.


	Carl Torbush has a 14-18 record at North Carolina.

Torbush, in his third season as head coach, has been under scrutiny since his first regular-season game, a 13-10 loss at home in the 1998 opener to Miami (Ohio). The heat is on again in Chapel Hill, and it may become even hotter than last season -- when Torbush was told he was fired, then allowed to stay after winning the last two games for a 3-8 record.

Now, with North Carolina 3-5, mired in a four-game losing streak and staring at the bleak possibility of Christmas without a bowl game for the second straight year, Torbush's job clearly is in danger. UNC athletics director Dick Baddour takes a particularly ominous stance, refusing to discuss Torbush's status until after the season.

Torbush's contract, combined with the financial state of the UNC athletic department, works in his favor. With two years left on his five-year deal at anywhere from $145,000 to $500,000 annually -- depending on whether the school would be responsible simply for the base salary, or shoe and media contracts, too -- Torbush would be an expensive fire.

North Carolina already is paying ex-basketball coaches Dean Smith and Bill Guthridge as consultants, not to mention Guthridge's three-man staff through this school year. The athletic department also is paying new coach Matt Doherty, his staff, and a new position -- director of basketball operations.

So, while the darkening mood among certain UNC administrators and big-wig alumni may dictate one thing, the equally dark fiscal reality may dictate something else

Meanwhile, Torbush (14-18 record at UNC) carries on full of pep and positive talk, just as he did late last season, with wolves howling outside his office -- and all over Kenan Stadium.

"You can't worry about things you can't control," he says. "Hopefully I'll always (act) the same way. I've got to keep my head up, because I'm the leader of this football program."

For how long is the question.

Around the ACC

Clemson
QB Woody Dantzler (ankle) remains questionable for the Florida State game. If Dantzler isn't practicing by Thursday, Willie Simmons would start -- but Dantzler could play if he feels ready Saturday. ? Despite misses from 39 and 29 yards in the Tigers' loss to Georgia Tech, freshman Aaron Hunt probably will kick this week against Florida State, coach Tommy Bowden said. ? LB Chad Carson's 22 tackles against the Jackets are tied for third in school history.

Duke
The Blue Devils' enjoyed their only second-half lead this season, 3-0 against Maryland, before losing 20-9. ? QB D. Bryant, who left after getting hit in the head, hasn't missed practice this week and will start against Wake Forest. ? With dates remaining with N.C. State and North Carolina, the winless Deacons clearly give Duke its best chance to avoid an 0-11 season.

Florida State
DE Alonzo Jackson was ejected from the game for a hit on N.C. State quarterback Philip Rivers, but will return against Clemson. ? OL Donald Heaven (concussion) will play this week. ? True freshman Brett Cimorelli has regained the PK position thanks to his field goal and perfect kicking on extra points after starter Chance Gwaltney had a 31-yarder blocked and backup Matt Munyon missed an extra point against N.C. State.

Georgia Tech
QB George Godsey set school records by going 35-for-57 for 454 yards against Clemson. ? WR Kelly Campbell, who missed the final play with cramps, tied a school record with 14 catches, the most ever against Clemson. ? This season Godsey is 46-for-64 (71.9 percent) for 505 yards in the fourth quarter.

Maryland
Although backup QB Shaun Hill replaced Calvin McCall in the third quarter to beat Duke, coach Ron Vanderlinden says McCall will start this week against N.C. State. ... TB LaMont Jordan's 77-yarder was the second longest of his career. ... PK Brian Kopka's 49-yard field goal was his longest. ... Backup DT Landon Jones (foot) needs surgery and is out for the year.

North Carolina
The Tar Heels are last in the ACC and among the worst in Division I in turnover margin, at minus-12. ? QB Ronald Curry missed practice Monday for his grandmother's funeral in Hampton, Va., but will start against Pittsburgh. ? Unheralded sophomore James Faison is pushing Anthony Saunders for the starting fullback job. ? Willie Parker is doing the same to Brandon Russell at tailback.

N.C. State
Backup middle linebacker Edrick Smith will miss the rest of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery. His replacement is converted defensive end Brian Jamison. ? Despite throwing for a season-low 150 yards against Florida State, QB Philip Rivers broke the ACC single-season record for freshmen with 2,053. ? After nine catches with two touchdowns in his first game, TE Willie Wright has had 15 catches and one score in the last five.

Virginia
Reserve DB Devon Simmons, playing because of starter Jerton Evans' back injury, had eight tackles and his first career interception -- in the end zone -- against North Carolina. He added a tackle for a loss and sidelined UNC receiver Sam Aiken with a fourth-quarter hit. ? Coach George Welsh says Simmons earned more playing time, but Evans will regain his job if he heals as expected.

Wake Forest
QB Anthony Young has recovered from the knee bruise that knocked him from the Deacons' last game, two weeks ago against Maryland. ? The Deacons tried to recruit Duke quarterback D. Bryant, who will start against them this week. "We know he's talented," coach Jim Caldwell said. "He's dangerous." ? A banged-up secondary expects to get back Quintin Williams (ankle), Obi Chukwumah (ankle) and Tehran Carpenter (shoulder).

Gregg Doyel covers the ACC for The Charlotte Observer.

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AUDIO/VIDEO
video

Georgia Tech's Kerry Watkins hauls in the 16-yard game-winner from George Godsey.
avi: 840 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1

George Godsey hits Kelly Campbell 48-yards downfield for the Georgia Tech score.
avi: 1091 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1

Tay Cody returns an interception 52 yards for a Seminole touchdown.
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RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1

Florida State fakes a reverse as Jeff Chaney rumbles in for a 16-yard touchdown.
avi: 713 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1

Terrence Holt blocks a Florida State kick attempt early in the game.
avi: 829 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1

Travis Zachery hauls in the 29-yard pass from Woody Danzler for the Clemson score.
avi: 436 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1

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