Tye Hill Breaks Out Against Heels |
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Tye Hill hadn't touched the ball since a 32-yard
touchdown run at the end of the first half of the Virginia game almost a month ago. Apparently he was well rested. Hill, splitting time at tailback with Bernard Rambert in the absence of the ailing Yusef Kelly, rushed for 105 yards (14 carries) and a touchdown Saturday afternoon, helping Clemson roll over North Carolina, 42-12, at Kenan Stadium. Rambert also rushed for over 100 yards - 106, to be exact - on an afternoon in which the ground game accounted for 256 of the Tigers' 530 total yards. But it was Hill who impressed the most, showing the ability to get the tough yards inside as well as using his impressive speed to get to the corner. The ability to do both a quality necessary for Hill or anyone else to become a featured back. And though he sent a message that perhaps he can be the main guy, like all good backs he directed the praise elsewhere. "The coaches emphasized all week that to be successful we had to run the ball," Hill said. "I give all gratitude and everything to the line, because they did what they had to do today...They were challenged pretty hard this week, but they rose to the occasion. "Me and Bernard, we got our hundred because we worked hard, but because the line worked hard, too." The more Hill ran, the stronger he appeared to get. At one juncture he carried six consecutive plays, gaining 49 yards in the process. When he had to use his speed to turn the corner - as he did on his 9-yard scoring run late in the game - the burst was there. All in all, it was easily the rushing attack's best day of the season, and it came at a time when the Tigers needed a confidence boost in that area heading into two difficult home games to close out the regular season: Maryland next week, and South Carolina on Nov. 23. "To play with this team (UNC) we knew we'd have to really work hard," said Hill. "And that's what we did."
Upgrade Your Account
Unlock premium boards and exclusive features (e.g. ad-free) by upgrading your account today.
Upgrade Now
