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CHAPEL HILL While his older brother attempts to pull off the second chance of all second chances at Syracuse, Mike Paulus has been working on his own.
North Carolina's backup quarterback reported to training camp bigger, stronger and intent on proving he's better than he showed in a brief, ill-fated audition as T.J. Yates' replacement in 2008.
“One thing I learned last year, is you never know when it's going to be your turn,” Paulus said. “I learned so much from it, and because of that I will be ready the next time it happens.”
In step with the familial dynamic, Paulus' quiet pursuit of respectability has fallen outside ESPN's purview while older brother Greg's transformation from Duke point guard to Orange quarterback gets the full “PTI” treatment.
All of which is fine with the younger Paulus, who played the scapegoat in the Tar Heels' wrenching 20-17 loss to Virginia Tech last fall, which prompted him to stop reading his own press clippings.
“I haven't read an article since – good or bad,” said Paulus, who is entering his third season at North Carolina.
Paulus does read one clip every day, however. He saved the column, which compared him to a deer in headlights, that ran in the News & Observer and Charlotte Observer after the Virginia Tech loss Sept. 20. He keeps the column posted in his room.
UNC scored a touchdown on Paulus' first series at quarterback but proceeded to squander a 17-3 lead. A pair of fourth-quarter interceptions from Paulus contributed to the Tar Heels' meltdown.
“The biggest thing you can do is just use it as fuel and work as hard as you can,” Paulus said.
Elsewhere
SOUTH CAROLINA: A strong, steady rainstorm canceled South Carolina's scrimmage Saturday, delaying Steve Spurrier's look at how effective his revamped offensive staff has been so far in fall camp.
Spurrier said the team would hold the scrimmage today.
TENNESSEE: The offense seemed to take a step back in time during the Vols' second fall scrimmage.
After shining in the first scrimmage the week before, the offense – which struggled last season and in spring practice – committed eight penalties, fumbled twice and dropped a number of passes.
“The defense really got after the offense and played extremely physical, played extremely well mentally as well,” coach Lane Kiffin said. “Obviously we've got to do a much better job as a staff on offense.”
VIRGINIA TECH: Fans deflated by leading rusher Darren Evans' season-ending knee injury have found comfort in redshirt freshman and spring game hero Ryan Williams and true freshman David Wilson.
But without Evans, Josh Oglesby of Garner moves into the Hokies' starting backfield.
“Right now, Josh is No. 1, and this is the shot he's been wanting,” Hokies running backs coach Billy Hite said.
QB CONTESTS: For the first time in a long time, there's no ambiguity at quarterback among the Triangle teams, but there are races elsewhere in the ACC.
Early reports indicate Clemson will go with redshirt freshman Kyle Parker over third-year sophomore Willy Korn. That would make sense given the struggles of Korn – the program's annointed savior-in-waiting – and his shoulder injury.
At Virginia, coach Al Groh has been consistent in his support for Vic Hall, the safety-turned-quarterback, despite the return of 2007 starter Jameel Sewell from academic suspension.
BOWL BIDS: The ACC is getting a new opponent for the Gator Bowl, starting in 2010. The Gator, which had a convoluted relationship with the Big East, Big 12 and Notre Dame, is close to finalizing a deal with the Big Ten to send its No. 2 slot to Jacksonville for the traditional New Year's Day game. The Big Ten needed a home after losing its spot in the Alamo Bowl to the Pac-10.
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