Die Allianz T-D-P » Haynes future is up in the air after he faile

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Mitch Trubisky kept scanning the field, delivering the ball on target with a cool composure for North Carolina -- down to when he made the games biggest play in the frantic final seconds.The junior threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Bug Howard with 2 seconds left to help the Tar Heels rally past Pittsburgh 37-36 on Saturday in the Atlantic Coast Conference opener for two teams that finished 1-2 atop the Coastal Division last season.We had talked about before the game that we had an opportunity to establish the identity of this football team, UNC coach Larry Fedora said. And I can say theres a lot of grit in this football team for one, a lot of toughness -- all the intangibles that we need to be successful.Trubisky threw for career highs of 453 yards and five touchdowns for the Tar Heels (3-1, 1-0 ACC). His main target was Ryan Switzer, who tied a program record with 16 catches for 208 yards and a score.The Tar Heels never led until the final play and trailed by 13 with 6 minutes left. But Trubisky led a 17-play, 63-yard drive that included three fourth-down conversions in a stunning finish, sending UNCs players running onto the field to celebrate once they stopped Pitts final-play kick return.Everybody believed, man, Howard said. We had some fans leaving and stuff, people was giving up on us after they scored that last touchdown. But the defense had our back, we had their back, we told them if theyd get one more stop, were going to make it happen.Quadree Henderson ran for 107 yards to for the Panthers (2-2, 0-1), who ran for 281 yards but went three-and-out on their last two drives to give UNC its opening.When something like that (comeback) happens, you have to look at yourself first: Did I do everything I needed to do to get us a victory? Pitt defensive end Ejuan Price said. I think that answer is no.THE TAKEAWAYPITTSBURGH: Simply put, the Panthers have to get better against the pass. Dating to last weeks loss at Oklahoma State, Pitt has surrendered 993 yards through the air couldnt get a stop late -- even as coach Pat Narduzzi said he thought the team was a lot sounder this week.I thought our coaches did a great job putting them in position to make plays today, Narduzzi said. It comes down to, `Is that going to be a catch at the end?NORTH CAROLINA: Maybe the Tar Heels have a little more toughness than it appeared early. Trubisky has settled into a mistake-free groove, and this could be a springboard for a team looking to repeat last years run of 11 straight wins to a division title.GROUND GAMESPittsburgh averaged 5.1 yards per carry even after losing 28 yards on a bad first-quarter snap, with James Conner among four players to rush for TDs. The Panthers held the Tar Heels to 18 yards rushing.CLUTCHThe Tar Heels completed all four of their fourth-down chances, the three on the final drive. Trubisky squeezed one throw through to Switzer on a fourth-and-6 for 15 yards, connected with Austin Proehl on another fourth-and-6 for 13 yards then went back to Switzer on for nine yards on fourth-and-9 with 51 seconds left.THE FINAL SEQUENCEThe Tar Heels had no timeouts as they got a first-and-goal from Pittsburghs 4-yard line with 31 seconds left.Trubisky couldnt connect with Howard on first down, then called a run play to Elijah Hood that was stopped in a time-burning pileup at the 2.As the clock ticked inside of 10 seconds, the Tar Heels lined up quickly for the winning throw.They gave us a look we wanted for the fade and Bug made a fantastic catch, Trubisky said, but credit to everyone for knowing their job, getting lined up and running it, because the clock was running and that was crucial.PREGAME PROTESTA section of fans in the UNC student section raised their fists and remained seated in protest during the pregame national anthem. Roughly 100 black and white students wearing black shirts participated, as well as at least two UNC marching-band members who took a knee -- one while raising a fist.Chapel Hill is about 140 miles northeast of Charlotte, where there have been protests this week following a fatal police shooting of a black man.UP NEXTPITTSBURGH: The Panthers step out of ACC play to host Marshall in the first meeting between the schools.NORTH CAROLINA: The rotating schedule of cross-division league games did the Tar Heels no favors. They travel to No. 13 Florida State for their first trip to Tallahassee since winning there in 2010.---Follow Aaron Beard on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/aaronbeardap and the APs college football site at http://collegefootball.ap.org Stitched Football Jerseys Throwback . While hell be dialed in to that tournament on a course he loves, you can forgive him if his eyes glance down the calendar just a bit, towards April. Clearance Football Jerseys Throwback . -- Three close looks at the bucket, three misses. http://www.cheapfootballthrowback.com/ .ca NBA Power Rankings, ahead of the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs. Custom Football Jerseys Throwback . 9. Price, heading to the 2014 Olympics for Canada, was named the First Star after posting wins in three starts with a 1.00 goals-against average and a .971 save percentage. Wholesale Football Jerseys Throwback . The winner Saturday will remain in the elite 10-team field next year. "We talked about wanting to be disciplined and stick with our game plan and good things will come," Draisaitl said, who had two goals for the victors. Parramatta are unfazed by reports Jarryd Hayne is edging towards signing with rugby union, saying theyre content with their roster.Haynes future is up in the air after he failed to make the final cut for the Fiji Rugby Sevens Olympic squad.The 28-year-old departed Parramatta for a stint in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers in 2014 and the Eels remain in the hunt for his signature.However, Hayne on Wednesday met with ARU officials about signing with the NSW Waratahs and is considering an option to play Super Rugby and moonlight in Japanese Rugby.The Sydney Roosters, South Sydney and Newcastle have all ruled themselves out of the race for the cross-code star with the Eels and Gold Coast the NRL sides left vying for his services.Asked if he felt nervous after seeing photos of Hayne meeting with the ARU, Parramatta coach Brad Arthur said: Thats fine. Were really happy with our list and our squad moving forward and if Jarryd wants to be part of that, thats great.ddddddddddddIf he doesnt, hes got to do whats best for Jarryd.Eels star playmaker Kieran Foran has asked for a release from the final three years of his deal, potentially creating salary cap space for the recruitment of Hayne.In 2012, the Eels and the NRL bungled a deal to get Israel Folau, who had just finished a stint in the AFL to the club, but Arthur said he didnt have any fears if the club missed out on a blue-chip player this time around with Hayne.I think its a big moment for Jarryd and what he wants to do for the rest of his career, Arthur said.If he doesnt want to play rugby league, theres no point anyone trying to force him. ' ' '