DATE: Sunday, August 24, 1997               TAG: 9708240220

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C3   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: FRANK VEHORN
                                            LENGTH:   73 lines

ACC REPORT

Bly wants his number retired after graduation

North Carolina cornerback Dre' Bly is only a sophomore but already he is assured of having his name and jersey number placed on the facade of Kenan Stadium's upper deck and in the school's Hall of Honor.

In fact, the former Deep Creek High School star could be so honored this season by virtue of being named a consensus All-American last year.

Bly, though, asked coach Mack Brown to delay the honor until he finishes school.

``He said `If I am looking at my number in that stadium and somebody runs by me they might take it down','' Brown related.

``That was a very mature thing to do, and we felt that it might take some of the pressure off him if we waited until he graduates.''

Deep Creek's Dyer shining at fullback

Another former Deep Creek athlete, sophomore Deon Dyer, is drawing compliments from UNC coaches after moving into the starting fullback job.

``He grew up a lot over the summer, matured off the field and on the field, did a real nice job in school and worked hard in the weight room. Now he looks like a Greek god,''says running backs coach Ken Mack.

``He's a bruiser . . . the kind of fullback that will really get the attention of opposing linebackers.''

Dyer played in every game last season as a true freshman, mainly on special teams.

UNC's Keldorf says Godwin made right move

UNC quarterback Chris Keldorf says freshman tailback Tyrell Godwin did the right thing by turning down a $2 million pro baseball offer from the New York Yankees.

``That is a tremendous amount of money and it would make a lot of people happy for a period of time. But, to be honest with you, $2 million can't replace a college experience,'' Keldorf said.

``You could pay me $20 million and it still won't replace a college experience. He is just going to learn so much about life, become so well rounded. Besides, what is a 17-year-old kid going to do with $2 million? I am happy he's still here, and I think he is happy he's still here.''

Godwin is on an academic scholarship. He's studying to be a doctor.

Around the ACC

The rubber bands that North Carolina State players are wearing around their wrists were prompted by motivational speaker Ray Pelletier.

``It's just a reminder that we are a team and nothing can come between us,'' says coach Mike O'Cain.

Duke coach Fred Goldsmith has narrowed a crowd of contenders for the quarterback job down to fifth-year senior David Green and redshirt freshman Bobby Campbell.

Green was starter last year before being sidelined by an ankle injury and then a concussion.

Why doesn't the ACC have a team playing in one of the two season-opening games?

League officials blame it on Nebraska.

They say the table was set for Clemson to play Nebraska in the Pigskin Classic but the Cornhuskers turned down the deal, claiming Clemson had too many starters returning.

The ACC expects to have a team involved next year.

The Big East won't like this, but N.C. State coach Mike O'Cain says he's talked to Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer to get info about season-opening opponent Syracuse.

O'Cain also got some ideas from North Carolina coach Mack Brown, whose Tar Heels beat Syracuse in the Carrier Dome last year.

UNC's defense may be rated the toughest in the nation, but Virginia running back Thomas Jones doesn't think it is any better than one he faces every day in practice.

``If I can do it on the practice field against these guys, I can do it against any anyone,'' Jones says.

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