UNC Freshman Wide Receiver Leaves his Mark on Senior Day
Chapel Hill, NC – An intriguing situation arises when a Power Five school plays a team that their far superior to on Senior day. Barring an upset, seniors go out on top and players who don’t get significant playing time see meaningful action for the first time.
The North Carolina Tar Heels left nothing up to chance and defeated the Mercer Bears 56-7. On a day that Tar Heels seniors will remember for the rest of their lives, a first-year made a memory of his own.
North Carolina freshman wide receiver Emery Simmons – a Parkton, N.C., native – played in seven games before today’s matchup, but only had 3 receptions for 39 receiving yards and zero touchdowns. But earlier in the second quarter, North Carolina freshman quarterback Sam Howell, who’s Simmons’s suitemate, connected with Simmons for a 33-yard touchdown reception: on a play that wasn’t even supposed to end up in Simmons’ hands.
“It was really supposed to go to the slot receiver (Rontavius) Groves,” Simmons said, “but the safety came over there and jumped him too. So thankfully, Sam (Howell) looked in the middle of the field – saw me – and got me the ball for the touchdown.”
Senior day was a cold and raining day, which makes catching a foo
tball more difficult – even for veteran receivers.
“When I saw the ball in the air,” Simmons said. “I was like, ‘OK, all you have to do now is come down with the ball, and you’ll be OK.’ And I tried for dear life to hold onto the ball as hard as I could just because I knew it would be my first touchdown reception. And luckily, I held onto it – got the job done.”
His fellow teammates swarmed Simmons after he hauled in his first touchdown reception.
“It felt great knowing that I had their support and their best interest at hand,” Simmons said. “It made me feel good knowing that – with me making a play like that – they’re coming, and they’re being supportive of me, and I really appreciate that.”
North Carolina (5-6, ACC 3-4) play their last regular-season game next Saturday, Nov. 23, on the road at Carter-Finley Stadium against their rivals – the North Carolina State Wolfpack – for an opportunity to play in a bowl game for the first time since 2016.
“Now that we got it over with,” Simmons said. “Now it’s – quick erase, quick memory. Now, we’re getting on to State. Now it’s time to go ahead and push the envelope with them. Get to six wins. And get to a bowl game.”
(Feature image courtesy of Landon Bost)