UNC’s Zack Pianalto out for season
The University of North Carolina Tar Heels will be without their star tight end for the remained of the season, as senior Zack Pianalto fractured his right fibula in his club’s win over the Virginia Cavaliers on Saturday 16 October.
Pianalto is said to be undergoing further assessment this week to determine whether or not he will need surgery.
The loss of Pianalto is devastating to the Tar Heels program, as the tight end is the team’s leading receiver and has been a main cog in their offence for the past three years. Pianalto set school records in receptions last season when he brought in 33 passes,
breaking the record for most catches by a tight end. Moreover, the senior was also able to set a school record for most receptions by a tight end in his career with 94.
Pianalto’s achievements are made even more impressive after considering the trouble he has had with injuries throughout his career at UNC. The youngster missed five games last season after suffering a subtalar dislocation in his right foot. In addition,
he missed part of the 2008 season with a right ankle injury. At the end of the 2010 season, Pianalto will have missed 13 possible starts, but will own two school records.
The loss of Pianalto is made worse by the fact that the club has already lost their number one receiver Greg Little, after he was suspended for the rest of the season by the NCAA for receiving improper benefits.
The Tar Heels will now look to Ed Barham and Nelson Hurst to fill in for Pianalto at tight end. However, Barnham has only made three receptions this year for 27 yards, while Hurst has only caught two passes for 11 yards.
This season with the Tar Heels Pianalto managed 30 receptions for 311 yards and one touchdown.
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