Heels' Sexton has something up his sleeve

CHAPEL HILL — North Carolina quarterback Cameron Sexton has a new look since he last started in 2006 (besides his poised demeanor on the field, that is).

The redshirt junior is sporting an elbow-to-bicep sleeve on his throwing arm, a la Allen Iverson. Like the NBA star, Sexton first donned the stretchy white fabric for function, but he keeps wearing it for form.

"I started wearing it last year when I was feeling some soreness in my elbow, and I kind of threw it on,'' Sexton said. "I actually liked it a lot, and kind of stuck with it, and now it's sort of become my niche, I guess. I like it, so I'm sticking with it."

He's gotten a lot of good-natured grief for the style, though, particularly from his offensive linemen. During Sunday's walk-through, he said, center Aaron Stahl walked onto the field wearing Sexton's No. 11 jersey — and his arm-sleeve. The imitation earned a good laugh, especially from Sexton, who has thrown for 359 yards and three touchdowns in his last two games.

"The other guys wear it for more need reasons that I do, so it's not catching on, no,'' Sexton said, grinning.

However, "I still think it keeps my arm warm, and I'm throwing well with it, so it's not coming off now."

-- Robbi Pickeral