BY BRIANA GORMAN

bgorman@heraldsun.com; 419-6668

CHAPEL HILL -- Quarterback Mike Paulus' debut season at North Carolina didn't go exactly as he planned.

Paulus, a highly regarded recruit who redshirted the 2007 season, was given a chance to lead the Tar Heels after starter T.J. Yates went down in the third game of the season against Virginia Tech. But Paulus struggled early and often and soon was regulated to the bench as Cam Sexton took over and led UNC to a 5-2 record during Yates' absence.

To say Paulus was disappointed in the way he played a year ago would be an understatement. He was equal bits mad, upset and frustrated.

"Obviously, anyone who gets a chance to go out there and help their team win the game and you don't do it and you let your teammates, your friends and all those fans down, it's tough," Paulus said. "But I've learned from it, and I think I'm a better player because of it."

Paulus again will be listed as the backup this season, as Sexton transferred to Division II Catawba for his final season of eligibility. Given Yates' history of injuries, there is a good chance Paulus could see the field.

And the 6-4, 215 sophomore can't wait to get back out there and redeem himself.

Paulus said he feels more comfortable in the offense this season and spent the offseason working on his accuracy and learning to make better decisions with the ball. When he replaced Yates in the Virginia Tech game, Paulus was 3-of-8 passing for 23 yards and two interceptions.

"I think when you get in there and you're a young guy and you haven't been out there, you want to make something happen," Paulus said. "And I think maybe that's where my roads crossed between being smart and hitting someone open or going for that unbelievable play that gets the crowd on their feet. And that's something I've learned now is just to move the ball and drive the ball down the field; that's the best way to get points."

Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach John Shoop said he thinks Paulus has more confidence this season. He said Paulus has worked hard to develop a mid-range throw and has improved his accuracy.

"Quarterbacking is a real craft," Shoop said. "It's not just how big is your arm, how hard can you throw the ball. [Paulus is] developing touch, he's developing being accurate to the left side of the field and opening his hips. And he's understanding that [he is] more of a point guard and it's not about me, it's about distributing the ball to good teammates."

Paulus might have picked up some of that point guard mentality after spending the summer with his brother Greg, who spent the past four years guiding the Duke basketball team. Mike Paulus said living with his brother, who will be the starting quarterback at Syracuse this season, was more about spending time together but it also gave him a chance to pick up some advice about being a big-time college athlete.

"He went through struggles at Duke, so he understands how it is," Paulus said. "College sports, especially major ones like Duke, North Carolina, it's a tough business and you're going to have a lot of ups and downs. But it's just kind of like, always keep your head up and you just have to keep working.

"Sometimes it doesn't seem like the breaks are going your way, ... but you've got to be a team player and you've got to keep working hard."