Duke brings nation's No. 1 run defense into UNC gameThe Blue Devils have the best defense against the run in the Bowl Subdivision, allowing just 47.7 yards on the ground per game heading into this week's rivalry game with North Carolina. They rank seventh in the nation in total defense at 223 yards per game and their opponents have converted just 12 percent of their third downs — second-best in the FBS. (Associated Press)
Carolina Insider Podcast: Road Win At ODUBreak down UNC's football road win at Old Dominion and look ahead to the rivalry game this weekend against Duke with the latest episode of the Carolina Insider podcast. Hosts Jones Angell of the Tar Heel Sports Network and Adam Lucas of GoHeels.com provide their insiders' insight into another big week of Tar Heel football. (GoHeels.com)
Chansky’s Notebook: Duke Game a MysteryThe Tar Heels showed an improved running game behind sophomore Jordan Brown and freshman Michael Carter, and Chazz Surratt played his best college game at quarterback. But can they do that against Duke’s best defensive front since the days of Mike McGee? Can the Heels contain quarterback Daniel Jones and some speedy running backs and receivers? (Chapelboro.com)
Julius Peppers: Panthers defense 'best I've ever played on'Julius Peppers played for the 2012 Chicago Bears (top-ranked in the NFL that season), the 2005 Carolina Panthers (second-ranked) and the 2002 Panthers (third-ranked). So where does the 2017 Carolina defense, which hasn’t given up a touchdown in the first two games, compare to others Peppers has been a part of? “This is the best one I’ve ever played on," Peppers said. (ESPN.com)
Stats to know after UNC's football first winUNC is averaging 39.3 points over three games, tying them for 30th in the country. Their 450.7 yards per game average ranks 49th. In Larry Fedora’s 68-game tenure, the Tar Heels have scored 40 or more points in 27 games and 50 or more points in 11 games. Sophomore tailback Jordon Brown had more carries against ODU (18) than UNC had rushing yards against Louisville (17). (Daily Tar Heel)
Game Film Confirms Defensive Growth for UNCAfter criticizing his team’s lack of communication and efficiency on defense after the first two weeks of the season, Larry Fedora was pleased with the unit’s improvement in UNC’s 53-23 win over Old Dominion on Saturday. “I saw progress,” Fedora told reporters Monday. “I saw communication. We didn’t have communication problems; guys did a much better job." (Inside Carolina)
See the latest additions to UNC’s growing injury list as Duke game approachesNorth Carolina coach Larry Fedora doesn’t often discuss details of injuries – what they are, how long they might keep a player from playing – but the overall health of his team is growing so dire that he can’t help but acknowledge the obvious. “The way this thing’s going right now, we’re going to need every single guy and probably some of you,” Fedora said to reporters. (Charlotte Observer)
Tar Heels look to healUNC’s hurting football team was feeling better only because it won its latest game. The Tar Heels are a banged-up bunch and so that leaves their lineup for Saturday’s game against Duke in a stage of uncertainty. The offensive line might be where the biggest concerns exist. “We’re going to have five guys that go out there and fight their butt off,” Larry Fedora said Monday. (Burlington Times News)
Rivalry week comes early for UNC footballLarry Fedora says he prefers playing rivalry games later in the season. But during his weekly press conference Monday, Fedora spent time fielding questions about Duke, which the Tar Heels will face Saturday in their second ACC game of the season. Saturday's game marks the 104th in the rivalry, and it will be their earliest meeting in series history – the previous being Oct. 10, 1925. (GoHeels.com)
UNC Prepares for Earliest Meeting with Duke in Series HistorySaturday marks the first time the Tar Heels and Blue Devils have played in September and represents the earliest meeting in series history by nearly three weeks (Oct. 10, 1925). The rivals have played in November in 77 of the last 78 years and met in the regular season finale 49 times in 61 years before N.C. State assumed the role of UNC’s final opponent in 2014. (Inside Carolina)
Video: Larry Fedora Pre-Duke Press ConferenceNorth Carolina head football coach Larry Fedora addresses the media as the Tar Heels prepare to host the Duke Blue Devils on Saturday at 3:30 in Kenan Stadium (3:30 ESPNU).
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Monday, September 18, 2017 UNC vs. Georgia Tech Game Time SetThe North Carolina vs. Georgia Tech game will kick off at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30 in Atlanta's Bobby Dodd Stadium. In 2016, The Tar Heels defeated the Yellow Jackets 48-20 in Kenan Stadium. UNC is riding a three game winning streak over the Rambling Wreck. UNC (1-2) is coming off a 53-23 win over Old Dominion and will take on Duke this Saturday. (Inside Carolina)
It's time for Mitch Trubisky — even if John Fox can't see itStart him anyway, and stop coddling a 22-year-old who proved in the preseason why he was the No. 2 selection in the NFL draft. Trubisky's mobility fits better with an offensive line that needs a quarterback to help hide its shortcomings, an element Glennon can't offer. Trubisky's accuracy and ability to hit receivers in stride will improve their efficiency. (Chicago Tribune)
Ho-hum weekend ends with swarm of B grades for Triangle football coachesLarry Fedora, North Carolina, B: UNC's offense was too much for Old Dominion in the Tar Heels’ 53-23 win, but there was a lot for Fedora to fret about on the trip home. The defense gave up a 71-yard touchdown pass and the special teams leaked oil throughout a warm afternoon. On the bright side, the Tar Heels' quickly rebuilt offensive unit is fully up and humming. (WRAL Sports Fan)
Five With Fedora - Sept. 18When you watched the game film, what specific areas did you feel the defense performed well in compared to the first two weeks? Larry Fedora: "First, the communication that we talked about previously was much improved this week. But we didn't really need to wait until we saw the film to see that because you could see it and feel it during the game and on the sidelines." (GoHeels.com)
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| Virginia | 42 | | at Boise State | 23 | | FINAL |
| | NC State | 0 | | at #11 Florida State | 0 | | Saturday 12:00 PM |
| | Kent State | 0 | | at #20 Louisville | 0 | | Saturday 12:00 PM |
| | Pittsburgh | 0 | | at Georgia Tech | 0 | | Saturday 12:20 PM |
| | Old Dominion | 0 | | at #13 Virginia Tech | 0 | | Saturday 2:00 PM |
| | Boston College | 0 | | at #2 Clemson | 0 | | Saturday 3:30 PM |
| | Toledo | 0 | | at #14 Miami | 0 | | Saturday 3:30 PM |
| | Wake Forest | 0 | | at Appalachian State | 0 | | Saturday 3:30 PM |
| | Duke | 0 | | at North Carolina | 0 | | Saturday 3:30 PM |
| | Syracuse | 0 | | at #23 LSU | 0 | | Saturday 7:00 PM |
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Scores provided by a third-party and may be delayed by a couple of minutes |
| Coastal Division | ACC | Overall |
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| (13) Virginia Tech | 0-0 | 3-0 | | Duke | 0-0 | 3-0 | | Virginia | 0-0 | 3-1 | | (14) Miami | 0-0 | 1-0 | | Georgia Tech | 0-0 | 1-1 | | Pittsburgh | 0-0 | 1-2 | | North Carolina | 0-1 | 1-2 |
| Atlantic Division | ACC | Overall |
|---|
| (2) Clemson | 1-0 | 3-0 | | Wake Forest | 1-0 | 3-0 | | (19) Louisville | 1-1 | 2-1 | | Syracuse | 0-0 | 2-1 | | NC State | 0-0 | 2-1 | | (12) Florida State | 0-0 | 0-1 | | Boston College | 0-1 | 1-2 |
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