UNC Football

Tar Heels Aren't Taking Western Carolina Lightly

Human nature suggests that North Carolina, in spite of its 1-8 record and six-game losing streak, will take Western Carolina lightly when the Catamounts visit Kenan Stadium on Saturday. Western is an FCS program mired in a seven-game losing streak in which it’s average score has been 45-29. “We can’t take this for granted,” UNC cornerback Patrice Rene said. (Tar Heel Illustrated)

Julius Peppers nominated for Art Rooney Award

Four years ago the NFL implemented the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award, which goes to one player each season who exemplifies sportsmanship on the field. The 32 nominees for the fifth annual award were announced Wednesday. Among the recognizable names on the list of nominees is Panthers defensive end and former UNC All-American Julius Peppers. (Yahoo! Sports)

Western Carolina Provides UNC Football Team With Prime Opportunity to Get a Win This Week

Something’s got to give this Saturday, when the UNC football team hosts Western Carolina at Kenan Stadium, as two squads that are struggling mightily will do battle to see which one can snap their long losing streak. The Tar Heels enter the game at 1-8 overall having lost six games in a row, while the Catamounts have dropped seven straight outings after opening the year 3-0. (Chapelboro.com)

Podcast: UNC Lettermen's Perspective - Mentality & Expectations Against Western Carolina

The Tar Heels are favored by over 30 points against Western Carolina. This is an ideal opportunity for North Carolina to garner momentum heading into their season finale. Mike Ingersoll, Taylor Vippolis, and E.J. Wilson join Jon Seiglie to give their thoughts on the WCU matchup, and discuss ramifications this game might have for the upcoming clash with NC State. (Blog Talk Radio)

Four Questions with Hebron Christian head coach Jeff Saturday

After leaving the NFL, did you quickly know what you wanted to do, and how did that evolve? Former UNC center Jeff Saturday: "I knew that I was going to coach because I coached my kids - Jeffrey, Savannah, Joshua - even when I was playing in the NFL. I wanted to be a part of all three of my kids' sports experience, whether it be football, soccer, basketball, you name it." (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Some called it "the worst football program in the country." Bobby Rome wasn't daunted.

Bobby Rome was told that succeeding as head football coach at Virginia University of Lynchburg was impossible. “They called it the worst football program in the country,” Rome remembers people telling him. But Rome, a former star quarterback at Granby High School, didn’t let that deter him. VUL is a small, private and historically black college in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. (Daily Press)

North Carolina's Defensive Depth Issues

North Carolina’s 11 defensive starters logged 84.4 percent of the available snaps in the loss to Duke on Saturday. That heavy reliance on core talent underscores depth concerns for a defense ranked T-93rd nationally in yards per play allowed (6.04). “One of our challenges and issues continues to be a lack of depth,” defensive coordinator John Papuchis told reporters on Tuesday. (Inside Carolina)

Western Carolina travels to UNC for battle of struggling teams

It’s been a season of contrasts for the Western Carolina football team. The Catamounts began 2018 with three straight wins. But just when it looked as though they were ready to build on last year’s seven-win season and make a push for an FCS playoff berth, they suddenly forgot how to win. Saturday’s 38-23 Senior Day setback to Wofford was WCU’s seventh in a row. (North State Journal)

We all owe ex-Detroit Lions tight end Eric Ebron an apology

I was wrong. The Detroit Lions were wrong. All of Detroit was wrong. And for that, I offer this apology to former Lions tight end Eric Ebron. We thought you were drop prone and not worth the salary the Lions were paying you. We thought you were all talk. We. Were. Wrong. The Lions dropped Ebron in March and now he’s playing like a Pro Bowler for the Indianapolis Colts. (Detroit Free Press)

Mitch Trubisky Named NFC Offensive Player of the Week

Fresh off one of the most complete performances of his NFL career, former UNC quarterback and current Chicago Bear Mitch Trubisky was recognized Wednesday as NFC Offensive Player of the Week. During the Bears’ 34-22 win over the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Trubisky completed 23 of 30 pass attempts for a career-high 355 yards, three touchdowns, and a rushing touchdown. (Chapelboro.com)

Five With Fedora: UNC vs. Duke

After the game you mentioned how losing this game, with what's at stake in the rivalry, is painful for the players. What's it like for you as a coach? Larry Fedora: "It hurts. It hurts badly too. Rivalry games involve more emotion and more intensity than a typical game. You feel it that week, and honestly you feel it 365 days a year because that's what makes rivalries unique." (GoHeels.com)

Larry Fedora Live: Defending the Quarterback Run

North Carolina will face another dual-threat quarterback in Western Carolina’s Tyrie Adams this Saturday in Chapel Hill. Mobile quarterbacks have been a defensive challenge for the Tar Heels this season. UNC’s run defense has been inconsistent - 12th in the ACC in yards allowed per carry (5.24) - but an obvious weakness lies with stopping the quarterback run. (Inside Carolina)

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