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by Jeff Greenberg, GoHeels.com
When Head Coach Larry Fedora was hired, he told Tar Heel fans not to leave their seats. He said he was bringing an exciting brand of football that they wouldn’t want to miss. Well, after the last two weeks I think UNC fans everywhere can agree with what he promised. The last two games alone have produced two of the most memorable endings in school history. First, the touchdown pass to beat Pitt with two seconds on the clock. A week later, a 54-yard field goal with no time left to beat Florida State and snap the Seminoles 22-game home win streak.
Exciting brand of football? Check. Starting the ACC at 2-0? Check. Big win for the program? Check.
1.) You had an excited, in-shock reaction to the game-winning kick. What did this win mean to you and was it one of those stepping-stone wins as you continue to build this program? – “It was really good for these kids. I don’t know if people can really understand what it’s like to go on the road in a very hostile environment against a team that has won 22 games in a row at home. Winning down there is not easy to do. To do it in the fashion that we did it, to be in control of the game, then get behind and then come back and win it in the end, it just says so much about these kids. It says a lot about what these kids are doing with our program. They’re taking this program and the culture that we want forward. They believe they can win and that they can beat anybody. They told me this was the highest ranked team we’ve beaten on the road since 1996, and only the second time since 1970. So I would agree that this is a type of win that moves the program a step further in its evolution. But the best part is seeing the players and coaches on the field after the game with such joy in their faces. It was a great win.”
2.) Every week you emphasize the work your team puts into special teams. Both teams had missed field goals, blocked kicks, a roughing the punter and the game-winning 54-yard field goal. Was this game an example of how special teams can tilt a game one way or the other? –“Absolutely. In this game special teams could have lost it for us, but fortunately it won it for us in this game. Were we clean in this game? No. There were definitely areas where we need things corrected. But it really goes back in practice to doing what we do. There is no need to reinvent ourselves. If our guys can just master what it is we want our guys to do, then we will be ok moving forward. We make it a point to practice different scenarios in the kicking game and it paid off for us this week.”
3.) Ryan Switzer now has 30 receptions in the last two games, which is an ACC record. He was also left off the early season watch lists. Does he get the national attentions he deserves as a wide receiver, and what did you think of him finishing strong in the fourth quarter? – “I think he will now. People are starting to take notice of the skills he has and the plays he is making for this team. This was a huge game for him. Mack Hollins didn’t take a single rep last week in practice. So Switz knew he would have to make plays and step up for us. He’s had a great two weeks and really just a great season up to this point. He loves playing for his teammates and he loves competing. Switz will do whatever it takes to help this team.”
4.) After having a chance to watch the film, what pleased you the most from what you saw, and what frustrated you the most? – “One thing I was pleased with was how our defense performed on third downs. We emphasized getting off of the field on third downs this week in practice. I think heading into the fourth quarter they had not yet converted a third down at that point. So for three quarters we were doing the things we wanted to do defensively. Now, yes, they made some plays, and we knew they would make some plays. But we had held them to 13 points through three quarters and no other team had done that to them. We just didn’t sustain it in the fourth quarter, so that’s what needs to be corrected. We need to finish games. But the defense is getting better each week. They’re making strides in the right direction, but they have to keep eliminating the things that keeps them from finishing the game right. On offense we felt like we left points out there. We felt like we had a chance to put the game away in the first half. We can’t get stopped on 4th-and-inches. And we can’t put the ball on the ground on the two yard line going in to score. Two drives where we had the opportunity to break the game open and didn’t find a way to do it. We need to be able to close the deal in those situations.”
5.) Looking ahead to this week, what stands out to you on film about Virginia Tech? – “They look really good on film right now. Maybe even more than I expected since I haven’t had a chance before now to see them. They’re playing great football and I can see why their sitting in the position they’re in right now, ranked in the Top 25. Coach Fuente has brought a high-powered offense in that has made them extremely explosive. Their quarterback is somebody that can beat you with his legs and his arm. And then you have Bud Foster there dialing it up on the defense. He will make sure they are good on defense.”
BONUS: There was a strong contingent of Tar Heel fans in the stadium to witness the winning kick. What does it mean to you guys to see the Tar Heel faithful follow you guys on the road? – “It’s so awesome to see really. Our kids appreciate it so much. And then all of those fans hung out after the game and waited for the players to come out. It was like a mob scene as we left the stadium. I think our guys know that it’s not easy to follow a team on the road, so it means a lot to them to see those fans. I know I have a great appreciation for them because it’s not like this at every school. Our road following is fantastic. Then we came back here and the marching band welcomed us back on campus. There were tons of students there to greet us, and the cheerleaders were there too to add to the celebration. Our guys love it and I do too. It’s a great example of the passion and pageantry of college football and what makes this game great.”
by Jeff Greenberg, GoHeels.com
When Head Coach Larry Fedora was hired, he told Tar Heel fans not to leave their seats. He said he was bringing an exciting brand of football that they wouldn’t want to miss. Well, after the last two weeks I think UNC fans everywhere can agree with what he promised. The last two games alone have produced two of the most memorable endings in school history. First, the touchdown pass to beat Pitt with two seconds on the clock. A week later, a 54-yard field goal with no time left to beat Florida State and snap the Seminoles 22-game home win streak.
Exciting brand of football? Check. Starting the ACC at 2-0? Check. Big win for the program? Check.
1.) You had an excited, in-shock reaction to the game-winning kick. What did this win mean to you and was it one of those stepping-stone wins as you continue to build this program? – “It was really good for these kids. I don’t know if people can really understand what it’s like to go on the road in a very hostile environment against a team that has won 22 games in a row at home. Winning down there is not easy to do. To do it in the fashion that we did it, to be in control of the game, then get behind and then come back and win it in the end, it just says so much about these kids. It says a lot about what these kids are doing with our program. They’re taking this program and the culture that we want forward. They believe they can win and that they can beat anybody. They told me this was the highest ranked team we’ve beaten on the road since 1996, and only the second time since 1970. So I would agree that this is a type of win that moves the program a step further in its evolution. But the best part is seeing the players and coaches on the field after the game with such joy in their faces. It was a great win.”
2.) Every week you emphasize the work your team puts into special teams. Both teams had missed field goals, blocked kicks, a roughing the punter and the game-winning 54-yard field goal. Was this game an example of how special teams can tilt a game one way or the other? –“Absolutely. In this game special teams could have lost it for us, but fortunately it won it for us in this game. Were we clean in this game? No. There were definitely areas where we need things corrected. But it really goes back in practice to doing what we do. There is no need to reinvent ourselves. If our guys can just master what it is we want our guys to do, then we will be ok moving forward. We make it a point to practice different scenarios in the kicking game and it paid off for us this week.”
3.) Ryan Switzer now has 30 receptions in the last two games, which is an ACC record. He was also left off the early season watch lists. Does he get the national attentions he deserves as a wide receiver, and what did you think of him finishing strong in the fourth quarter? – “I think he will now. People are starting to take notice of the skills he has and the plays he is making for this team. This was a huge game for him. Mack Hollins didn’t take a single rep last week in practice. So Switz knew he would have to make plays and step up for us. He’s had a great two weeks and really just a great season up to this point. He loves playing for his teammates and he loves competing. Switz will do whatever it takes to help this team.”
4.) After having a chance to watch the film, what pleased you the most from what you saw, and what frustrated you the most? – “One thing I was pleased with was how our defense performed on third downs. We emphasized getting off of the field on third downs this week in practice. I think heading into the fourth quarter they had not yet converted a third down at that point. So for three quarters we were doing the things we wanted to do defensively. Now, yes, they made some plays, and we knew they would make some plays. But we had held them to 13 points through three quarters and no other team had done that to them. We just didn’t sustain it in the fourth quarter, so that’s what needs to be corrected. We need to finish games. But the defense is getting better each week. They’re making strides in the right direction, but they have to keep eliminating the things that keeps them from finishing the game right. On offense we felt like we left points out there. We felt like we had a chance to put the game away in the first half. We can’t get stopped on 4th-and-inches. And we can’t put the ball on the ground on the two yard line going in to score. Two drives where we had the opportunity to break the game open and didn’t find a way to do it. We need to be able to close the deal in those situations.”
5.) Looking ahead to this week, what stands out to you on film about Virginia Tech? – “They look really good on film right now. Maybe even more than I expected since I haven’t had a chance before now to see them. They’re playing great football and I can see why their sitting in the position they’re in right now, ranked in the Top 25. Coach Fuente has brought a high-powered offense in that has made them extremely explosive. Their quarterback is somebody that can beat you with his legs and his arm. And then you have Bud Foster there dialing it up on the defense. He will make sure they are good on defense.”
BONUS: There was a strong contingent of Tar Heel fans in the stadium to witness the winning kick. What does it mean to you guys to see the Tar Heel faithful follow you guys on the road? – “It’s so awesome to see really. Our kids appreciate it so much. And then all of those fans hung out after the game and waited for the players to come out. It was like a mob scene as we left the stadium. I think our guys know that it’s not easy to follow a team on the road, so it means a lot to them to see those fans. I know I have a great appreciation for them because it’s not like this at every school. Our road following is fantastic. Then we came back here and the marching band welcomed us back on campus. There were tons of students there to greet us, and the cheerleaders were there too to add to the celebration. Our guys love it and I do too. It’s a great example of the passion and pageantry of college football and what makes this game great.”
