Fighting Fedora, Williams Eyeing Strong Football Finish

The 5-5 UNC football team has seen its fair share of adversity in a season that once again, hasn’t met expectations.

But through it all, the Tar Heels have continued to display a fighting spirit that filters down from two of their leaders – head coach Larry Fedora and signal caller Marquise Williams.

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Coach Fedora says he has the utmost confidence in his players to keep battling, even in the crucible of a fourth quarter deficit.

“Our guys don’t panic. They really don’t. After the Georgia Tech game, it was the same situation. You looked at them and nobody was in a bog hurry or worried. They just played,” Coach Fedora says.

The unflappable Tar Heels have trailed in almost every game this season and have surrendered an ACC worst number of points to opposing teams, but somehow, some way, Carolina remains at a respectable 5-5 mark on the season.

Heart isn’t always easy to measure in an athlete, but Coach Fedora and for that matter, any other UNC football observer must wonder if junior quarterback Marquise Williams has an extra heart beating inside his chest somewhere.

Williams, the ACC Offensive Back of the Week yet again, has led the Tar Heels to final drive victories now in two huge home contests.

Thrilling victories against 9-2 Georgia Tech and 4-6 Pittsburgh have kept UNC’s bowl hopes alive, and the MVP of both of those games was no doubt Williams.

Williams says he’ll do anything, including sacrificing his body against big, bruising linebackers, in order to secure victory for his teammates.

“Me one-on-one with the linebacker – I like my chances. I felt confident. I feel like no one man is going to bring me down. That’s how I think when I run the football. I wanted to put the team on my back and let them know, ‘Hey, I’m in this for ya’ll,’” Williams says.

Another example of perseverance for the Tar Heels comes in the form of wide receiver Quinshad Davis. Davis has battled injuries all season, but came up with a few key grabs in the Pitt game last weekend.

Coach Fedora says he never has to worry about Davis on Saturdays.

“For Quinshad [Davis], anytime you go to him, he’s going to make a play. He’s fighting, scratching and clawing just trying to get in that end zone. He’s always going to come through,” Coach Fedora says.

Maybe Coach Fedora could learn a thing or two from Williams on how to stay calm on the sidelines? The Carolina skipper says his quarterback is always under control these days.

“I get a lot more frustrated than he does. He stays pretty calm and collected. He’s busy encouraging guys, talking things through and talking to the O-line and the receivers. You don’t see a whole lot of frustration on his part,” Coach Fedora says.

The finish line is in sight now. With two rivalry games against Duke this Thursday night at Wallace Wade Stadium and a home tilt against the Wolfpack the following Saturday, UNC will surely be hungry to put an exclamation point on 2014 and secure a spot in the postseason.

But Coach Fedora says the Tar Heels don’t care who their opponents are coming up and says the team isn’t talking bowl scenarios just yet.

“I’ll be honest; we haven’t even talked about a bowl game. I don’t have any doubt that our team is going to prepare and be ready to play on Thursday. I believe that and don’t worry about that. We plan on being in a bowl game, but I don’t know if it matters who we play,” Coach Fedora says.

The fighting, comeback Tar Heels will certainly need plenty of perseverance Thursday night when they head into enemy territory looking to bring the Victory Bell back to Chapel Hill.