Tar Heels Feeding Off Electricity, Energy of Kenan Fans

UNC head coach Larry Fedora and players were quick to point out the impact of the rowdy crowd that generated a true home-field advantage inside a striped-out Kenan Stadium Saturday night in the Tar Heels’ 31-27 comeback win over the San Diego State Aztecs.

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“I want to congratulate the crowd and our student section, the Tar Pit. That was an unbelievable atmosphere. They did a tremendous job throughout the entire game. Our guys fed off that the entire game. We needed every single person that was in those stands. With as much yelling they did, I know they’re worn out just like our guys are worn out. I really appreciate the effort they gave tonight with that atmosphere,” Coach Fedora says.

The crowd noise made an impact from the get-go with SDSU having to burn a timeout on the very first series on a big third down and eight.

And it didn’t stop there. Delay of game penalties and false starts plagued the Aztec offense all night, likely in large part thanks to the 58,000-plus strong in attendance screaming their lungs out, decked out in perfectly coordinated Carolina blue and black attire in alternating sections to achieve the impressive stripe out effect.

Even when the UNC play on the field was giving the fans little to cheer about for much of the first half, the crowd hung in there, never abandoning the cause. And they were rewarded for their loyalty.

The roars reached a crescendo following the game-clinching interception in the end zone by senior safety Tim Scott in the waning seconds of the contest. Kenan Stadium erupted.

Turnovers have been a major story to the season so far for Carolina. Through two games, the Tar Heels have already forced nine turnovers, five of them interceptions.

But a big contributor to those takeaways has to be the disruptive nature of the home fans. It’s a symbiotic relationship – the crowd feeds off the big plays by the defense, and the defense is fired up by the energy produced from the stands.

Coach Fedora says the turnovers were the difference in the ballgame.

“The defense created three takeaways. They scored one of them and took one down to the 15-yard line. That was the difference in the game. They created those turnovers,” Coach Fedora says.

Scott says he could feel the electricity in the air and credits the fans for willing the Tar Heels over the finish line.

“The crowd was amazing. They definitely beat Miami’s game last year. They were giving us energy throughout the whole game. At times, we weren’t feeding off it. We weren’t playing as good. But towards the end of the game, I felt like we were feeding off their energy, and it was getting us excited and ready to play,” Scott says.

Junior quarterback Marquise Williams, who completed 20 of 29 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns, says the 2-0 start gives the team a ton of momentum heading into the bye week followed by a shot at revenge at East Carolina Sept. 20.

“It gives us a lot [of momentum]. We’re going into a big doghouse in two weeks at ECU. It’s going to be crazy packed and be unbelievable. We aren’t going to relax on this bye week. We’re going to practice Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. A lot of guys think we should get off, but I think we should keep battling and keep going to get what we deserve,” Williams says.

But that next hurdle on the road in Greenville can wait for now.

The passion and hunger for a winner was palpable in the Tar Pit Saturday night. And what’s more, the Tar Heel faithful – students, alumni and fans – got just that – a memorable win they all had a hand in.

But the biggest positive for Coach Fedora, who has been on a crusade to ‘change the football culture’ at Carolina since he was hired in 2011, is that all those in attendance for the memorable triumph over the Aztecs were thoroughly entertained. They’ll be back