CHAPEL HILL – UNC head football coach, Larry Fedora, says South Carolina’s Heisman hopeful Jadeveon Clowney is something to worry about as kickoff inches closer–now less than three weeks away.

“I’d be worried if it was our five offensive linemen going against just him,” Coach Fedora says. “You know, yeah, I’d be worried. He’s a great player. And we know that.”

However, Coach Fedora was quick to point out that the team has still yet to turn all of their attention to their nationally televised kickoff in Columbia.

But ultimately, he says one of the most intriguing head-to-head matchups in the upcoming season opener against the Gamecocks will be Tar Heel offensive lineman James Hurst against the leading defender, Clowney.

“I would imagine however many millions of people that are going to turn that TV on, it ought to be a pretty fun situation for them because 68 is a good player,” Coach Fedora says.

Coach Fedora says one of the primary focuses of preseason training camp is pushing players to their limits, to go further than they ever though was possible.

“When you’re pushing them higher and farther than they think they can go, they get frustrated, and you try to push them through that frustration and even farther,” Coach Fedora says. “Especially when they are frustrated – that is when you really want to push them.”

He says he demands a lot from his team, maintaining extremely high expectations for all his players, specifically talented Carolina tight end Eric Ebron.

“I still think we have a long way to go,” Coach Fedora says. “You know, he hasn’t arrived, that’s for sure. But he can make those plays for us.”

Progressing along in their preseason preparations, the Heels conducted their first full scrimmage last weekend. Coach Fedora says he thought many Tar Heels were “tight.” And he added that it is in those situations that the little mistakes “become glaring.”

Kickoff between North Carolina and South Carolina is August 29 in Columbia.

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