CHAPEL HILL– The Tar Heels have now concluded a week of spirited practices following the head-scratching loss to East Carolina Saturday. And now, it’s off to Blacksburg for a critical Coastal Division battle against the revitalized Virginia Tech Hokies.

And Head Coach Larry Fedora says he’s been encouraged by the way practice has been going this week.

“We’ve had two really good days of practice. Today was better than yesterday as it should be. The game plan is in so guys felt better about it. We had some good energy today with good competition,” Coach Fedora says.

With the lack of enthusiasm last week, Coach Fedora says he needs the Tar Heels to embrace the moment, just “turn it loose” and enjoy their time out on the field during game days.

“We just need to play. Just go out there and play. Turn it loose and play. We work hard Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. You better enjoy Saturday. You better go out there and turn it loose, and have a good time,” Coach Fedora says.

Defensive Coordinator Vic Koenning was still fuming at practice over the horrific play of his defense. He says the Tar Heels made the Pirates look like the Green Bay Packers last Saturday.

“All the credit needs to go to them. They looked like the Green Bay Packers, and we made that running back look like Walter Payton. There‘s probably a lot of reasons. But reasons are excuses. […] They kicked our butt on every level,” Coach Koenning says.

Koenning says this week’s preparations for Virginia Tech have been more physical than usual, saying he’s even been having his players tackle to the ground, a rarity in today’s game. Koenning says he equates his current role to an epic fist fight.

“It’s like I’m in a fist fight with whomever the heavy weight champion is every day just trying to get these guys to do the right things and do it as fast and hard as they can,” Coach Koenning says.

Senior safety Tre Boston has been tossing in a few missed tackles himself in the last couple contests. However, Boston says he’s motivated to correct those mistakes and wants everyone to know that the season is not yet over for the Tar Heels.

“I guess people tend to think that this is over for us. The Coastal [division race] is all in front of us. It’s what we make out of it. We had to change that mentality around Sunday. You can’t let a team beat you twice,” Boston says.

We’ll begin to see if Boston and the Tar Heels have turned the corner this weekend.

UNC kick things off in Blacksburg Saturday at 12:30 p.m. And WCHL will get your game day morning started off right with Countdown to Kickoff beginning at 9 a.m.

Related Stories
‹
Hokies Passing Offense Downs Tar Heels, 27-17
UNC played better, but the results were painfully similar as the Tar Heels fell to the Virginia Tech Hokies 27-17 Saturday in an ACC clash at Lane Stadium.
Coach Fedora Defends Philosophy,Braces for Hokies with "Mojo"
That’s not going to change. It’s not going to waver,” Coach Fedora says.
UNC Defense Looking to Limit Big Plays Against No. 14 Virginia Tech
The offensive struggles for the UNC football team have been well-documented during the team’s 1-6 start this season, but it’s the defense’s biggest problem area that could doom the Tar Heels this week in Blacksburg against No. 14 Virginia Tech. While it’s obvious that UNC will have to find a way to score points no […]
No. 25 Virginia Tech Storms Past No. 17 UNC for 34-3 Blowout Win
On its way to a 4-1 start in 2016, the No. 17 UNC football team has relied on its highly-explosive offense to make up for a defense that’s struggled to keep opponents off the scoreboard. Playing in the midst of Hurricane Matthew, however, the Tar Heels couldn’t even light a spark on Saturday—as the No. […]
UNC Refuses to Overlook Virginia Tech in Top-25 Matchup This Weekend
Virginia Tech right guard Augie Conte made headlines earlier this week when he said he felt the UNC football team—ranked No. 17–would overlook the No. 25 Hokies in their top 25 matchup this weekend at Kenan Stadium. Make no mistake, though, Tar Heel head coach Larry Fedora recognizes the threat the Hokies present—especially with the […]
UNC Football Clinches Coastal Division In OT Thriller At Virginia Tech
It certainly wasn’t the prettiest game the UNC football team has played this year, but after letting a 14-point lead disintegrate in the final three minutes of regulation the 17th ranked Tar Heels were able to escape Blacksburg on Saturday with a 30-27 overtime victory over the Virginia Tech Hokies–keeping their playoff hopes intact. “That’s why […]
Stakes Through the Roof For UNC Football Against Virginia Tech
One win. That’s all it will take for the No. 12 ranked UNC football team to clinch the ACC Coastal Division and continue its dream season. Standing in front of them? A date in Blacksburg against the Virginia Tech Hokies–in what will be the final home game for their legendary head coach, Frank Beamer. Blowout […]
Hokies Thump Tar Heels 34-17
The North Carolina football team was unable to get its offense going in a 34-17 loss to Virginia Tech Saturday afternoon at Kenan Stadium, dropping to 2-3 on the season.
Virginia Tech, UNC Look To Stay Alive In ACC Coastal
The North Carolina football team, 2-2 on the season, will return home to Chapel Hill on Saturday to host a pivotal ACC Coastal matchup against 3-2 Virginia Tech.
Scouting Report: A Chat with VT Coach Frank Beamer
WCHL’s Matt Oakes caught up with legendary Virginia Tech head football coach Frank Beamer this week. The two discussed the competitiveness and depth in the ACC,  how to replace injured Hokie freshman running back Shai McKenzie and of course, previewed what Coach Beamer is calling a ‘must-win matchup’ with UNC this weekend. ***Listen to the […]
›