CHAPEL HILL—The Tar Heels finally get a chance to kick off their ACC slate against the formidable Yellow Jackets of Georgia Tech Saturday. And with ample opportunity to prepare these last two weeks, the coaching staff is ready for some live action. Coach Fedora even calls the game the ‘ultimate measuring stick.’

Defensive Coordinator Vic Koenning says he tries to instill some fight and toughness in his defense, but in the end, the players have to want it the most.

“You like to take your heart, your knowledge, your focus, and everything you want as a coach and put it in some of them. And you can’t really do that. You can’t want it more than they want it,” Coach Koenning says.

Koenning says Saturday’s contest will come down to a battle of wills. Which team will sacrifice more to get the win? Koenning even quotes some Scripture when characterizing the showdown.

“In the Book of John in the Bible, 8:32, basically says the truth will set you free. On Saturday at twelve, the truth is going to be the truth. Do we want it enough? Are we willing to fly around and get off the ground and put our bodies in there?” Koenning asks.

Koenning says one of the scariest propositions for the Tar Heel defense this weekend will be containing standout Georgia Tech quarterback Vad Lee. His versatile play running the option and throwing the ball down the field presents major problems.

Head Coach Larry Fedora says despite the thorough and sound preparations made by his team, he can never really predict how his squad will fare on game day. It’s up to the players, after all.

“I’ve been doing this for a long time. I wish I could say that you know, but you never know. You really don’t. You work extremely hard during the week; you prepare them, and give them everything you possibly have. And then it comes down to the last day of a personal plan then,” Coach Fedora says.

For Tar Heel fans, let’s hope those “personal plans” include emerging with a win against a conference rival on Saturday.

Related Stories
‹
Hood Spearheads Dominant Offensive Output as No. 21 UNC Rolls Past Georgia Tech
Entering Saturday’s ACC Coastal Division matchup against Georgia Tech and its triple option scheme, the UNC football team knew it would have to execute its plays without giving up precious opportunities. From the first possession on, though, it was clear that the Tar Heel offense had everything working—dominating the Yellow Jackets on the way to […]
UNC Football Ready For Its Annual Triple Option Exam Against Georgia Tech
Each year, the UNC football team is scheduled to play one game that’s never like the others—a flashback to a time when leather helmets were in and facemasks were out. That time is now in 2016, as the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets bring their old-school triple option offense to Chapel Hill this Saturday for a […]
UNC Football Preview: Georgia Tech's Triple Option Always a Test
For the first time during Head Coach Larry Fedora’s four-year tenure, the UNC Football team is 3-1 after its first four games. This week the Tar Heels take on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in Atlanta—a place they have not won since 1997. To come away with the victory, UNC will have to show improvement […]
Tar Heels Thwart Yellow Jackets 48-43
The North Carolina football team used T.J. Logan's game-winning touchdown dive with 11 seconds to play to get past Georgia Tech 48-43 in Kenan Stadium Saturday night and improve to 3-4 overall and 1-2 in the ACC.
Tar Heels Look To Avoid Habitual Yellow Jacket Sting
The 2-4 North Carolina football team will welcome 5-1 Georgia Tech to Chapel Hill this weekend for a 7 p.m. kickoff Saturday under the lights at Kenan Stadium.
Scouting Report: A Chat With GT Coach Paul Johnson
WCHL's Matt Oakes caught up with Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket head coach Paul Johnson to discuss the state of GT football, the parity in the ACC, the triple-option offense and his matchup with the Tar Heels this weekend in Chapel Hill.
UNC Football Turning the Corner À La 2013?
UNC football head coach Larry Fedora is comparing the Tar Heels’ tough 50-43 loss at Notre Dame on Saturday to last season’s 27-23 defeat to Miami in Chapel Hill.
Coach Fedora: Offense Has No Flow
A unit that has long been touted as explosive and dynamic has now been called in to question off the heels of a loss in the ACC opener.
UNC Offense Stalls, GT Comes Back For 28-20 Win
Coach Fedora said.
'Ultimate Measuring Stick': UNC Coaches Ready for Game Time
Defensive Coordinator Vic Koenning says he tries to instill some fight and toughness in his defense, but in the end, the players have to want it the most.
›