Having finally snapped a losing streak that spanned nearly two months, the UNC football team is looking to end its season on a high note with a victory over the rival NC State Wolfpack this Saturday at Kenan Stadium.
Only twice since 1989 have the Tar Heels failed to win at least three games in a year, but without an upset victory over the Wolfpack this weekend head coach Larry Fedora and company would match that feat.
After a trying season that’s seen UNC find ways to blow numerous games in the fourth quarter, it’d be understandable if the team had given up on one another.
UNC will be trying to avoid becoming just the third Tar Heel team since 1989 to win less than three games. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
All year long, though, the senior leadership has been readily apparent and the Tar Heels have refused to throw in the towel because of it.
Some of that hard work paid off last week as UNC was able to re-learn what victory tasted like—even if it was against a less talented opponent.
With a chance to do it again this week against one of their most hated rivals, the Tar Heels will be hoping to give their seniors the send-off Fedora feels they deserve.
“I’ll miss every one of those guys,” Fedora said, of his seniors, during his weekly press conference on Monday. “I love what they’ve done. I love the way they’ve approached this season. And the way they’ve led.
“They’re all gonna be better because of it,” the coach added.
Make no mistake, though, the Wolfpack are not about to let UNC have anything easy. NC State has spent time ranked as high as No. 12 in the country this year and is looking for its third consecutive victory in the rivalry.
Quarterback Ryan Finley appears to be well on his way to playing on Sundays next year, and his top two receivers—Kelvin Harmon and Jakobi Myers—have been nightmares for opposing teams all year long. The duo has combined for a whopping 141 catches, 1,819 yards and nine touchdowns this season.
Then you factor in a UNC defense which has allowed an average of 450 total yards per game to this point, and all signs point to an uphill battle for the Tar Heels on Saturday.
NC State quarterback Ryan Finley has made a habit out of torching opposing defenses this season. (AP Photo)
“They’ve got good receivers, and obviously they’ve got a really good quarterback who can throw the ball and has had success against everybody,” Fedora said. “So it’s a challenge. It’s definitely a challenge.”
What the numbers won’t show is the old cliché that typically accompanies these kinds of games. When two rivals meet, you can throw the record books out the window.
Moments in big games like this are what fans hold onto forever.
For example, how many folks remember much about the 2012 season besides Giovani Bernard’s epic punt return touchdown that beat NC State in the closing seconds? Probably not too many.
That same logic will apply to this year’s team if they can pull off the upset.
A final record of 3-8 doesn’t do too much to inspire confidence in a fan base, but if it includes a win over a Wolfpack team that’s had considerable hype this season—maybe, just maybe, that could change.
“Anytime you win a rivalry game, it’s a big deal,” Fedora said. “It’s a lot of fun. And it’s a great rivalry. It’s a school that’s a few miles down the road. Fans are interacting every day. So it’s always fun to play in this game.
“But it’s more fun when you win it, I can tell you.”
Cover photo via Gerry Broome (Associated Press)
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