After watching West Virginia receiver Alric Arnett catch the game-winning 20-yard touchdown pass from Pat White in the fourth quarter of the Meineke Car Care Bowl last December, head coach Butch Davis did not disappear into the darkness of the Tar Heel locker room a beaten man.
Instead, he quickly addressed the media with a smile on his face.
“There is absolutely no way a program goes to the summit instantly,” Davis said. “Everything is a dress rehearsal for future things to come. There are no insignificant experiences.”
Dress rehearsal is coming to a close for the Tar Heels as they continue summer workouts in preparation for what many believe to be the most talented and athletic team North Carolina has had in years.
Sporting a newly renovated Kenan Football Center with an extra level, new suites and expanded space for day-to-day operations, UNC is expected to suit up a team that could be playing for an ACC Championship in December.
Offensively, the Tar Heels will have to fill the holes left by wide receivers Hakeem Nicks, Brandon Tate and Brooks Foster, who all went in the NFL draft.
Quarterback T.J. Yates is returning, and although he started six games in 2008 and completed 60 percent of his passes with only 4 interceptions, he will have to find new targets in freshmen wide receivers Jhay Boyd and Josh Adams, and junior receiver Greg Little.
Replacing Nicks — the Giants’ first round pick — won’t be easy, but the biggest offensive question UNC must answer is their running game, and more specifically, if Shaun Draughn can hold on to the football.
Going into the 2009 season, North Carolina’s biggest asset is its defense, especially the front seven. The Tar Heels lost only two starters from last season.
Linebacker Quan Sturdivant led the team last year with 122 tackles. Sacks leader Bruce Carter is expected to lead the defense along with future NFL draftee Marvin Austin at defensive tackle.
On the field, the Tar Heels have three key games that will decide the success of their season. The first challenge of the 2009 will be September 26 against Georgia Tech.
The second test will come in Blacksburg, Va. on October 29. UNC has yet to beat Virginia Tech since the Hokies joined the ACC in 2004.
Team name: North Carolina Tar Heels
Head coach: Butch Davis
Conference: ACC
2008 record: 8-5, 4-4 ACC
Players to watch:
- T.J. Yates – Junior – QB
2008: 1168 passing/60% completion/11 touchdowns/4 interceptions/153.6 rating
Yates will carry the load but without standout receiver Hakeem Nicks, Yates needs young receivers and a reliable running game.
- Quan Sturdivant – Junior – LB
2008: 122 tackles
Sturdivant lead the Tar Heels in tackles last season, and led the nation with 87 unassisted tackles. The junior is a strong presence on the outside.
Game to watch: Oct. 29 at Virginia Tech
A Tarheel upset over the Hokies in Blacksburg would be huge for Butch Davis’ team, not only for national reputation but for a chance at an ACC title.
The Word on UNC: In a wide-open ACC, the Tar Heels football team might join the basketball team as conference champs.
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