University of North Carolina Athletics
October 22, 2000 | Football
Oct. 22, 2000
"It was a hard game to lose. I want to compliment Coach Bowden and his staff. I hope (Woody) Dantzler is ok. It's a shame for a young man who's had the type of year he has to get hurt. He's got a chance to put up some numbers the NCAA's never seen before, so hopefully he'll be well again.
"Clemson obviously believes in itself. I knew at 17-0 the game was far from being over, because there was a lot of playing time left.
"We went into the game believing we could win. We played hard every snap. We made some plays we needed to make early in the game, but late in the game we had a couple of plays on balls in the air that we were not able to make. Not because we weren't there, but because they were able to make the play and we weren't.
"I thought our offensive and defensive coaches had good game plans. We were able to execute early but not late in the game.
"I really respect and appreciate Ronald Curry's courage. When he was hurt, I was really shocked to see him play in the second half. He's a hard worker who will do anything to try to help us win a football game.
"We felt like we had to stop their running game, but they were able to go over the top with their passing game. They jumped higher than we did and brought the ball down.
"Simmons did a good job. I knew coming in that he's a good football player.
"We've had an opportunity to win the last three weeks, but haven't gotten it done. I am excited about the last four weeks.
"We have a chance to end up with a good season, but we're about to run out of those second chances. Next week is very important to us."
