University of North Carolina Athletics
Peach Bowl Notebook: Thursday
December 27, 2001 | Football
Dec. 27, 2001
TarHeelBlue.com is in Atlanta to bring you behind the scenes coverage of UNC's trip to the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. Keep an eye out for more updates throughout the weekend.
Tar Heels Arrive In Atlanta: UNC football players, coaches and staff all arrived in Atlanta Wednesday afternoon to prepare for the 2001 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. The entire travel party arrived safely to the Marriott Marquis in downtown Atlanta, just a few blocks away from the Georgia Dome. Game time is 7:30 p.m. on New Year's Eve and the game will be televised nationally on ESPN.
Heels Bundle Up For Practice: Carolina practiced for the first time in Atlana on Thursday morning shortly after 9 a.m. It was a clear but cold morning at the Georgia Tech practice facility - temperatures were in the low 30s when the team hit the field.
Head coach John Bunting was pleased with what he saw from his team after the holiday layoff. "Today was a good start. We want to have fun here in Atlanta, but we're also going to practice hard to beat Auburn."
Tranquill Back With Team: Offensive Coordinator Gary Tranquill, who was recently released from UNC Hospitals after undergoing surgery to remove an infection in his lung, is with the team in Atlanta. Tranquill participated in all staff and player meetings but did not join the team at practice.
"He wanted to go but we talked him out of going this morning because we knew it was going to be so cold," Bunting said. "But our staff has really joined hands and worked together to get the job done. They've worked hard to do things the way Tranquill would want them."
Allen Suspended: Junior wide receiver Bosley Allen has been suspended from the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl for violating team rules. Allen was to return home Thursday afternoon.
"We have team policies when we are on the road and we were very thorough in explaining team policies," said Bunting. "He violated team rules and is suspended for the game and we're sending him home."
Sam Aiken is expected to start in place of Allen.
ESPN Zone, Children's Hospital Highlight Thursday Social Activities: The Tar Heels were treated to lunch and video games at the ESPN Zone restaurant in Atlanta's
with a child at Egleston Children's Hospital. |
Among the highlights were Ronald Curry bowling, Adam Metts getting worn down playing video boxing and assistant coaches Dave Huxtable and James Webster testing their driving skills on one of the many racing games on the second floor of the restaurant.
A group of more than 25 players and Coach Bunting then departed for Egleston Children's Hospital to visit sick children in the area.
Players Mentioned
