University of North Carolina Athletics
2002 Football Schedule Released
January 18, 2002 | Football
Jan. 18, 2002
CHAPEL HILL, N.C.--The Atlantic Coast Conference released the 2002 football schedule on Friday and for the second consecutive season, the Tar Heels will play 12 regular-season games. Carolina's home schedule features Miami (OH), Texas, Georgia Tech, NC State, Maryland and Clemson. The Tar Heels travel to Syracuse, Arizona State, Virginia, Wake Forest, Florida State and Duke.
"We're excited about such a challenging schedule," said UNC head coach John Bunting. "In addition to the ACC games, this is the kind of non-conference schedule we want to play each year. It will be exciting for our players and fans."
Carolina opens the season with Miami (OH), a team that defeated UNC, 13-10, in the 1998 season opener. The following week Carolina travels to Syracuse before returning to Chapel Hill for a home game against Texas. Syracuse finished 10-3 last year and was ranked 14th in both the Associated Press and Coaches' Top 25 polls. Texas, led by former Tar Heel head coach Mack Brown, won the Big 12 South title last year and finished fifth in the country in both polls.
Following an open week on Sept. 21, the Tar Heels play nine consecutive weeks, beginning with its conference opener against Georgia Tech on Sept. 28. On October 5, Carolina travels to Arizona State. The Tar Heels and Sun Devils have never met in the regular season. UNC lost to ASU, 48-26, in the 1970 Peach Bowl. Head coach John Bunting played linebacker for the Tar Heels in that game.
Carolina plays in-state rival NC State on Oct. 12 at Kenan Stadium, followed by road games at Virginia (Oct. 19) and at Wake Forest (Oct. 26). After home games vs. Maryland (Nov. 2) and Clemson (Nov. 9), UNC closes the year with consecutive road contests at Florida State (Nov. 16) and at Duke (Nov. 23).
Seven of UNC's 12 opponents played in bowl games last year. Syracuse, Texas, Georgia Tech, Clemson and Florida State all won their bowl games following the 2001 season.
Day Date Team Location Saturday Aug. 31 Miami (OH) Chapel Hill Saturday Sept. 7 Syracuse Syracuse, N.Y. Saturday Sept. 14 Texas Chapel Hill Saturday Sept. 28 Georgia Tech Chapel Hill Saturday Oct. 5 Arizona State Tempe, Ariz. Saturday Oct. 12 NC State Chapel Hill Saturday Oct. 19 Virginia Charlottesville, Va. Saturday Oct. 26 Wake Forest Winston-Salem, N.C. Saturday Nov. 2 Maryland Chapel Hill, N.C. Saturday Nov. 9 Clemson Chapel Hill, N.C. Saturday Nov. 16 Florida State Tallahasse, Fla. Saturday Nov. 23 Duke Durham, N.C.
