University of North Carolina Athletics
Heels Out To End Home Woes
October 31, 2002 | Football
Oct. 31, 2002
By David Droschak
Associated Press
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- After a rough few weeks, John Bunting was looking for a pick-me-up, any bit of good news to keep his spirits high.
He had to laugh when he opened a piece of mail from his former coach, Bill Dooley.
Dooley, never one for excess words, went straight to the point in his note to the North Carolina coach.
"You know what it takes, you know how to do it, just do it," the note said.
The letter made Bunting think back to the late 1960s and early '70s when Dooley was building the North Carolina program from scratch, and how young players like Bunting became stars of an ACC championship team.
unting believes the Tar Heels (2-6, 0-4) of 2002 are similar to the early Dooley teams. This year's squad has 84 freshmen or sophomores.
"There is no loss of energy or focus or concentration on this staff," Bunting said Tuesday coming off a 31-0 weekend loss at Wake Forest. "We are gung-ho about putting together this week's plan.
"We're not going to revolutionize our defense or our offense. That is not possible. We're not going to be able to put in Wake Forest's offense this week. It's a dandy, but they also have some tough players over there. But we do want our players to continue to grow. That's my main emphasis with them. You can go one of two ways in this situation. You can get better or you can get worse. I expect better."
After beating a good Arizona State team 38-35 on Oct. 5 to improve to 2-3, the Tar Heels have suffered several key injuries and losses to No. 10 North Carolina State, Virginia and the Demon Deacons.
North Carolina must sweep its final four games to remain bowl eligible. Few expect that to happen without starting quarterback Darian Durant (broken thumb) and top defensive lineman Will Chapman (broken wrist), and Bunting playing a host of younger players.
At one point in Saturday's 31-point loss, nine defensive players on the field had not played on that side of the ball until this season.
Still, Bunting is far from giving up on 2002.
unting said he would like to see some of the benched veterans fight their way back into the lineup for closing games against Maryland, Clemson, Florida State and Duke.
"A lot of this game is about being mentally tough," Bunting said. "That means you not only have to overcome losses but you've got to overcome poor play. I certainly haven't played well all my life. I've gotten benched a number of times. You've got to come back when you get another opportunity and go out there and play. That's happened to Hall of Famers."
North Carolina's starting front seven now includes four freshmen and two sophomores.
Chase Page is one of those second-year players who had not played defense before this season. However, Page said he wouldn't trade this year's experience and guarantees the Tar Heels will be back in bowl contention in 2003.
"I am glad I got thrown into the mix," Page said. "That's how you learn. That's how you get better. Next year, I'm going to be that much more of a help to the defense."
Page is trying to take a leadership role on defense by reminding players there is still work to be done this season.
"Everybody is already saying, "We're going to be good next year,"' Page said. "But we've got to still focus on this year and try to end on a positive note and do something nobody believes we can do.
"Staying positive is our biggest challenge," he added. "We have to get work done in practice. We can't just mope around and go through the motions. We have to get a little confidence back."
