University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Set To Battle Terps
November 2, 2002 | Football
Nov. 2, 2002
Still seeking its first conference win and first win at home, North Carolina faces Maryland today at Kenan Stadium at 1:35 p.m. The game will not be televised.
Carolina is coming off a 31-0 loss at Wake Forest last Saturday, while the Terrapins have won five in a row, including last week's 45-12 victory at Duke.
North Carolina has lost three consecutive games for the first time since beginning the 2001 season 0-3. The Tar Heels have not lost four consecutive games since the 1999 season when UNC lost seven straight.
While disappointed about the results, head coach John Bunting remains optimistic about the future of Carolina's football program.
"We're still building the foundation that I talked about last year," Bunting says. "We're not getting the results that we want with wins and losses right now, but there are things that are happening each week in each game that are very positive."
unting specifically pointed out the play of Carolina's offensive line and several younger players who are making progress each week.
"A lot of good things happened out there on the field. Our offensive line played well. There were some holes that were created for the run game, particularly in the first half. C.J. Stephens played well in his first start. Doug Justice got better. Chase Page got better.
"There's a whole bunch of good things that are happening. Unfortunately, we're not winning. That takes its toll on the coaching staff and the players. Right now I'm looking forward to Maryland. We will battle, this team will battle and this whole building will stay in the battle and fight for one another."
Stephens will make his second career start this week against Maryland after throwing for 221 yards against the Demon Deacons. Stephens was a bright spot for the Tar Heels who failed to score for the first time since a 13-0 loss at Florida State in 1996.
CHANGES IN THE LINEUP:
Due to a rash of injuries this season, particularly along the defensive line, Carolina head coach John Bunting continues to shuffle his lineup. Three players who were expected to start on the defensive line this season - Will Chapman, Eric Davis and Issac Mooring - have missed significant time this year and Chapman and Davis are out for the season. Davis was lost for the year with an ACL knee injury in the season opener against Miami (Ohio), Chapman broke his wrist against Virginia and Mooring, who missed four games with a broken hand, returned last week at Wake Forest. Junior defensive end Donti Coats has played sparingly all season because of an ankle injury and defensive end Jermicus Banks has missed the last two games (UVa, Wake) with an ankle sprain. In an effort to provide depth along a thin defensive line, Bunting moved starting fullback Madison Hedgecock to defensive end. Hedgecock made five tackles against Wake in his first game at end.
Only four players on defense have started every game at the same position.
In the last two weeks, Carolina has introduced four new starters on offense, including quarterback C.J. Stephens, true freshman offensive guard Kyle Ralph, fullback James Faison and redshirt freshman offensive guard Steven Bell.
Stephens replaced record-setting quarterback Darian Durant, who was lost for the season with a broken thumb at Virginia. A concussion to offensive tackle Willie McNeill the week of the Wake Forest game precipitated the change along the offensive line. Skip Seagraves moved from right tackle to left tackle, while starting right guard Jeb Terry moved to right tackle. Ralph started at right guard and Bell replaced junior Jupiter Wilson at left guard. Only four players on offense have started every game at the same position.
TAR HEELS PLAY TOUGH SCHEDULE:
According to the latest Sagarin rankings, Carolina has played the fourth-most difficult schedule in the country. Only FSU's schedule (ranked second) is tougher among ACC schools. The combined record for Carolina's opponents this season is 41-18, a percentage of .695.
UNC-MARYLAND NOTES:
