University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina Post-game Quotes
November 23, 2002 | Football
John Bunting Quotes
"I talked to the team earlier about a 60 minute game and it came down to the last four seconds - a two minute drill run by our quarterback to the best of his ability and everybody out there executing and making plays. And then the kicker coming up with the kick of his life."
On Dan Orner's 47-yard field goal:
"He kept playing and that is one thing you can say about this football team. Despite a difficult season and a lot of painful losses the kids have hung in there and played each game."
On the close score of the game:
"They were able to run the football a little bit. We were able to play some of our best defensive plays this year. We gave up a couple of big ones that really hurt us, but basically the kids played real hard on defense. What can you say about the quarterback?"
"Darian Durant is very special as we all know and it's great having him on this team and see him out there battling like he did today."
On the importance of this win
"It is going to be good luck 13. 13 times in a row we have been able to beat Duke ... but we have a lot of work to do this off season including next week with recruiting."
"I got an awful lot of strength from the fan support out there all season long and they are here today again. I feel so good about the way they feel about this team and our football program. It has really kept us all going."
"I also want to thank the seniors for having a great last game. I'll miss each one of those kids. They did a great job hanging in there through some tough times this year."
On Sam Aiken
"What a great season he had. Just a few shy of 1000 (yards) and he played his heart out again today. He is a very special person first and a very great football player."
UNC Player Quotes
Sam Aiken
On his 10-yard reception late in the fourth quarter
"Darian Durant looked at me - the (defensive back) came up like he was going to play press so I gave him an outside release and I came back in and he hit me right on the money."
"When I was on the sideline I said, 'Big time players make big time plays,' and that's what we did."
On his spectacular season
"It's great. It's like a new trend that I can start so the younger receivers can follow right behind me."
Dan Orner
"I thought, 'Here is a chance to redeem yourself. This is what you live for - what it's all about.' John Lafferty just kept saying to me, 'This is what you live for.'
On his 47-yard game winning field goal:
"I didn't hit it very well, but I was just trying to keep my head down on it as much as possible. I stayed with all of my fundamentals and John Lafferty just kept saying to me, 'Keep your head down and see the ball.' I hit it straight - I didn't hit it that good, but I knew I was going to have the leg enough and it just came right down the middle. It is just a dream come true."
"That was all for the seniors, the coaching staff and everybody who support us. Thank you."
