University of North Carolina Athletics
Gameday Central: Wisconsin
September 17, 2005 | Football
Sept. 17, 2005
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Tar Heels Look to Rebound in Home Opener
A week after losing at No. 17 Georgia Tech, North Carolina returns to Chapel Hill for its home opener against Wisconsin on Saturday, Sept. 17. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN2 with kickoff slated for 7 p.m. Last week, Carolina fought valiantly until the final seconds, but gave up 475 total yards of offense and fell to the Yellow Jackets in Atlanta, 27-21. Meanwhile, Wisconsin whipped Temple, 65-0. It was the second straight game the Badgers had posted more than 55 points. Wisconsin is second in the nation in scoring offense, averaging 60.5 points per contest.
This is the Tar Heels latest home opener since the 2001 season when Carolina began the year with three consecutive road losses, before knocking off Florida State in Chapel Hill on September 22.
Carolina is 2-2 in home openers under John Bunting, beating FSU in 2001 and William & Mary in 2004. In 2002, Carolina lost its first home game to Miami (Ohio) and in 2003, it lost to Florida State.
Carolina to Collect Donations for Red Cross at Wisconsin Game
University of North Carolina student-athletes and campus volunteers will be collecting monetary donations on behalf of the Red Cross to give to those affected in the Gulf Coast region by Hurricane Katrina at Saturday's football game against Wisconsin. Collections will occur at all gates from pregame through the first quarter.
Members of the North Carolina football program have already donated more than $10,000 to the Red Cross. Last week, Tar Heel football players donated approximately $3,500, a figure that was matched by Head Coach John Bunting. Players donated their game day per diem and made cash donations. Carolina's football staff contributed another $3,300 and approximately 40 boxes of supplies and clothing were sent to the LSU Athletic Department to be distributed throughout the region.
"I'm really pleased with what our kids did and it shows you the kind of people we have in our program," said Bunting. "I'm excited that we'll be doing something this weekend at the game. I'm hopeful that all of our fans will participate in a very big way. This is an on-going situation and and we've got to do whatever we can to help those people."
Freshmen Debuts
Series Notes vs. Wisconsin
Hunter graduated from Northwestern in 1982 and lettered one season for the Wildcats in 1978. He was the offensive coordinator for two years at Indiana (2000-01) where he coached Big Ten Player of the Year Antwaan Randle El. Hunter directed the Hoosiers to two of their most successful offensive seasons ever. Hunter coaches the offensive line at Carolina. Lawing coached four seasons in East Lansing as the Spartans' defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator. During his tenure (1999-2002), Michigan State twice led the Big Ten in total defense. Lawing is in his third year at North Carolina as the defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator. Powell, UNC's running backs coach and special teams coordinator, lettered twice at Indiana as a fullback in 1987 and 1988. He competed on two bowl teams at IU and was the lead blocker for 1,000-yard rusher Anthony Thompson. Powell served two years as a graduate assistant at Indiana following graduation.
Thigpen was hired from Illinois where he coached for two years and had been asked to remain on Ron Zook's Illini staff. He was the cornerbacks coach in 2003 and the linebackers coach in 2004.
Tranquill was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Nick Saban's Michigan State Spartans from 1995-98. He also was an assistant under legendary Ohio State coach Woody Hayes in 1977 and 1978. Tranquill is in his fifth year as Carolina's offensive coordinator and quarterback coach.
