University of North Carolina Athletics
Five With Fedora: Georgia Tech Game
November 7, 2016 | Football
by Jeff Greenberg
"I really think we're playing our best ball right now." Those were the words of head coach Larry Fedora after his Tar Heels defeated Georgia Tech in dominating fashion, 48-20. Both the offense and the defense made plays throughout the game to put away a usually problematic opponent in Georgia Tech. The offense enjoyed great balance in managing to put up a season-high in rushing, led by Elijah Hood's big day. The defense held the Yellow Jackets to three points in the second half and the special teams unit blocked a first-half field goal that seemed to swing the momentum to the Tar Heels for good. Coach Fedora talked about the big win and looks ahead to Thursday night's big game in Durham against Duke.
1. When your guys blocked that field goal in the first half the entire sideline erupted. You could tell they knew it was a huge moment. Was that something you guys talked about last week leading into the game? - "We had talked all week about the defense finding a way to steal some possessions for us against Georgia Tech. We weren't even talking about turnovers with that either. We were talking about stopping them on fourth downs or blocking a field goal. And we got that. The guys were excited because we knew if the defense stole those possessions and gave our offense some more chances that we could score points and win this game. It was one of our keys to victory and the reaction you saw was really our guys knowing we had just accomplished one of those keys. It means our guys are focused in dialed in to what we were saying all week."
2. The defense seemed to be very balanced in terms of how many different guys were making plays throughout the game. Did it look that way on film? - "Actually, we haven't looked at the film at all. I would agree with you from what I remember seeing during the game, and I know we held them to 20 points, but none of us have reviewed the film. We probably won't watch it until a later time. After the game, once our families left, the coaches bunkered down at the office and got started on Duke. We've been working on Duke all day and creating our game plan. The short week presents different scheduling challenges and this is really just the way we've done it before and felt like it works for us. We celebrated after the game in the locker room and told the guys to enjoy it, but it was time to look to Duke and get ready to tackle the short week in the best way we know how. Duke is a dangerous team. They could easily have won these close games they lost. It really has come down to one or two plays in those games, and if they went they other way Duke would have won. They're well-coached and they're playing hard. Our guys have to match that and surpass that effort and energy on the road Thursday night."
3. You said your team is playing its best ball right now. What are they doing so well in your mind? - "First of all, all phases are clicking right now. Our defense has only allowed around 15 points a game over the last few weeks which is just really solid. They way we play when the defense limits the scoring like this really makes us hard to beat. If they continue to do that and we take care of the ball on offense we will be in position to win our games. Our offense has really done a great job of taking care of business when they don't turn the ball over. I really like where our guys' heads are at in terms of focusing on the keys that help the team win. They're not focused on individual stuff. They're focused on how their individual jobs help the team accomplish those keys to victory. That's what you want as a coach."
4. After having to take special times throughout the spring and fall camp to prep for an offense like Georgia Tech's, is it a relief when it's over and you can get back to focusing on "normal" offenses? - "Without a doubt. It definitely is to me. It's kind of like my final exams in college. I didn't always know how I did on them or know what grade I got, but I was just so glad they were over and behind me (laughing)."
5. Speaking of college, you had a large number of former college teammates in town for this game. What's that time and fellowship mean to you? - "Yes, we had around 17 guys in town that I played football with in college. It's pretty cool. You know it's something we talk about with our guys all the time. When you make a decision to come play here it really is a lifetime decision. We tell them about how they'll have a good-sized group of guys on this team that will be their closest friends for the rest of their lives. I'm fortunate in that same way and have some really close friends that I played with and they all try to make it in for one game every season. One of our guys flies everybody in and they have a great time. I get to visit with them for little while and it's time that I cherish. Unfortunately, I'm the one who has to work during the whole thing but I'm grateful that they take that time out of their lives to come see us. Honestly, if they didn't come here I don't know if I'd ever get to see them. Our lifestyle in this coaching business really limits our time for those things. I'm lucky they all get together to see us every year."
