July 29, 2004

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2004 UNC Football Preview

The Tar Heels finished 2-10 overall and ninth in the ACC with a 1-7 league mark in 2003. Four of the losses were by eight points or less, including two by two points. The Sagarin Computer rated UNC's schedule as the nation's 11th-toughest. A total of 12 true freshmen played in 2003. UNC has used a different starting lineup on defense in 23 of the last 24 games, dating back to the start of the 2002 season.

Twenty-five lettermen, including eight starters, return from an offensive unit that averaged 394.3 yards per game in 2003 -- the most by a Tar Heel offense since the 1995 season. UNC scored 40 touchdowns last season and all but three of those came from players who are slated to return in 2004.

Headlining the eight returning starters on offense is senior quarterback Darian Durant. Durant has already set most of UNC's career passing and total offense records. He currently ranks first in career completion percentage (.608), TD passes (51), passing yards (6,517), completions (523) and first in career total offense (7,203). Durant enters his senior season 13th on the ACC's all-time passing efficiency chart (137.3) and 16th in career passing yards (6,517).

The Tar Heels must replace four starters on defense, including second-team All- ACC free safety Dexter Reid and cornerback Michael Waddell, who combined for 73 career starts in the secondary. Eight of the team's top nine tacklers are back including junior CB Mahlon Carey and linebacker Larry Edwards.

ACC Football Preview Schedule | More UNC Info From ACC Media Guide

QUOTES FROM 2004 ACC FOOTBALL KICKOFF

John Bunting, Head Coach, entering 4th season
"A lot of people know how far we've come. They know how hard we've worked in recruiting, and they see that we've had two top twenty recruiting classes in a row ... They're excited about the talent that's here on campus, despite the fact that we're very young and we don't have a lot of fourth- and fifth-year players. They know that, they understand that, but they're also excited about the future."

"We're going to be better depth-wise in the defensive line. And probably faster and more talented than we've been since (Julius) Peppers and Ryan Sims left. Linebacker-wise, we still have a ways to go there, but secondary-wise, we have some young players that can really run and some older players that are very talented."

2004 UNC Football Schedule
Sept. 4	William & Mary
Sept. 11	at Virginia
Sept. 18	Georgia Tech
Sept. 25	Louisville
Oct. 2	at Florida State
Oct. 9	NC State
Oct. 16	at Utah
Oct. 30	Miami
Nov. 6	Virginia Tech
Nov. 13	at Wake Forest
Nov. 20	at Duke

"With the talent coming back on defense and the increased speed on defense and with a very experienced offense, we should be a team to contend with each and every week. (QB Darian Durant) feels that way, and he has gained an awful lot of valuable leadership experience. He's more than willing now to take on that responsibility."

Darian Durant, Quarterback, Senior
"I was asked about my legacy a couple of weeks ago, and the great thing is that I have another year. I have another year to try to win some games and lead this team to a bowl game. All great quarterbacks are measured by their wins, and that's something I'm trying to get accomplished."

"I really don't have to put as much pressure on myself this year because I love what Coach Gutekunst and Coach Sanders are doing with our defense. They're going to really improve, and them playing well will take a lot of pressure off of me. And handing the ball to Ronnie McGill and Chad Scott every day, that will really help our passing game too."

Chase Page, Defensive Tackle, Senior

DT Chase Page

On having co-defensive coordinators: "Coach (Marvin) Sanders is really young and he identifies with the younger guys and the DBs. DBs are different -- they have that superstar mentality going on. Coach (John) Gutenkunst is more old-school, and he identifies with the linemen and guys like that. They work well together ... They've simplified the defense tremendously, and I think that's really going to pay off."

"Last year was abysmal, and that was due to a lot of different things, but I'm not here to make excuses. We have righted the ship, and hopefully it will pay off with the season coming up."

OFFENSE - Returning Starters
QB Darian Durant, Sr.
TB Jacque Lewis, Sr.
TB Ronnie McGill, So.
WR Jarwarski Pollock, Sr.
WR Derrele Mitchell, Jr.
T Willie McNeill, Sr.
T Skip Seagraves, Sr.
C Jason Brown, Sr.

OFFENSE - Starters Lost
TE Bobby Blizzard (20 catches, 161 yards)
G Jupiter Wilson (30 career starts)
G Jeb Terry (34 career starts)

DEFENSE - Returning Starters
DT Jonas Seawright, Sr.
DT Chase Page, Sr.
DE Tommy Davis, Jr.
LB Melik Brown, So.
LB Larry Edwards, So.
CB Lionell Green, Sr.
SS Mahlon Carey, Jr.

DEFENSE - Starters Lost
CB Michael Waddell (38 career starts)
FS Dexter Reid (35 career starts)
DE Madison Hedgecock (moved to fullback)
LB Devllen Bullard (10 career starts)