By R.L. Bynum CHARLOTTE — Sam Howell has rare qualities beyond the talent that make him a lock to be a first-round pick in the NFL draft next year. Most other players entering a season with such lofty expectations would revel in the attention, crave more of it and gladly embrace the Heisman Trophy hype. …
Continue reading “Howell didn’t want a Heisman publicity campaign; he just wants to win”
By R.L. Bynum CHARLOTTE — Nearly all of the offensive line is back and a Heisman Trophy candidate is at quarterback to lead the offense. But with the loss of the dynamic running back combination of Javonte Williams and Michael Carter, one of the biggest questions surrounds what North Carolina’s running game will look like …
By R.L. Bynum After playing rival N.C. State in the middle of the season for the first time since 2013, it will be back to facing the Wolfpack in the regular-season finale again in the 2021 season. This season, the rivals will play on the day after Thanksgiving. Carolina’s football schedule, in likely the final …
By R.L. Bynum MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. –– North Carolina players at the Orange Bowl heard the doubters who didn’t give the Tar Heels a chance after four stars opted out of the game against the highest-ranked team to miss the College Football Playoff. The defensive unit, which was shaky at times during the regular season, …
Continue reading “UNC’s defense shines for three quarters before Texas A&M surges to victory”
By R.L. Bynum North Carolina offensive coordinator Phil Longo enjoyed a high-energy Christmas morning with his four kids and spent that afternoon coming up with a game plan for the Orange Bowl against Texas A&M. The morning gave him some nice holiday memories but the work he did in the afternoon had a short shelf …
Continue reading “Game planning on Christmas gives way to redistribution process for UNC’s Longo”
Orange Bowl possible with win at Miami By R.L. Bynum After a week out of the Top 25 and a blowout senior day victory, North Carolina is back in the AP Top 25 football poll at No. 20. The poll figured to have plenty of changes after six teams in last week’s Top 25 lost, …
Continue reading “Heels return to AP poll at No. 20 but CFP rankings bigger”
By R.L. Bynum With a huge road matchup next weekend at No. 9 Miami, the goals were pretty simple for a senior day matchup with Western Carolina: Take care of business, stay away from injuries and play a lot of young guys in the second half. North Carolina (7–3, 6–3 ACC) checked all of those …
By R.L. Bynum In North Carolina’s second chance at a historic signature win in two seasons, the Tar Heels showed that the program can play with anybody in the country. Just like against No. 1 Clemson a year ago when UNC was a 2-point conversion away from victory, the Tar Heels couldn’t get it done …
Continue reading “Tar Heels play another top team well but again fall short of historic win”
By R.L. Bynum Who said the polls are logical? North Carolina won two consecutive games impressively and got left out of the AP football poll a week ago. The Tar Heels haven’t played since then but are back in the poll after a three-week absence at No. 25. In the coaches’ poll, UNC moved up …
Continue reading “Idle UNC slips back into the AP Top 25 at No. 25”
By R.L. Bynum Mack Brown’s North Carolina team has been fortunate to escape without too much disruption during the football season because of COVID-19. But one scenario could throw a major 2020 curveball at the Tar Heels. Beating No. 2 Notre Dame on Nov. 27 at Kenan Stadium will be quite a challenge for North …
