The UNC football team meets Cincinnati Saturday at the Belk Bowl in Charlotte. For a while this fall it looked like the Tar Heels would be home for the holidays. Carolina started the season with one win and five losses. The 5th defeat came by just four points at home to 10th ranked Miami.
“It was probably one of the lowest points in our season, but at the same time it was the catalyst that kicked us into another gear. And our kids realized they could play with anybody if we were playing with the number ten team in the country,” UNC coach Larry Fedora said, who called the loss to Miami the turning point of the season.
UNC won its next five games. The Heels become only the second team to ever start 1-5 and end-up in a bowl game. The Tar Heels were banned from the post-season last year, and started this fall with a one and five record. But, they turned it around and are one of 11 A-C-C teams participating in bowls. Head coach Larry Fedora says the moment is an important one for the school.
“To have the TV exposure that we get for being in a bowl, just helps our entire program; it just adds to the excitement that is created around this program and around the state and around the country, which is going to help us in recruiting,” added Fedora.
The two schools haven’t met on the football field since 1991. These two kick-off at 3:20 PM Saturday.