Tee It Up: College Football Practice Cranks Up In NC

Footballs are flying once again in the Triangle, and across the state. The three ACC schools in the area have all begun practicing for the upcoming college football season.  UNC and Duke began drills last Friday while N.C. State took to the field on Saturday. 

The Wolfpack is looking to improve on last year's three-win season.   Duke will be trying for a second consecutive trip to the conference championship game. 

Expectations are high in Chapel Hill.  The preseason coaches poll ranks the Tar Heels 23rd in the nation.  Head coach Larry Fedora says players have returned with a great attitude.

"Everybody's hopes are high and they're excited," Fedora said.  "They were all flying around.  But, again it was all about the recall for the coaches, seeing how much they've done over the summer: What they knew, what they didn't know. And we were really pleased."

Fedora says even at this early stage, his experienced players are relishing their roles as leaders, and they are helping to guide the younger players.

"All the freshmen that came in for the month of July... We were really pleased with how much the older guys have done with them, how quickly they're picking things up. So we got quite a bit accomplished.  We've got a long way to go," he said.

The first games for all three schools are less than a month away on August 30th.  UNC will host Liberty University.  Elon will make a short bus trip to Durham to face Duke.  N.C. State will take on Georgia Southern in its opener in Raleigh.