[Gallery] UNC Football Open Practice
Chapel Hill, N.C. – The night before the first day of class, the University of North Carolina football team showcased their skills to the public with an open practice yesterday.
Public practices are rare this close to the season. UNC head coach Mack Brown didn’t show his team’s complete aresenal; but, yesterday gave players the chance to practice under the lights and in front of fans.
After making a mental mistake during a one-on-one battle, an upperclassman leader urged the player at fault to finish the play and not let the stage distract him from doing the little things.
Their first slate of games won’t be a cakewalk.
Week one they play their border rival, South Carolina, in the Belk Kickoff at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. The following week they have a home, under the lights, matchup against Miami (FL). This game is their first ACC divisional game and will carry a lot of weight in a division that’s wide open this year.
Week three, they travel to Wake Forest to play the Demon Deacons and the following week they host the Appalachian State University Mountaineers who received five votes in the Associated Press’ Preseason Top-25 Polls.
To cap off their first five games, they play the reigning national champions, and AP Preseason No.1, Clemson Tigers at Kenan Stadium.
In the annual preseason Athletic 130, which ranks all FBS teams, the Tar Heels ranked 99th. Carolina needs all hands on deck to be the one that shatters all realistic expectations.
But, that’s why they play the game.
