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Updated: August 18, 5:16 PM ET Tar Heels rebuilding, but on the right track By Gregg Doyel Special to ESPN.com |
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North Carolina Tar Heels
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2002 overall record: 3-9 Conference record: 1-7 Returning starters: Offense: 7, Defense: 8, Kicker/Punter: 2 2002 statistical leaders (* - returners) Rushing: Jacque Lewis* (574 yds) Passing: Darian Durant* (2,123 yds) Receiving: Sam Aiken (990 yds) Tackles: Dexter Reid* (166) Sacks: 3 players tied (3 each) Interceptions: Michael Waddell* (2) Outlook: The rebuilding will continue this season for the Tar Heels, but Bunting has the tools to make a sturdy foundation considering he is adding a stellar recruiting class to go with junior QB Darian Durant, who is on pace to break every major UNC passing record. Still, to compete with other mid-level ACC teams the Tar Heels will have to run better than last season, and stop the run better, too. They ranked last in the ACC in both categories, and frankly, there's not much reason to believe either stat will be much improved one year later. Key game: If the Tar Heels win just one ACC game this season -- and they should do better than that, but keep with us here -- their fans would prefer it to be against NC State. UNC gets its chance Sept. 27 in Raleigh, where Wolfpack fans will hope for a rout. Keep an eye on: Senior CB Michael Waddell is good enough to have been voted second-team All-ACC as a sophomore, and shaky enough to have lost his position by late last season before a broken leg ended his year for good. Waddell, a former academic casualty, earned back his senior season by graduating in four years. Whatever happens this year is cake. It's a good year if. . .: The Tar Heels have a chance to finish in the middle of the ACC pack, but a bowl appearance is unlikely given a non-conference schedule featuring Syracuse, Wisconsin, East Carolina and Arizona State. Breaking even with this schedule, and this inexperienced roster, would be a good showing. Gregg Doyel covers the ACC for the Charlotte Observer.
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