Redemption on the line for UNC

CORRECTION: Due to a reporting error, the original version of this story misattributed a quote said by Marquise Williams. Williams said "We knew we were going to be a special group." The story has been updated to reflect these changes.

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The last time Marquise Williams played in his hometown, it wasn’t pretty.

In North Carolina’s season-opening defeat to South Carolina in Charlotte, the redshirt senior quarterback threw three red zone interceptions, including one in the end zone on UNC’s failed game-winning drive. Williams shouldered responsibility for the loss, but he didn’t forget.

“After that game, I told myself, ‘I’ll be back here this year. I’ll come back and have a better game than I did the first time.’”

Now Williams and the Tar Heels will return to Bank of America Stadium to play another team from South Carolina, No. 1 Clemson, with an ACC Championship and redemption on the line.

Williams couldn’t have scripted it any better.

“I dreamed of it, and it’s here now. This is what I used to play (in) NCAA football before they took it away,” Williams said. “I used to play with Carolina, I used put myself at quarterback and I used to take us to the ACC Championship and have phenomenal guys beside me also going with me.”

No one pictured the Tar Heels here after the first game. After the loss to the Gamecocks, everyone was bracing for another disappointing season from the football team that hadn’t been truly relevant since the millennium began.

“We knew we were going to be a special group,” Williams said. “I think that defined who we were — that first game. If we would have beat them, maybe things would have gone south. But we just kept our heads level and took care of every opportunity.”

But according to Coach Larry Fedora, the Tar Heels knew this team was different.

After 11 straight wins, the Tar Heels have seized every opportunity presented to them. They’re champions of the state and the entire ACC Coastal division. Now they have one last opportunity to focus on — beat Clemson, win the ACC and silence the doubters.

“We’ve gone full circle,” junior receiver Mack Hollins said. “We’ve gone from 0-1 at the beginning of the season and losing at Bank of America Stadium to getting the chance to end the season 12-0 the past 12 games at Bank of America again. It’s really full circle for everybody, not just the Charlotte guys.”

Williams himself has experienced a revival. After being benched against Delaware, Williams went on to score 21 of his 29 total touchdowns in the next eight. Only three players in ACC history have more career touchdowns than Williams.

The only thing missing for Williams and the Tar Heels is redemption.

“It’s special now,” Williams said. “I get to go back for a second chance, and I’m just thankful for a second chance and also these guys.”

“It’s special, but I’ve got to come back and redeem myself.”

@loganulrich

sports@dailytarheel.com