Butch Davis was brought to North Carolina to turn around a floundering football program. And in only two seasons in the driver’s seat, he has done just that.
After tallying a 4-8 record in 2007, Davis and the Tar Heels flip-flopped the results for an 8-4 record in year two.
It was the first time North Carolina had won eight games in the regular season since 1997 and left UNC bowl-game-bound for the first time in four years.
“I think for a program to grow and to make improvement, it takes an awful lot. It takes a ton of heart, and it takes a ton of work by the players and the coaches,” Davis said after the season finale win against Duke.
“If we’re going to be the football program that we all want to be, it’s going to take everybody. And this was a great step forward.”
It was truly a pivotal season for the developing football program. The only thing that will leave Davis and UNC fans scratching their heads this offseason is that it could have been even better.
What if quarterback T.J. Yates hadn’t broken his ankle in the third game of the season, leading to a second-half collapse by the Tar Heels?
What if explosive receiver and returner Brandon Tate hadn’t suffered a season-ending injury against Notre Dame?
What if the Tar Heels hadn’t let a second-half lead to Virginia slip away, and what if they hadn’t coughed up the football six times in a 41-10 drubbing at the hands of N.C. State?
And what if UNC, in control of its own destiny in the race for the ACC Coastal Division crown, hadn’t stumbled in two of its last three games?
Whatever the possibilities, the Tar Heels still have plenty to look back fondly on from the 2008 season.
There was the emergence of the thunder and lightning combination at tailback — the power of Ryan Houston and the speed of Shaun Draughn.
And Hakeem Nicks put up a record-setting campaign. He became UNC’s first-ever 1,000-yard receiver and moved into first place in school history in receiving yards — as a junior.
“He is one of the unique, special guys I have seen that the bigger the moment and the bigger the stage, the better he plays,” Davis said.
Don’t forget Trimane Goddard’s seven interceptions, tied for the best in the nation and including a last-second game-saver in a big win against Miami. Or Bruce Carter’s three blocked punts in one quarter against Connecticut. Or the landmark victory against Notre Dame.
The 2008 season was marked by transition, and UNC’s record wasn’t the only thing to evolve.
After four-year starting kicker Connor Barth moved on to the NFL, younger brother Casey stepped into the starting role.
Middle linebacker Mark Paschal, a senior, guided two young standouts, Carter and Quan Sturdivant, into prominence on his flanks.
Even Cameron Sexton, the oft-criticized veteran quarterback, filled in admirably before handing the reigns back to the younger Yates to close out the year.
The regular season began with a win, and it ended with another. The Tar Heels closed the season with a 28-20 win against rival Duke, but even in the aftermath of the victory, Goddard still found some perspective.
After all, the Tar Heels will go bowling before the calendar turns.
“It’s just a great win for our program,” the safety said. “Still got one more game and unfinished business — and we look forward to that.”
Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.
Dreams within reach
Published: Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Updated: Wednesday, December 3, 2008
 "Photo: DTH File/Anthony Harris")
DTH File/Anthony Harris
Junior wideout Hakeem Nicks has provided many of the brightest spots in an up-and-down UNC season. Nicks became the Tar Heels’ first-ever 1,000-yard receiver, and he’s used his stiff arm as a nice way to get a few extra. “The stiff-arm has always kind of stuck with me since high school,” he said.
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