Win Makes UNC's Year Worthwhile

Bunting's boys came through for him when it counted the most and got the Tar Heels that precious 7-5 winning record that made them bowl eligible. Before the game, there was no doubt that the Peach Bowl was only waiting for North Carolina to become bowl eligible to extend the bid. N.C. State coach Chuck Amato went in person to lobby the Tangerine Bowl, giving up on the Peach.

Amid the euphoria of their victory, the Tar Heels tried to quantify what the bowl trip will mean to this season.

Said tailback Willie Parker: "I would grade this season an A+. This is the best feeling in our lives right now, to go to a bowl game and play for a win."

The Tar Heel postgame interviews were very much like the ones after UNC shocked Florida State on Sept. 22. But the games were very different.

UNC was lucky to escape with a win against Southern Methodist. The Tar Heels' offense struggled through the game, and UNC only picked up its offensive output in the second half.

"I was worried all game," said wideout Kory Bailey, who made four receptions for 47 yards. "SMU is a tough team. They've gone through some things this year, but they were out there fighting. They gave us everything they had. Luckily, we were able to come out with a victory."

Had the Tar Heels dropped their last game, falling to 6-6, Bunting's first year would have been diminished. There's no doubt. Although North Carolina won seven of its last nine, those three early losses count for more than their share. What's funny about those losses, though, is that they are part of what got UNC its Peach Bowl bid. The Peach Bowl representatives mentioned the Tar Heels' difficult schedule more than once.

After losing to Oklahoma, Maryland and Texas on the road, the Tar Heels were in a serious funk. Although Maryland would go on to win the ACC Championship, it was a particularly difficult loss to swallow because of the poor quality of play. Against Oklahoma and Texas, UNC played some good halves, but couldn't get it together.

Bouncing back to beat Florida State made everyone sit up and notice the potential of the Tar Heels, but Bunting said Saturday he thought he had his players on the right mental track after they defeated N.C. State 17-9 at Carter-Finley Stadium.

"The team has a lot of character and a 'never die' attitude, and it shows," said senior quarterback Ronald Curry, who completed 8 of 14 attempts for 116 yards and a touchdown against SMU. "We go out there and play for 60 minutes regardless of what the score is. That's what we've been doing all year whether we were winning or losing, and good things just started to happen."

Those good things -- the running game clicking, the rush defense rebounding from tough losses - must continue for the Tar Heels to be successful in the bowl. A Southeastern Conference team is going to be a difficult challenge for the Tar Heels and chances are they will be underdogs going into New Year's Eve.

But Bunting's first year won't be diminished by the outcome of the Peach Bowl -- it can only be enhanced. After Carl Torbush was fired last year, few people thought this year's Tar Heels would be sitting pretty in third place in the conference.

"It's been a long season for this team and this staff, particularly in light of the fact that we've pushed them so hard," Bunting said. "We tried to make this team better by playing a tough schedule and by making a lot of demands of them in spring ball. ... We're really proud that they played as well as they did today."

Rachel Carter can be reached at sports@unc.edu.