Barclay to test UNC defense

North Carolina just finished its brutal stretch of facing seven ranked teams in its last eight games, which culminated with a last-minute loss to No. 16 Virginia Tech.

Although no top-25 teams remain on the schedule, UNC could be facing its most pressure-packed two-game stretch of the season.

If the 4-5 Tar Heels can win their final two games, they'll be bowl eligible and could play in their first postseason game since the 2001 Peach Bowl.

But before UNC wins two games, it must first win one, and that will be a challenge as the Tar Heels head to Winston-Salem to face a tough Wake Forest team.

"Last time we went over there, we were pretty much embarrassed," said UNC coach John Bunting of Wake's 31-0 thrashing of the Tar Heels in 2002. "So there's tremendous motivation for all of us, there's a lot to play for, and we know what we're up against - a very physical team that has a lot of talent."

The Demon Deacons (4-4) are also a very rested team as opposed to UNC, whose last two games have gone down to the last minute. Wake is coming off a bye week.

"They've had a week off, they'll have something extremely new for us, I'm sure, some deviation off of a formation or a motion," Bunting said. "If you're able to line them up, post motion, they're basically going to come off and hit you in the mouth and play rough-and-tumble football."

Bunting said he is anticipating that Wake will run a lot of misdirections, the type of plays that gave the UNC defense fits against Virginia Tech.

The Tar Heels gave up a school record 243 rushing yards to Hokie back Mike Imoh.

Wake features its own star running back in junior Chris Barclay.

Barclay, who ran for 160 yards and a touchdown in last season's 42-34 loss to UNC, is third in the ACC in rushing with 89 yards per game.

He'll be going up against a rush defense that has sunk to the bottom of the conference by allowing 234.9 rushing yards per game.

"The guy that probably is as tough as any of the backs (in the ACC) is Barclay," Bunting said. "That guy is tough, and he's strong, and he's quick, and he's explosive."

On the offense, Bunting said he will continue to ride the hot hand of RB Chad Scott, who was the first Tar Heel to run for 100 yards in consecutive games in seven years. Both Ronnie McGill and Jacque Lewis are now healthy.

5 seniors selected for bowls

Madison Hedgecock, Jonas Seawright, Gerald Sensabaugh, Darian Durant and Jason Brown have been chosen to participate in postseason exhibition games.

Hedgecock, a fullback, will play in the Hula Bowl. Seawright, a defensive tackle and Sensabaugh, a strong safety, were selected in the Las Vegas All-American Classic.

Durant will be taking the snaps in the Gridiron Classic and Brown, a center, will represent UNC at the Senior Bowl.

Said Bunting, "I'm thrilled to be able to help those kids get into those all-star games because they are great kids."

Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.