North Carolina will get its match against Tennessee after all.
Just a few months after the Volunteers canceled their 2011 match against UNC because of tough scheduling, both accepted invitations to the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl in Nashville, Tenn., on Dec. 30.
The Tar Heels (7-5, 4-4 ACC) will go to a bowl game for the third straight season after two consecutive trips to Charlotte for the Meineke Car Care Bowl.
Tennessee, hailing from the Southeastern Conference, went 6-6 this season after winning its final four games to become bowl eligible. The Volunteers, who did not beat a ranked opponent this season, are in their first year with head coach Derek Dooley.
“It just worked out pretty good,” said senior safety Deunta Williams on meeting the Volunteers despite their getting out of the contract. “It should be an exciting game. We have our chance to test our skills against an SEC opponent.”
UNC hasn’t won a bowl game since 2001 when former coach John Bunting led the Tar Heels to a 16-10 victory against Auburn in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. Coincidentally, that was also the last time North Carolina defeated an SEC team.
The Tar Heels have dropped three bowl games since that time — all of which were held in Charlotte against Big East schools.
UNC coach Butch Davis credited the team, most notably the 17 seniors, for their work through a season overshadowed at times by the NCAA investigation.
“Regardless of the situation, this team fought week after week to make our fans proud,” Davis said in a press release. “We look forward to representing North Carolina against a talented Tennessee team.”