The Tar Heels are looking to make 2014 the season where things finally click under Larry Fedora
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) -- It seems like we hear the claims every season -- UNC will finally break through to football glory.
However, the possibilities this year seem to hold more promise.
"I've never seen so many people put in so much overtime just to be excited for this year," said junior quarterback Marquise Williams. "I see fans always talking about, 'Man we can't wait for this season, [we] can't wait for this season.' I've never heard it so much [as I have] this year."
The offense is a prime reason to excite. The unit returns many key young players who played important roles last season.
One pair in particular comes to mind.
"T.J Logan and Switz -- they're special guys," said senior bandit Norkeithus Otis.
Ryan "Switz" Switzer and T.J. Logan provided an offensive explosion at wide receiver and tailback, respectively, as freshmen. The duo also fueled the Tar Heels' top-rated special teams unit last season.
"I'd say we have the best special teams unit in the country," Switzer said. "I'd put me and T.J. up in a forty-yard- dash against anybody."
"I believe [that] to be honest with you, and we got numbers to prove it," Logan said. "I feel like this year we're going to have to step it up even more."
Heading into a third season under head coach Larry Fedora means that a few creases are finally ironed out, especially on defense where question marks loomed.
"We were really young on that end [last season]," said senior safety Tim Scott. "We took the time during the offseason to watch film together, hang out all the time, make sure we got the defense right so we can be successful in the end."
But there's an additional source of hunger for this group of guys powered by their rivals right down the road.
In their one meeting last season, UNC fell to Duke only to watch the Blue Devils clinch the Coastal division on the Tar Heels' home turf.
The squad says that won't happen again.
"It pumps me up, and it gets us ready. [The game] is going to be on a Thursday night this year. It's going to be very exciting," Williams said. "We're ready to bring that bell back this year."
