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College Football

UNC, NC State continue to progress

Sep 18, 2012

It was a tale of two halves for North Carolina – one dreadful, the other amazing. In the end, however, the first half hole the Tar Heels dug themselves Saturday was too deep to escape against Louisville. 

"I was extremely frustrated. I was hoping I was going to live through the first half," said UNC head coach Larry Fedora.

Now the Heels return home to face an East Carolina team always hungry to prove a point against their in-state rivals.

"They're a rabid bunch, they're excited they're rowdy. They are always jaw-jacking, giving you a lot of trash talk and all that," joked North Carolina offensive guard Jonathan Cooper. "It makes for an exciting atmosphere."

After a dazzling debut, Geo Bernard hasn’t played since halftime of the Heels’ season opener and his status remains a question mark this week.

"He wants to be out there more than anybody and you can just see it in his face when he's walking around," said UNC quarterback Bryn Renner. "The kids tough. He's been through a lot and I think that it's going to make him stronger even when he comes back."

At State, the Wolfpack’s dealing with a running back absence as well. Mustafa Greene sat out Saturday’s game for an undisclosed suspension and he remains OFF the depth chart for this week

"His situation hasn't changed right now, he's on the team should be practicing but not any different than we were Saturday night," said head coach Tom O'Brien.

But after two challenging road games... The Pack found another gear against South Alabama... playing efficient football on offense... and nearly recording a shutout on defense...

"With two wins under our belt we have to keep our foot on the pedal. We can't let up and get lackadaisical," said NC State linebacker Rickey Dowdy.

"I think our offense really came out of the gates and played well," said Wolfpack quarterback Mike Glennon. "I felt the crowd responded well to that and it kind of just set the tone for the whole game."

The Pack remains at home this week to face a Citadel team that just beat Appalachian State.

• Reporter: Ken Medlin
• Web Editor: Erin Summers