Aug 7, 2012
Chapel Hill, N.C. — Like everyone else on Carolina's football team, Gio Bernard's getting accustomed to a slightly faster pace of play this season.
"It's definitely a different pace," said Bernard. "Before I'd be able to go in the huddle and take a breath, look in my offensive lineman's face and have a little chat after the play. But right now with this type of fast paced offense, with this tempo that we have going there's no time for that. You're looking to the sideline and trying to get on the ball, looking to the sideline and getting on the ball, trying to run the play."
Bernard rushed for more than 1200 yards last season. But that was in a pro-style offense. So even after putting up those huge numbers, Bernard still feels he has something to prove as he settles in to the 1-back spread system favored by Larry Fedora.
"As a running back, I want the ball in my hands. I want to show everybody what I've been working on this entire summer, for people that doubt me, that I can catch it out of the back field. I'm not just a pro-style runner," said Bernard.
Bernard remains the featured back in the system. And with a new, permanent staff in place, he and the rest of his teammates are ready to move on with the season.
"For the most part we're just really excited to get back on the field, show everybody what we've been working on this entire summer, this spring," said Bernard. "We're just excited for this new Fedora era."
Opening days's now less than a month away, Carolina starts the season September 1st against Elon. The game will be carried on FOX 50.
Rank: Sports Legend 
Rank: Sports Legend Glad that he is in an offense that will utilize him in more than just dives up the middle into a crowded bunch of linemen. I'd most definitely take another 1200 yard year, he has nothing to prove to me. I'm more excited that he won't be running it up the gut and taking the pounding he did last year. In this offense you'd expect him to avg more than 100 yards per game and not have to carry the ball 30 times to do it.- Posted by bourboNCarolina
He seems like a good kid. Too bad he plays for the evil empire! Otherwise, I'd probably pull for him except when he plays my team.- Posted by TruthBKnown Left The Building
Get the best value for your trade at John Hiester!
No Admission Just Good Food & Live Music @Crabtree
Lasik starting at $795 - Mention WRAL
![[RSS]](http://wwwcache.wralsportsfan.com/presentation/v1/images/feed_icon.png "Subscribe to “College Basketball” RSS feed"){kind=icon}
