Davis: Still a long way to go for Heels' D

North Carolina

Davis: Still a long way to go for Heels' D

By Adam Harris

Nov 24, 2009

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Despite spending much of the season rated among the nation's best, Butch Davis is not yet satisfied with UNC's defense. While getting ready for the final game of the regular season at NC State, Davis told 99.9 FM The Fan that he's looking for improvement.

"We've been able to add a little bit of depth over the last two recruiting classes, but we're still a long way away from where we would like to be."

While the Tar Heels head into Carter-Finley Stadium as the favorite on Saturday, Davis has yet to beat NC State since taking over at UNC in 2007. The head coach at North Carolina knows his third attempt at a win over the Wolfpack will not be easy.

"This is always a huge challenge," Davis tells The Insiders. "I think it always will be, and it always has been."

Davis is a bit worried about containing the ACC's reigning 1st-Team quarterback.

"NC State is really talented offensively. Russell Wilson, he prevents you from wanting to go to sleep at all at nighttime," says Davis.

The blue-red rivalry is always a fiercely played game on the football field. This year, however, there is more focus off the field as NC State offensive coordinator Dana Bible has been diagnosed with leukemia.

As a cancer survivor himself, Davis offered his best for Bible as he fights the deadly disease in the hospital.

"Every single person in our program has already said a prayer for Coach Bible," said Davis.

Most Recent Comments

RE: Davis: Still a long way to go for Heels' D

Can't wait for the mass exodus from CF on Saturday to begin, kinda like a bunch of rats running out of a burning barn, sometime around the middle of the third quarter...should be able to move down closer to the field at about the 50 yard line!
Go Heels!!
- Posted by TARHEELS83

Interesting image you painted there. You know quite well what that looks like, from last year's game, don't you? :)

RE: Davis: Still a long way to go for Heels' D

I know this article is about UNC, and I am a UNC fan, but I can't help wondering what happened to State this year. I mean they have Russell Wilson, a very good QB. They have a pretty good running back that has been there forever, I can't recall his name, and usually their defense is one of their strengths.

Seemed like they were poised to have a good season instead of the one they had.
- Posted by WhysoMad

The players you discussed have not been our problem. Our problem is on defense. It was like one of those Rivers years. The offense had no problem scoring points, but the defense would lose the games for us. Same for this year. We just have too many young guys, and I suspect a bad defensive coordinator. Our defense was already going to be weak, and we lost Nate Irving before the season, and two guys left the program for one reason or another. And that was before the first game was played. We've lost a few more players to injury since then, too. We have something like 13 players that are out for the season. As bad as the injury bug was last season, it's even worse this season.

And I'm not making excuses. We would have been weak on defense anyway. Just not quite THIS weak.

I think I heard that our offense wasn't quite right last week in the absence of our offensive coordinator, Dana Bible, who was just diagnosed with Leukemia. Before that, we haven't had too much trouble with our offense.

I also think our coaching staff did their best to BREAK Russell Wilson this year. They took our best player, and tried to make him a pocket passer. He's most dangerous when he's moving. Sometimes he stays in the pocket like it's a prison cell and takes the sack. I hope we turn him loose this weekend and let him play the kind of ball that he knows best how to play. Run around, throw when you should, and run when you should.

RE: Davis: Still a long way to go for Heels' D

Can't wait for the mass exodus from CF on Saturday to begin, kinda like a bunch of rats running out of a burning barn, sometime around the middle of the third quarter...should be able to move down closer to the field at about the 50 yard line!
Go Heels!!

RE: Davis: Still a long way to go for Heels' D

I will be there sat. sitting in the state section pulling for the Heels!!
Prayers go out to the Bible family, and what a great interview with Wilson, very good kid.

Go Heels!!!!!

RE: Davis: Still a long way to go for Heels' D

I know this article is about UNC, and I am a UNC fan, but I can't help wondering what happened to State this year. I mean they have Russell Wilson, a very good QB. They have a pretty good running back that has been there forever, I can't recall his name, and usually their defense is one of their strengths.

Seemed like they were poised to have a good season instead of the one they had.

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