North Carolina head coach Butch Davis wants a touchdown called during a review of a Tar Heel fumble on the goal line on November 28, 2009.
Dec 7, 2009
Chapel Hill, N.C. — North Carolina has accepted an invitation to play in the 2009 Meineke Car Care Bowl on Dec. 26 in Charlotte.
The game will be televised by ESPN at 4:30 p.m. from Bank of America Stadium, home of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers. The Tar Heels will face the Pittsburgh Panthers from the Big East Conference. Tickets for the game may be purchased at TarHeelBlue.com.
This is Carolina’s 27th bowl game, third bowl game in Charlotte and second straight trip to the Meineke Car Care Bowl. In each of UNC’s last two appearances in Charlotte (2004 and 2008), Carolina sold out of its bowl ticket allotment weeks before the game. The Tar Heels are making back-to-back bowl appearances for the first time since 1997 (Gator) and 1998 (Las Vegas).
“Our program is excited for the opportunity to play in back-to-back bowl games and make a return trip to Charlotte,” coach Butch Davis said in a statement. “Will Webb and the staff of the Meineke Car Care Bowl do an outstanding job with the game and the activities leading up to the bowl. Our players are excited to continue their season and play so close to home. We had tremendous fan support at the game in 2008 and we will need that again this year against an outstanding Pittsburgh team.”
"I'm excited for our players, coaches and fans for the opportunity to continue the football season," said Athletic Director Dick Baddour. "Our program continues to gain momentum under the leadership of Coach Davis and I congratulate our student-athletes for their hard work and determination this year. North Carolina has had fantastic fan support in each of our three previous bowl appearances in Charlotte and this will be another outstanding opportunity for our fans to follow the team in the postseason."
North Carolina finished the regular season 8-4 by winning four of its last five games, including wins at No. 14 Virginia Tech and vs. No. 12 Miami. The Tar Heels defeated five bowl teams – Connecticut, East Carolina, Virginia Tech, Miami and Boston College – and have won five straight over ranked teams dating back to last season.
Carolina dropped in the ACC's bowl pecking order after closing the year with a loss at N.C. State.
Pittsburgh enters the Meineke Car Care Bowl ranked No. 17 in the final Associated Press Top 25 poll. The Panthers finished 9-3 overall, 5-2 and tied for second in the Big East standings. Pitt is led by freshman running back Dion Lewis who ranks third in the nation in rushing.
Carolina has the ACC’s top defense and ranks sixth in the country, allowing just 267.8 yards per game. The Tar Heels are also No. 9 in run defense, No. 13 in pass efficiency defense and No. 13 in scoring defense. Four defensive standouts were named to this year’s All-ACC first-team: defensive end Robert Quinn, linebacker Quan Sturdivant, cornerback Kendric Burney and safety Deunta Williams.
“We are very happy to welcome the University of North Carolina back to the 2009 Meineke Car Care Bowl,” Webb said. “The Tar Heels have proven to be a very tough and determined team this season, and we feel that the matchup of North Carolina against Pittsburgh will be a very exciting and competitive game. The fan response has been tremendous already, as there are only a limited number of lower level seats still available. It is also a great benefit for fans from both schools to be in close proximity to Charlotte and be able to travel to the game easily The 2009 Meineke Car Care Bowl will have a great atmosphere for the teams and the fans alike.”
The Meineke Car Care Bowl has averaged over 62,000 fans during its first seven years, with three sellouts. It has reached over 18 million television households.
- Posted by jelovichmichaelDuke would not even know how to prepare for post season play.- Posted by dfdsharkman
Atleast we know how to prepare a gameplan to beat State.....
Rank: Sports Legend 
Rank: Sports Legend - Posted by jelovichmichaelDuke would not even know how to prepare for post season play.- Posted by dfdsharkman
Atleast we know how to prepare a gameplan to beat State.....
Rank: Sports Legend Duke gives away free tickets, and can't fill their stands. 19 to 6 you do remember that don't you?- Posted by jelovichmichael- Posted by heelman73- Posted by jelovichmichaelMaybe you should try that game plan against us. The one you are using right now is not working on the BOWl BOUND TARHEELS- Posted by dfdsharkman
hey nothing better then playing A bowl Game nobody cares about in December in Char NC....again. Congrats.
75,000+ people care about it every year
Umm no, there wont be 75000 plus, thats the other sad thing about this, you got all these carolina fans ( 3 to 4 million in the state alone) and you wont even sell out in your own state for a bowl game...... but im sure you guys will have an excuse for that also.
- Posted by heelman73- Posted by jelovichmichaelMaybe you should try that game plan against us. The one you are using right now is not working on the BOWl BOUND TARHEELS- Posted by dfdsharkman
hey nothing better then playing A bowl Game nobody cares about in December in Char NC....again. Congrats.
75,000+ people care about it every year
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