Kenan empties as Wolfpack rolls Heels

Carolina fever was rampant in Chapel Hill early Saturday as 15 shirtless Tar Heel fans painted up nearly two hours before the noon kickoff.

Braving the elements, the 15 individuals made their way down to the front row of Kenan Stadium’s “Tar Pit” where the Heel fans took their places – not spelling “GO HEELS” or a phrase found at stadiums, but rather a slogan specific to Carolina’s recent success: “GET BUTCH SLAPPED.” The phrase referenced the Heels’ second year coach, Butch Davis, and a common misogynistic phrase.

These diehards pulled on sweatshirts later in the game, but were one of very few who stayed in the stadium for the entire game as N.C. State throttled the 24th ranked Heels 41-10. The crowd of 60,000 all but disappeared by the end, even though the game had been sold out without an empty seat in the stadium at kickoff.

“I think the stadium was packed during warmups,” defensive end Willie Young said, who had two sacks, an interception and a forced fumble in the contest. “And when we came out it was swamped, [but] as the game progressed…you noticed they started clearing out a little bit, and it’s like food to [us.]”

The stadium began emptying midway through the third quarter as Tar Heel fans realized their team’s chances at a comeback were slim, leaving a crowd wearing predominantly Wolfpack red — a sight that took the attention of the players on the sideline.

“There was more red than blue,” sophomore Owen Spencer said. “Everybody kind of scattered after a while and we all looked and all you could see was blue seats and then you look to the left and all you see is red. They stayed there with us and they wanted to see the after game celebration. They wanted to sit here and enjoy it with us.”

Spencer was also impressed with the turnout from Wolfpack fans who ventured to Chapel Hill to watch their team take on a heavily favored Carolina team.

“That’s a sign of unity and family,” he said. “For them to stay and watch us will ourselves to victory… we’re proud of our fans.”

Beyond bragging rights in the Old North State, this year’s State-Carolina game had an impact on both teams’ postseasons as the Pack needed the win to remain in the hunt for a bowl.

“We’re trying to become bowl eligible and we had to run over UNC to do it” redshirt junior running back Jamelle Eugene said. “[Carolina] went to sleep. They kind of submitted.”

The players said last week’s media surge leading up to the game was a big factor in motivating the team too.

“They were doing a lot of talk this week in the media and they obviously thought they were better than they really are,” Eugene said. “We just came out here and brought them down to earth.”

Redshirt senior Anthony Hill said media outlets weren’t the only ones counting the Pack out of the rivalry game. Carolina players were also vocally bashing State.

“We’ve been hearing all the trash they’ve been talking about this being our championship game, so just to come up and punch them in the mouth and shut ’em up and beat them by 31,” Hill said. “This was huge.”

With representatives from the Chik-Fil-A Bowl on hand, the game also had a direct impact on UNC-Chapel Hill’s postseason fate. Rumors circulated that with a win, the Tar Heels would have been presented with a bid, but the loss leaves the team’s bowl destination in question going into the final game against Duke.

Eugene said the 31-point victory margin made it seem like the stadium was the Wolfpack’s and no longer UNC’s after the lopsided affair.

“We feel like this is our stadium now,” Eugene said, adding that the so-called “state championship” should leave no question in the minds of recruits as to which North Carolina school they should attend. “If you want to play for the best team in the state, this is us.”