By Lee Pace
The last 24 months of Carolina vs. Virginia Tech football have left a bitter taste, a rancid smell and a chilling memory bank for the Tar Heels. The Hokies pummeled the Tar Heels 34-3 two years ago in Kenan Stadium, then loaded up their ark and floated back to Blacksburg in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew. Then one year ago, Tech scored on a fumble, interception and punt return and had blown the Heels out of Lane Stadium in the blink of an eye on the way to a 59-7 win.
So the natural motivational gambit for the Tar Heel coaching staff to play during the advance week to Tech coming to Chapel Hill Saturday for a nighttime showdown was the dignity card.