Comeback Kids

The Noles were on the road this week to play the UNC Tarheels in Chapel Hill.  We were very excited because Ray and Bonnie (both FSU grads) were coming along.  We all planned to spend a few days before the game in Boone and then ride together.

Many people did not have high expectations for the Seminoles, but we were looking forward to cheering them on.  We got situated at the hotel and then had a yummy lunch of tasty bison burgers at Ted's. 

After lunch, we headed to Durham where we planned to meet up with several other Noles at the Carolina Inn where the Boosters were staying.  The plan was to go to a local restaurant (owned by a Nole), nosh a bit before the game and then walk to the stadium. While we were at the hotel, we had the opportunity to meet William Floyd.  (He's Gene Deckerhof's side-kick and participates in the radio commentary.)

The Jones Brothers with William. 

The game was scheduled to kickoff at 8:00pm.  What a perfect night for football!  We anticipated the weather was going to be chilly, but it turned out to be very pleasant!

The Bell Tower, a significant landmark in the Chapel Hill-Raleigh-Durham area, sits in the middle of the UNC campus.

We had great seats!  (Well as great as you can get when you're the visiting team, in the corner of the stadium - 12 rows up.)  There were several 'firsts' for UNC - this was their first Thursday night game and the first time they were wearing dark blue uniforms.

 

Ray, Bonnie, Frank and Leann.

Spotted him!  "Fabio" was sitting 8 rows behind us. 

Unfortunately none of the other usual spotters were at the game, so I win!

Christian Ponder, the Seminoles Quarterback.

Coach Bobby Bowden.

For the first 3 quarters, and part of the 4th, the Seminoles did not play very well.  Ok, they looks horrible!  It seemed there were flags on every play, the TarHeels kept scoring and it was very frustrating!  At one point, the only thing we had going for us was the terrific weather.

But things turned around, and the Seminoles were playing like a well-oiled machine!  Passes were being caught, touchdowns were being made, and in the end (literally the last second), they came away with a much-needed win!

Instead of watching the last few seconds of the game, I should have had my camera on the scoreboard.  No sooner than the game ended, the board was wiped clean! 

Christian Ponder cutting a piece of sod from the sideline. 

We had a nice time in Chapel Hill and the win certainly made for a much more enjoyable ride back to the hotel and the 3 hour ride the next day to Boone.

Congrats to the Seminoles on their win!