UNC hopes offseason defensive overhaul means better results

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina brought in new coaches, changed the scheme and spent offseason workouts trying to change every part of a defense that couldn’t stop anyone last season.

The next step is finding out if all that work has made any difference.

The Tar Heels are coming off a year in which they gave up more points and yards than any other team in school history. That means Thursday’s opener against South Carolina in Charlotte will provide the first look at whether the Tar Heels have improved at all.

First-year defensive coordinator Gene Chizik says the players “absorbed a lot” and the team will know more about where it stands after the game. Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier says his coaches have reviewed film from Chizik’s time as Auburn’s head coach to prepare.