The Duke - North Carolina rivalry is one of the fiercest rivalries in college sports. While the rivalry on the basketball court may get the most publicity, there is still a healthy rivalry between these two schools on the gridiron as well. The two schools first played each other in 1888 when the Blue Devils shutout the Tar Heels 16-0. The rivalry had grown since then and saw the addition of a rivalry trophy in 1948 when the two schools began playing for the Victory Bell. Carolina holds the all-time series lead 43-22-1 and will look to extend that gap when the teams meet this season.
The Tar Heels and Wolfpack having been battling it out on the gridiron for over a century as these two teams first met in 1894 when North Carolina shutout NC State 44-0. The Tar Heels would dominate the rivalry for the next sixty years. However, things have been more even recently as the Wolfpack have won six of the last eight meetings.
The longest running FBS rivalry in the Southeast began when in 1892, with Virginia winning the first game 30-18 and North Carolina winning the second 26-0. The rivalry is steeped in the historical lineage and academic standards of the two schools, as Virginia is the alma mater of Thomas Jefferson while North Carolina was the first operational state university. North Carolina leads the all-time series 61-54-4 and hopes to extend that lead this year.
The North Carolina-Wake Forest rivalry is the oldest rivalry in the state of North Carolina as the two schools have been playing each other since 1888 when Wake Forest took down the Tar Heels 6-4. Tar Heels have owned the series since then building a 68-35-2 all-time against the Demon Deacons. The 2019 meeting will mark the first time that two teams from the same Power 5 conference will schedule one another as non-conference opponents.
Tar Heels Tailgate Guide
Atmosphere
UNC’s campus nestled among the pines offers a picturesque tailgating location that is sure to be on the list of places to tailgate for any true tailgate lover. The fans here love to show their support for the team as you’ll see plenty of cars sporting Tar Heel’s flags on your way to the stadium. If you’re looking to get into the Tar Heel spirit check out the Old Well Walk for a chance to get up close to UNC players and coaches.
Food also plays a big part in a Tar Heels tailgate as there are plenty of wares on display on game days here. Some of the most popular items are the Carolina burger and of course barbecue. The Carolina burger is a delicious burger topped with chili and cole slaw, which is sure to make your mouth water just thinking about it. Tar Heels fans put out quite the spread, so make sure to bring your appetite to a UNC tailgate.
Every game since 2001 the Old Well Walk has allowed fans the opportunity to cheer on their Tar Heels before they take the field. Before each game, the team is dropped off at the Old Well in the center of the campus and then walks through Tar Heel Town towards the stadium. This is a must see for any die-hard Tar Heels fans out there.
Tar Heel Town is a great place to hit up before the game. It offers a variety of interactive games and activities including the bell tower climb and autograph signings. If you’re looking for things to do before the game starts, look no further than Tar Heel Town, which is located on the quad.
Franklin StreetFranklin Street is the spot to be on a Tar Heels game day. Here you’ll find bars and restaurants packed full of fellow Tar Heels fans. Franklin Street is a must if you want to get the most out of your UNC game day experience.
Tar Heel TownTar Heel Town is a great place to hit up before the game. It offers a variety of interactive games and activities including the bell tower climb and autograph signings. If you’re looking for things to do before the game starts, look no further than Tar Heel Town, which is located on the quad.
Manning LotIf you’re looking to tailgate with visiting fans then the Manning lot is the place to be as it provides a good mix of home and away fans.
Tar Heels Stadium Guide
In Game
Kenan Stadium offers a perfect place to take in a game as the picturesque scenery really adds to the overall game day experience. The fans here show a lot of passion and know all the songs, which goes a long way towards making a UNC a must see for any big time college football fan. If you’re looking for a game day atmosphere that offers a blend of beautiful scenery and passionate fans, look no further than a Tar Heels game at Kenan Stadium.
The UNC student section remains loud and rambunctious throughout the match regardless of the score. The student section really helps create the great atmosphere that can be found at a UNC football game and also helps spur on their team to victory. If you are looking to sit alongside the wildest and craziest fans at a Tar Heels games, make sure to sit here.
The Hall of Honor is a great place for any Tar Heel fan to check out before or after the game. Here you’ll be able to take a look at the history of Carolina football throughout the years. Be sure to stop in at the Charlie Justice Hall of Honor for a chance to relive the greatest moments in Tar Heels history.
Rameses the Ram has been the Tar Heels mascot since 1924. The mascot was chosen due to the team’s star fullback in 1922 Jack Merritt being nicknamed the “Battering Ram.” Rameses has stuck around ever since and has spawned two versions of the mascot a live ram and an anthropomorphic ram that is part of the cheer squad. Look for both Ramesses on the sidelines of a UNC game.
The Marching Tar Heels play throughout the game in hopes they will give the team that little extra push needed to lift them to victory. The band puts on quite the halftime show as they line up in the “Carolina” formation before playing their first song. Be sure to sing along to “Sweet Caroline”, which is traditionally played at every game.
The tunnel that leads the Tar Heels onto the field is located in the student section, so before the team takes the field, the students drum on the tarp covering the tunnel. As it gets closer to kickoff, the students begin to drum quicker and quicker until the team takes the field. If you want to take part in this tradition, make sure to get tickets in the student section as you’ll surely have an amazing experience sitting there.
Between the third and fourth quarter, Tar Heels fans hold up four fingers and make a motion similar to the Tomahawk chop. This action coupled with the music and scoreboard video get everyone pumped and ready to cheer on the Heels through the final quarter.
The Tar Pit is the official UNC student section, which remains loud and rambunctious throughout the game regardless of the score. The section really helps to create the great atmosphere that can be found at a UNC football game and also helps spur on their team to victory. If you are looking to sit alongside the wildest and craziest fans at a Tar Heels games make sure to sit here.
For we are Tar Heels Born and Bred (Rah! Rah! Rah!)
Glory Glory U.N.C.
Our hearts will live with thee
Fight! Fight! Fight the Blue and White are
Rolling to Victory!
Here Comes Carolina
Here comes Car’lina lina
Here comes Car’lina lina
We hail from NCU
We’ve got the team to win it,
We’ve got the spirit in it,
We wear the colors white and blue.
So it’s fight, fight, fight for Carolina
As Davie did in days of old;
As we rally round the Well,
Cheer that Tar Heel team like hell,
For the glory of NCU.
I'm a Tar Heel Born
UNC's Primary Fight Song
I’m a Tar Heel born
I’m a Tar Heel bred
And when I die
I’m a Tar Heel dead.
So it’s Rah, Rah, Car’lina-lina
Rah, Rah, Car’lina-lina
Rah, Rah, Car’lina-lina
Rah! Rah! Rah!
Tar Heels on Hand
Tar Heels on Hand,
To steal the Thunder from the Sky:
Then take our stand,
As every man does right by Blue and White,
We’ll give the Tar Heels a Hand,
And cheer them on to do or die (Yeah!)
All of us are for U.N.C.
and you can betcha we’re proud to be
the Tar Heels on Hand!
Go to Hell Duke
Hark the sound of Tar Heel voices
Ringing clear and true.
Singing Carolina’s praises.
Shouting N-C-U.
N-C-U!
Hail to the brightest star of all
Clear its radiance shine
Carolina priceless gem.
Receive all praises thine.
I’m a Tar Heel born, I’m a Tar Heel bred.
And when I die, I’m a Tar Heel dead.
So it’s rah-rah, Car’lina-‘lina!
Rah-rah, Car’lina-‘lina!
Rah-rah, Car’lina-‘lina!
Go to hell, Duke!
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