CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - North Carolina came into the season touting a ``New Blue,'' a slogan meant to indicate clear progress in coach John Bunting's sixth season at his alma mater.<br>
<br>
But after two games, the new has looked a lot like the old inconsistent offense, iffy defense and plenty of mistakes along the way. And that's given the Tar Heels yet another early must-win as they head into Saturday's game against Division I-AA Furman.<br>
<br>
The Tar Heels (0-2) have lost a tight game to Rutgers and a lopsided one to Virginia Tech so far, committing eight turnovers and averaging just 13 points. Both losses have come at home, a bad start that has already prompted Bunting to change quarterbacks, elevating Cam Sexton past Joe Dailey for this weekend's game.<br>
<br>
But Bunting insisted it isn't time to panic, a refrain that has popped up repeatedly during his tenure.<br>
<br>
``It does nobody any good,'' Bunting said. ``I'm not that kind of guy anyway. Never have been, never will. I want to get us to focus on getting better. I want us to continue to learn how to play football. I've got a bunch of players that are pretty good.''<br>
<br>
So do the Paladins (2-0), ranked fourth in the I-AA poll. Running back Cedrick Gipson has run for 187 yards and a touchdown in two games, powering a rushing attack that has averaged 203 yards. Fullback Jerome Felton has added two touchdowns and run for 163 yards.<br>
<br>
North Carolina has had mixed results against the run this season. Ray Rice ran for 201 yards and a career-high three touchdowns in the Scarlet Knights' 21-16 win in the opener, but the Tar Heels' defense bounced back by holding the Hokies to 224 yards in a 35-10 loss marred by a blocked punt and five turnovers.<br>
<br>
The Tar Heels also have to worry about their play at quarterback. Sexton, a redshirt freshman, will make his first career start after coming on in relief of Dailey, a junior transfer from Nebraska who threw four interceptions in the first two games.<br>
<br>
Bunting said Dailey will still play, while he hopes Sexton who threw two interceptions against the Hokies shows some better decision-making to avoid the mistakes that have undermined the Tar Heels' attack. North Carolina is tied for 10th in the 12-team Atlantic Coast Conference in scoring, but fourth in total offense at 335.5 yards per game.<br>
<br>
``If Joe's playing really well, he needs to stay in and keep his rhythm going,'' Sexton said. ``If I'm playing well, hopefully I can keep my rhythm going.''<br>
<br>
The game marks a happy memory for Furman head coach Bobby Lamb. Seven years ago, Furman traveled to Kenan Stadium and beat an injury-ravaged North Carolina squad 28-3 the program's only win in 15 games against I-A opponents since 1987. Lamb, in his fifth season as head coach, was an assistant for the '99 team.<br>
<br>
While none of the players on either team were involved in that game, Lamb said the Paladins could gain confidence from the program's performances against I-A opponents, including a three-point overtime loss to Pittsburgh in 2004.<br>
<br>
``They read the media guides. They know what we did and where we've been,'' Lamb said. ``They can draw from all those experiences, especially the ones that played in the Pittsburgh game. They know we've had some success against Division I opponents, and certainly going back to Chapel Hill we draw some good memories.''<br>
<br>
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
