UNC Football: Cedric Gray speaks on the play of the defense

The UNC Football team saw an improved defense on Saturday night against South Carolina, and team captain Cedric Gray took notice.

UNC football linebacker Cedric Gray spoke with the media after Saturday’s 31-17 win over South Carolina, which included a dominant performance from the defensive side of the ball. The Tar Heel defense had a performance for the ages, recording nine sacks, the second most in program history in a single game since the NCAA began recording sacks as a stat in the year 2000. Was Gray surprised that the defense had nine sacks and 16 tackles for loss?

"” I’m not surprised to be honest with you. I told y’all we got some pass rushers. Kaimon Rucker, Amari Gainer, Desmond Evans, I mean, I could go down the list of the whole D-line. You know, I even had a sack myself tonight. So, I’m not surprised at all. I knew that we had the ability to do this. I think this offseason, we really tuned in to what we needed to do to get better as a defense, and it showed."

While the rest of the country, including many UNC football fans, have been having reserved thoughts about improvement among the defensive unit during the offseason, Gray was asked about silencing their critics.

"Like you said, it’s just one game. It’s only the start. But I definitely do think we sent the message tonight. We just got to keep building off of it and keep it going throughout the season."

They certainly took a step in that direction on Saturday night. Just as he did in 2022 when he was the leading tackler across power five, Gray again led the team in tackles against the Gamecocks. On Saturday night, he had nine tackles, including 1.5 sacks and 1.5 tackles for loss. Now, the next challenge will be building off of that momentum.

The media also asked Gray if the win was for Devontez ‘Tez’ Walker. His response was very appropriate:

"It was for a couple of people. It was for Tez. For Boykins. It was for a lot of people. It was for Mack, he got his 100th win tonight. You know, I think it was just a big game for everybody. It was for me. I’ve never won a game in this stadium in my hometown. There’s multiple reasons why this game was important for people."

Boykins, we found out pregame that he was out for the season. However, Gray is correct that it was important for many people. It was also important for the fanbase. UNC football fans have been longing for a big win for a long time. To start the season with a win against an SEC team and to see the defense show as much improvement as it did, is very exciting for all Tar Heel fans.

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