2001 Peach Bowl Explained

Year Game Played:2001
Title Sponsor:Chick-fil-A
Game Name:Peach Bowl
Football Season:2001
Visitor Name Short:North Carolina
Visitor Nickname:Tar Heels
Visitor School:University of North Carolina
Home Name Short:Auburn
Home Nickname:Tigers
Home School:Auburn University
Visitor Record:7 - 5
Visitor Conference:ACC
Home Record:7 - 4
Home Conference:SEC
Visitor Coach:John Bunting
Home Coach:Tommy Tuberville
Visitor 1Q:7
Visitor 2Q:3
Visitor 3Q:6
Visitor 4Q:0
Home 1Q:0
Home 2Q:0
Home 3Q:0
Home 4Q:10
Date Game Played:December 31
Stadium:Georgia Dome
City:Atlanta, Georgia
Referee:Jon Bible (Big 12)
Us Network:ESPN
Us Announcers Link:List of announcers of major college bowl games
Us Announcers:Ron Franklin and John Madden

The 2001 Peach Bowl featured the North Carolina Tar Heels and Auburn Tigers.[1]

Background

North Carolina, in the first season under new head coach John Bunting, started their season by losing the first three games of the year. However, they rebounded with five wins in a row (which included wins over #6 Florida State and #13 Clemson). This was followed by losses to #23 Georgia Tech (while ranked) and Wake Forest before closing out the regular season with two straight wins. This was the first bowl appearance for North Carolina in three years along with their fifth appearance in the Peach Bowl. The Tigers won six of their first seven games, which included a win over #1 ranked Florida. However, after being ranked #17, they would lose three of their next four games, with a December loss to LSU costing them the chance to a second straight SEC Championship Game. This was their third ever appearance in the Peach Bowl.

Game summary

North Carolina scored on a 10-yard Willie Parker touchdown run, as UNC led 7–0 after one quarter of play. In the second quarter, Jeff Reed kicked a 22-yard field goal, extending North Carolina's lead to 10–0. In the third quarter, quarterback Ronald Curry scored on a 62-yard touchdown run giving North Carolina a 16–0 lead. In the fourth quarter, Damon Duval kicked a 34-yard field goal, and Daniel Cobb threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Lorenzo Diamond, as Auburn made the final score 16–10.

Statistical leaders

Passing

Rushing

Notes and References

  1. Web site: North Carolina vs. Auburn. USA Today. December 31, 2001. March 22, 2019.