Marquise Williams: ‘Nobody shows us respect’

Greensboro, N.C. — It’s been 34 years since North Carolina’s last conference title in football, and in the nine-year history of the ACC Championship Game, the Tar Heels have yet to represent the Coastal Division a single time. On Sunday at the ACC Football Kickoff, quarterback Marquise Williams said he’s ready to change that.

“A lot of people talk about Carolina, and they don’t talk about Carolina as a football school,” Williams said. “That’s what kind of ticks me off about the whole situation. Nobody shows us respect.”

Although defending national champion Florida State is heavily favored to win the ACC this year, Williams claims that his team is looking for more than just a division title.

“The other day, I started to break down the huddle. We were saying ‘ACC Coastal,’ but I said, ‘we’re going to break it down as ACC Champions.’ I want to change things around here.

“Everybody, they overlook us, and we’re tired of being overlooked.”

As a sophomore, Williams threw for 1,698 yards and 15 touchdowns while also leading the team in rushing with 536 yards. He was 4-2 as the starter.