UNC Football: The story behind playing 'Enter Sandman' at practice ahead Virginia Tech game

The North Carolina Tar Heels are pulling out all the stops to prepare for their opening game against the Virginia Tech Hokies. Surprisingly, Metallica seems to be a big part of their game plan. 

Famously, Virginia Tech enters Lane Stadium to the band’s hit song, ‘Enter Sandman.’ From the first chord of the guitar, it’s deafening inside, and haunting for opponents.

In preparation, the Tar Heels are continually playing the song at practice. UNC cornerbacks coach Dre Bly elaborated on why North Carolina is placing an emphasis on the Hokies’ entrance song. 

“Well, coaches do various things to try to get the guys prepared for the game. And actually, it’s a pretty cool song,” Bly said, per Inside Carolina on YouTube. “You know, when I had my travel baseball team and had my youth football team, that was one of my go-to songs.

“When they started playing it a couple of years ago, I was jumping and dancing like it was my song. But, no, it’s a great environment. It was something to get the guys going. But for the most part, we know that the stadium is going to be rocking and we look forward to going to Blacksburg for the game.”

‘Our guys are fired up for the opportunity to go back there.’

While it may be an awesome sight, Bly hopes it doesn’t propel the Hokies to an upset of the Tar Heels. To continue, Bly states that his team is chomping at the bit for the opportunity to go back to Blacksburg. 

“It’s a great environment. I’ve always heard great things about it. You know, with all the guys that I played with or grew up with back home and Keith Burnell and those guys, D-Hall [DeAngelo Hall],” said Bly. “And so, that to me, that’s one of the best places to play in college football. 

“And actually when I went there for the first time in 2019 I was fired up, man, it kind of brought chills, down my body. But it’s definitely a great environment. I know that’s a football town. So I know our guys are fired up for the opportunity to go back there. Looking forward to the game. We know those guys are going to be fired up.”

UNC Football: ‘Nothing Else Matters’

To quote another Metallica song, ‘Nothing Else Matters’ for North Carolina. If they’re unable to defeat Virginia Tech opening night, their championship aspirations slip away before they can grow.

The Tar Heels have gigantic expectations for the 2021 season. Sam Howell is entering a season where he’ll become the number one quarterback in team history, and the program is finally getting some respect. They were ranked 10th in the Associated Press preseason rankings.

Afterwards, Mack Brown spoke on the team’s ranking.

“We’re a preseason top-10 team with a whole lot of work to do,” Brown said, per Inside Carolina. “And that’s the other message to the players. Don’t sit around and start thinking about yourself. We’re going to a hostile place that’s a very well-coached football team in Virginia Tech that doesn’t like us very much and has a circle around our head, so get better, get better. Quit talking about how good you are and continue to get better.”

While UNC Football attempts to have a historic season, it’s evident that ‘Enter Sandman’ and the Virginia Tech Hokies are stuck in their head.

Image courtesy of Michael Shroyer / Getty Images