UNC coach John Bunting's "hot seat" meter ratcheted up about 52 degrees Saturday -- which is also the number of points the Tar Heels' defense allowed in its 45-point drubbing by No. 19 Clemson.

Asked Sunday if he had a message for the fans, Bunting, whose team is now 1-3, said: "Not everything's broken. It certainly looked that way on the field, and I can certainly understand. There are a lot of good things happening in this football program. And I really do believe we are going to be a good football program before not too long. They've got to hang in there."

GOOD CALL

Leaving starting QB Cam Sexton in the game, despite the lopsided score. Bunting said he wanted to let the redshirt freshman "go through this and suffer through this and work to get better."

THIS WON'T MAKE THE COACH'S SHOW

You knew things would be bad on Saturday when, on UNC's first offensive play, Sexton turned the wrong way to hand off the ball, and was dropped for a loss.

You knew things were worse when Clemson's only punt of the game was nullified when wide receiver Jesse Holley, playing on special teams, ran into the kicker.

MATCHUP THAT MATTERED

UNC's defensive line vs. Clemson's offensive line. The Tar Heels got pushed all over the place again, allowing a school-record seven rushing touchdowns.

GAME BALLS GO TO

* The smattering of baby blue-clad fans at Memorial Stadium who didn't leave when the score was 21-0. Or 35-0. Or 52-0.

PENALTY MARKERS GO TO

* UNC's coaches. Bunting said Sunday the team is going back to the fundamentals this week. But at this point, shouldn't those fundamentals be instilled already?

LOOKING AHEAD

Two years ago -- after being whipped by Utah 46-16 before a bye week -- Connor Barth kicked a 42-yard game-winning field goal against Miami that turned around Carolina's season, and likely saved Bunting's job.

Talk about deja vu.

After this bye week, Carolina -- which has lost reserve cornerback Jordan Hemby to a torn ACL -- will play a game at Miami on Oct. 7. The Tar Heels would like to have a similar outcome.