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CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- North Carolina coach Larry Fedora spent the past two seasons saying it was time for his Tar Heels to compete for an Atlantic Coast Conference division title.Now that his Tar Heels have won one, the next step is winning an ACC championship and topping a season in which his team matched a program record for wins.You cant do it every once in a while, Fedora said of winning the Coastal Division and reaching the ACC title game. You need to be there. We need to get back in that game and play whoevers going to be in it. . We need to be there to keep progressing the way we want.High expectations follow an 11-win season that included an 8-0 run through the ACC behind a high-scoring offense that provided enough cover for a bend-but-dont-break defense. North Carolina (11-3) lost two shootouts to end the season, first against then-No. 1 Clemson in the ACC title game and against Baylor in the Russell Athletic Bowl.Along the way, the Tar Heels reached the top 10 for the first time since 1997.They enter this year as the preseason division favorite.We worked extremely hard last year and I think guys finally understand how that translates into success on the field, returning all-ACC tailback Elijah Hood said. Everyones trying to do a little bit more, trying to push themselves to be a little bit better. If everyone does that the team as a whole is just going to be better.Here are things to know about North Carolina for the 2016 season:BIG NUMBERSThe Tar Heels averaged school records of 40.7 points and 486.9 yards last year, highlighted by scoring 125 points combined against Miami and Duke in blowout division wins. The fast-paced attack has been the calling card for the Tar Heels first four seasons under Fedora, and the return of Hood along with receivers Ryan Switzer and Mack Hollins give new starting quarterback Mitch Trubisky plenty of weapons.I believe we have the talent to be better than our numbers said we were last year, Fedora said.TRENDING UPWARD?The defense went from record-setting bad in 2014 to adequate in its first season under defensive coordinator and former Auburn head coach Gene Chizik. And thats really all it took for the Tar Heels to make a leap. North Carolina allowed 24.5 points and 435.9 yards last year, an improvement of about 15 points and 60 yards per game. It loses linebacker leaders Jeff Schoettmer and Shakeel Rashad, but boasts a strong back end with cornerbacks Des Lawrence and M.J. Stewart.SEASON OPENERThe Tar Heels have a measuring-stick opener when they travel to Atlanta to face Georgia in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game on Sept. 3. Georgia has a new coach in Kirby Smart, so Fedoras staff will be guessing on exactly what to expect. North Carolina is looking for its first win against a Southeastern Conference opponent since beating Tennessee in the Music City Bowl to end the 2010 season. Winning that game would be a big credibility boost nationally for Fedoras program.KEY GAMESThe Tar Heels have two big ACC road games that stand out: at Atlantic Division power Florida State on Oct. 1 followed two weeks later by a trip to preseason Coastal No. 2 pick Miami, led by new coach Mark Richt and quarterback Brad Kaaya.PREDICTIONThe Coastal Division hasnt had a repeat champion since 2011. The Tar Heels appear positioned to buck that trend and look strong for nine or 10 wins.---Follow Aaron Beard on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/aaronbeardap and the APs college football site at http://collegefootball.ap.org Custom Greg Maddux Jersey . Cote was eligible to become a free agent Feb. 15. 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Penrith have left the door open for Jamie Soward to begin his NRL coaching career at the club after announcing his immediate release to the London Broncos.Penrith supremo Phil Gould on Thursday paid tribute to the 31-year-old, who was labelled as the clubs marquee signing when he moved to the foot of the mountains ahead of the 2014 season.However, his demotion to reserve grade in round 13, coupled with rookie Nathan Clearys stunning ascension to the top grade, clouded Sowards future at the club.Fellow first-year playmaker Te Maire Martin is also considered a player of the future after making his debut in round three before succumbing to a shoulder injury. He is expected back in three weeks.Jamie feels the time is now right to pursue an opportunity to finish his career in England, Gould said in a club statement.How playing careers begin and end is not an exact science but he has recognised there are a number of emerging talents at the club who deserve the chance to progress.Jamie has been wonderful for the Panthers and has done everything we have ever asked of him. He has been a leader, on and off the field, and played a key role in the development of our younger players.Soward is likely to have made his final appearance in the NRL, where he played 224 games across three clubs in 12 seasons since making his debut in 2005.However, Gould hintted the former NSW State of Origin representative would be back in Penrith colours as a coach following his stint in England.ddddddddddddIf Jamie sees a future for himself in coaching, once his playing days have come to an end, it is my intention that he will begin that coaching career here at the Panthers, Gould said.Soward thanked the club for giving him another opportunity in the NRL.@PenrithPanthers thanks for the memories. Thanks for having me. #panthergang. Gonna miss the boys and fans but I will be back. #533, Soward tweeted.It will be Sowards second stint with the Broncos in three years, having played nine games with the English club back in 2014 following his inglorious mid-season exit from St George Illawarra.It was at Wollongong where Soward established himself in the NRL, scoring 977 points in 140 games in the Red V, including a 2011 premiership win under master coach Wayne Bennett.However, a falling out with then-coach Steve Price pushed Soward out of the Dragons, moving on to England before taking a three-year deal at the rebuilding Panthers.Regarded as owning the best kicking game on his day, Soward finishes with a total 1337 points in the NRL, and also played three games in 2011 for NSW in 2011. ' ' '