5 things to watch for in UNC home opener against App State

UNC hosts App State in its football home opener on Saturday, Sept. 9. Here are five things to watch for.

If you count “Week Zero,” we’re already two weeks into the college football season.

Doesn’t it seem like just yesterday, we were talking about how the first game was just days away?

There’s a full season of games ahead – and we haven’t even gotten into the thick of conference play. Week 2 matchups, which officially kick off tonight with Louisville hosting Murray State, are highlighted by the Alabama-Texas rematch at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9.

UNC played in Charlotte Week 1 against South Carolina, but now get to return home and entertain the Tar Heel faithful on Saturday against App State. The Tar Heels racked up 168 rushing yards and generated nine sacks – more than half of their 2022 total – against the Gamecocks. Carolina was just 3-3 in Kenan Stadium last year, but 11-2 the previous two seasons combined.

App State beat Gardner-Webb by three touchdowns in Boone last weekend, but struggled to do so, requiring a second-half comeback. Joey Aguilar came off the bench to throw four touchdowns in relief of starting quarterback Ryan Burger, who exited the game with a hand injury.

Carolina beat the Mountaineers in a 63-61 shootout on the field at Kidd-Brewer Stadium last year, with the two teams combining for 62 fourth-quarter points.

Will we see another high-scoring clash in Chapel Hill, a one-sided affair or something else on Saturday?