Even with a couple of early hiccups in their 2024 home football opener against Charlotte, the North Carolina Tar Heels played significantly better than last week at Minnesota.
After trading scoreless drives to open the day, UNC scored on three straight possessions to break away from the 49ers in a 38-20 victory.
UNC finished its day with 490 yards, significantly better than the 252 it registered in Week One.
Charlotte nearly punched back with a couple of touchdowns, driving deep into the North Carolina red zone on its second and third possessions, thanks to a couple of long drives led by starting quarterback Max Brown.
The Tar Heel defense, like it did last week against Minnesota, stood tall and limited the 49ers to a pair of field goals. Jahvaree Ritzie continued his strong start to 2024, recording two sacks and becoming the first Tar Heel with five sacks in two games since Kareem Martin in 2013.
Conner Harrell, who will be North Carolina’s starting quarterback for the remainder of 2024, finished his day with two touchdown passes – one to Bryson Nesbit and another to Christian Hamilton – and a rushing touchdown. He looked a lot more comfortable on Saturday, particularly after being thrust into fourth-quarter action in relief of Max Johnson last week.
Nate McCollum also added a rushing touchdown on a 37-yard, second-quarter end-around.
Omarion Hampton looked like his usual self for UNC, running for 80 yards through two quarters, but he left the game early with an undisclosed injury. True freshman running back Davion Gause played extremely well in relief of Hampton, picking up 109 yards and scoring his first collegiate touchdown.
Hampton wasn’t the only injured Tar Heel, as star edge rusher Kaimon Rucker was announced out before the game. He has a lower-body injury that will require him to miss a couple weeks.
North Carolina has another winnable game next weekend, hosting the FCS North Carolina Central Eagles.
Will injuries to Hampton and Rucker, UNC’s two best players, cause them to struggle? Or can the Tar Heels improve to 3-0 and get their stars some much-needed rest?
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