Omarion Hampton’s huge first half helps UNC build 7-point halftime lead

The first half of Saturday’s UNC-NC Central game was anything BUT easy for the Tar Heels.

To start the first quarter, Central scored on its first drive of the game, marching 75 yards in 12 plays. Eagles running back J’Mari Taylor capped off the clock-draining drive with 5-yard touchdown run.

North Carolina was shutout in the first quarter, due to a strong NCCU defense and inability to convert first downs consistently. Just like last week, though, the Tar Heels’ defense shifted momentum, forcing a muffed punt near the end of the first quarter.

Star running back Omarion Hampton, who hadn’t scored a touchdown in UNC’s first two games, opened UNC’s scoring just 22 second into the second quarter. Hampton capped off a 4-play, 41-yard drive on an 11-yard touchdown run.

Just under five minutes later, Hampton scored his second touchdown on a 2-yard run. North Carolina leaned on its running game once again in the first half – and it paid off.

2 TDs on the night?

Just another day at the office for @OmarionHampton 🤷‍♂️

📺 ACCNX | @UNCFootball pic.twitter.com/LUhPLADNR7

— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) September 14, 2024

While Hampton should continue his strong performance for the Tar Heels in the second half, Conner Harrell and Jacolby Criswell need to step up at quarterback. If UNC can keep its opponents guessing on what kind of plays it runs, UNC’s offense can be significantly more dangerous.

But in the sense of this article, there’s no point in fixing something that works really well. Hampton is who works really well.