In UNC’s season-opening win against South Carolina last week, it was British Brooks’ turn to lead the Tar Heels’ deep rushing attack.
UNC fans also were rarely on the edges of their seats, as the Tar Heels’ defense limited the Gamecocks to three second-half points and sacked Spencer Rattler nine times.
Tonight’s home opener against App State featured another dangerous rusher in Omarion Hampton, but the Tar Heels’ defense looked a lot more like Swiss cheese.
Despite allowing the visiting Mountaineers to rack up nearly 500 yards and take the lead on five separate occasions, UNC rode a 234-yard, 3-touchdown performance from Hampton and made its first fourth down stop in double-overtime, to down App State by a 40-34 mark and move to 2-0.
The Tar Heels won the overtime coin toss and chose to defer, giving the Mountaineers the football first. Starting running back Nate Noel marched App right down the field, giving it a 33-27 lead with his 7-yard touchdown run. Kicker Michael Hughes converted on the extra point to make it 34-27.
UNC responded immediately with Hampton’s third and final touchdown of the game. Tar Heels kicker Ryan Coe, who missed a potential game-winning field goal to end regulation, cashed in on his extra point to tie things at 34.
Per rules of college overtime, Carolina got the ball back. App State held UNC quarterback Drake Maye in check for most of the game, limiting him to 208 passing yards, but fell victim to his 13-yard, read-option touchdown run that proved to be the eventual, game-winning score.
When Carolina needed a big-time play, its best player delivered.
The Mountaineers stopped UNC’s ensuing 2-point attempt, sending a wave of panic throughout Kenan Stadium. The game story was writing itself – Carolina punches the ball into the end zone, only for defense to falter again.
Knowing the magnitude of this matchup and what moving to 2-0 meant for the future of their season, however, the Tar Heels’ defense rose to the occasion on the ensuing drive.
UNC made Aguilar uncomfortable and contained App’s strong ground game. Aguilar threw an incomplete pass on first down, the Heels prevented Noel from gaining the edge on second down and Alijah Huzzie, the East Tennessee State transfer, made a game-saving tackle on third down.
The Mountaineers were 5-for-5 on fourth down – up until Carolina made its most crucial stop in double-overtime to end yet another thriller.
While defense made the game-saving play, it was Hampton who played hero for UNC and kept it in the game. In Brooks’ absence, Hampton ran for 234 yards and three touchdowns, including the tying score in the first overtime. He was the reason Carolina had any semblance of consistency on offense, with Maye struggling to find rhythm and not throwing a single touchdown pass.
Regardless if Brooks returns to the field next week, it’d be hard to take carries away from Hampton based on tonight’s performance.
Hampton played superhero tonight and is the main reason Carolina remains undefeated.
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