The North Carolina Tar Heels played NC Central way closer than they should’ve in Saturday’s victory.
UNC only led the visiting Eagles by seven heading into the final quarter, then exploded for 28 fourth-quarter points. North Carolina was harmed by 16 penalties – 10 of which came in the first half.
While the Tar Heels’ offense struggled for the first three quarters, there was one Tar Heel who compiled the best game of his young 2024 season: Omarion Hampton, the best running back in college football.
Hampton played so well Saturday that, on Monday afternoon, he was named the ACC Running Back of the Week.
After NC Central scored halfway through the opening quarter, Hampton opened the second quarter scoring with his first of three touchdowns: an 11-yard run. Four-and-a-half minutes later, Hampton scored UNC’s eventual game-winning points on a 2-yard run, making the score 14-7.
Neither team scored in the third quarter, then Hampton added his third touchdown – on a 4-yard run – just five minutes into the final frame.
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When the clock hit zero, Hampton finished his night with 210 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries. This was Hampton’s second career 200-yard game, as he did the same against App State last year.
What will Hampton do for an encore against JMU this weekend?
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