Tag: 2024 UNC Football Season

Jahvaree Ritzie amongst national leaders in which defensive category?

Jahvaree Ritzie’s hot start for UNC has him amongst college football’s most productive lineman early in the 2024 college football season.

After playing in a rotation last year, Jahvaree Ritzie is taking full advantage of his starting opportunity for the UNC football program so far in 2024.

Ritzie’s defensive prowess has North Carolina at 2-0 already, with a close Week 1 win at Minnesota and a more comfortable victory against Charlotte last weekend.

Ritzie has a Tar Heels-best five sacks and tackles for loss through two games, as he is one of many beneficiaries from new defensive coordinator Geoff Collins’ pressure-heavy scheme. UNC is still giving up big plays in the secondary, but the defensive line is doing its job.

On a line where Kaimon Rucker is supposed to be the unit’s most productive star, it’s Ritzie shining the most through two games.

Ritzie’s five sacks, which not only lead his teammates, are best in the ACC and second in the nation – only to New Mexico’s Christian Ellis.

Ritzie nabbed his first three sacks in the season-opener at Minnesota, then tacked on two more against Charlotte. His 2024 figures already passed his previous career totals, which included just 2.5 sacks combined from 2021-2023.

It’s tough for anyone to keep up Ritzie’s level of production, but it’s also a level of play I see Ritzie continuing through much of the season. With North Carolina facing NC Central this coming Saturday, I see Ritzie continuing his breakout season and adding to his sack total.

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Game time announced for UNC-James Madison Week 4 college football clash

If you’re planning to attend or watch the UNC-James Madison football game, you can now plan around kickoff time.

The North Carolina Tar Heels are enjoying a 2-0 start to their college football season, with a close win at Minnesota and a closer-than-expected victory against Charlotte in their back pocket.

UNC kicker Noah Burnette played hero in the Week 1 victory, converting all four field goal attempts and his lone extra point try, while the North Carolina offense looked more like its usual self with nearly 500 yards against Charlotte.

The Tar Heels are now preparing to welcoming North Carolina Central, fresh off its first victory of the season, to town on Saturday, Sept. 14 for a 6 p.m. kickoff.

For its third home game in a row – the following weekend on Saturday, Sept. 21 – UNC will host Sun Belt power James Madison. Kickoff time for this battle was previously TBA, but that changed on Monday afternoon.

Just as the clock passed 12 p.m. noon on Monday, Sept. 9, we learned that North Carolina and JMU will start their Week 4 battle at the same time.

This will be the Tar Heels’ first 12 p.m. kickoff of the season. UNC and Charlotte faced off at 3:30 p.m. ET last weekend, then UNC and NC Central kickoff at 6 p.m. ET this coming weekend.

The Dukes, who won their first two games this season (against Charlotte and Gardner-Webb), will enter Chapel Hill fresh off a bye week. JMU last came to Kenan Stadium in 2016, when North Carolina laid down a 56-28 beating.

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Kaimon Rucker praises UNC defensive coordinator Geoff Collins’ new scheme

UNC football players are already enjoying their new defensive coordinator after just one game into the 2024 season.

After just one game into the 2024 college football season, the North Carolina Tar Heels showed a marked defensive improvement from 2023.

Opponents averaged 405.4 yards per game against UNC last year. North Carolina nearly halved that figure in its season-opening, 19-17 win over Minnesota, limiting the Golden Gophers to just 244 yards.

Star edge rusher Kaimon Rucker, who recorded four solo tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack, credited defensive coordinator Geoff Collins for the defensive improvements.

A major reason behind those improvements was Collins’ ability to rotate players in and out of the game, something Gene Chizik didn’t do a ton of the past two seasons.

“I felt like it just allowed us to get more guys on the field, and for the guys that we needed in crucial situations, allowed them to be rested up and ready to go,” Rucker told InsideCarolina’s Jeremiah Holloway. “I know in the past, we would not substitute like that. And so a lot of guys would get tired when we needed them the most and stuff like that. And I know Coach Collins understood that was an issue in the past, and Coach (Mack) Brown knows that was an issue in the past, and for us to rotate around 20 guys, man, that’s something that we’ve been preaching for years that we need to do a better job of. And I feel like we finally are starting to do that a lot more.”

Just about every Tar Heel contributed on defense in the Week 1 win.. Defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie led UNC with three sacks and tackles for loss apiece. NC State transfer Jakeen Harris thrived from his starting safety spot, leading North Carolina with ten tackles.

Can the Tar Heels’ defense deliver another strong performance in their home opener against Charlotte?

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UNC quarterback Max Johnson releases statement on injury

UNC quarterback Max Johnson delivered some exciting news in his first media statement since suffering a season-ending broken leg.

Thanks to a much-improved defense and a perfect night from kicker Noah Burnette, the North Carolina Tar Heels hung on to beat Minnesota, 19-17, in both teams’ season opener on Thursday, Aug. 29.

UNC opened the scoring early in the second quarter, when quarterback Max Johnson evaded pressure and ran three yards into the end zone for a 6-0 lead. North Carolina never found the end zone again – and Johnson would leave the game late in the third quarter.

At first, no one knew whether Johnson suffered a knee, hip or leg injury. Johnson’s injury was later confirmed to be a broken leg, which he then required season-ending surgery on.

After spending the past eight days recovering from surgery, Johnson finally released a statement to ESPN.

In Johnson’s statement, he confirmed some good news to Tar Heel Nation. Despite likely not being able to work out for months, Johnson plans to play for UNC in 2025.

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While Johnson spends the rest of 2024 recovering from his broken leg, Conner Harrell takes over as North Carolina’s starting quarterback. Harrell had a memorable play in relief of Johnson last week, completing a fourth-quarter zone read to J.J. Jones, which set up one of Burnette’s five made kicks.

Here’s to hoping Johnson makes a speedy recovery – and we see him back in Carolina Blue next fall.

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Charlotte head football coach Biff Poggi praises UNC program

Charlotte 49ers head coach Biff Poggi gave some major praise to the UNC football program ahead of Saturday’s inaugural matchup.

After waiting nearly 10 months to play inside Kenan Stadium, the North Carolina Tar Heels will host Charlotte on Saturday for their 2024 home football opener.

UNC held on for a 19-17 victory over Minnesota last week, thanks to a perfect night from kicker Noah Burnette and a much-improved defense.

The 49ers, on the other hand, scored a second quarter touchdown in their home opener on Saturday, Aug. 31. Charlotte never scored again, as James Madison rattled off 30 unanswered points for a 30-7 victory.

Despite North Carolina’s tendency to play in-state opponents every year, in addition to annual battles with NC State and archrival Duke, the Tar Heels and 49ers have yet to play each other.

Biff Poggi, who is in just his second year as Charlotte’s head football coach, has also never coached against UNC.

That didn’t stop Poggi from calling North Carolina the state’s best college football program. This is a pretty big compliment to receive, especially with the Tar Heels playing alongside consistent programs like App State and NC State.

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UNC will actually be facing a few of its former players on Saturday: defensive back Ja’Qurious Conley, wide receiver Justin Olson and defensive back Dontae Balfour.

Can North Carolina turn in a dominant effort and start its 2024 campaign with consecutive victories?

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UNC DC Geoff Collins supporting Jahvaree Ritzie after Thursday’s big game

North Carolina Tar Heels defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie received the greatest show of support from his new defensive coordinator on Monday afternoon.

After just one game, the North Carolina Tar Heels have to love the immediate impact from new defensive coordinator Geoff Collins.

Though UNC had some notable lapses against Minnesota, including allowing the host Golden Gophers to drive and set up a game-winning field goal attempt, UNC also had a few defensive heroes that impacted its 19-17 victory.

There’s arguably no greater defensive hero than graduate defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie, who registered three tackles for loss and sacked Minnesota quarterback Max Brosmer three times.

Ritzie surpassed his career sack total in just one game, showcasing to Tar Heel Nation he has potential to be another star along the defensive line. When Ritzie wasn’t stuffing the stat sheet, he was disrupting the Gopher offense by generating pressure.

Tar Heel Nation undoubtedly enjoyed the breakout performance, but no one enjoyed Ritzie’s big night more than Collins himself.

On Monday, Sept. 2, Collins was seen wearing a Ritzie-inspired NIL shirt.

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If you watched Ritzie’s Minnesota postgame interview, he was excited about playing under Collins’ new scheme. It’s truly amazing how just one coaching change, no matter how large or small, can unlock a player’s full potential.

Expect another big game from Ritzie on Saturday, Sept. 7 in North Carolina’s home opener against Charlotte. A big game could start with know Ritzie has the support of his defensive coordinator, which means the world for these young athletes.

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Tar Heel defense showed marked improvement in first game under new DC Geoff Collins

UNC’s defense limited Minnesota to just 17 points in its season-opening victory on Thursday night.

Watching UNC’s defensive unit take the football field, most of the time, is unbearable to watch. There’s be countless missed tackles, breakdowns in coverage and hardly any pressure at the line of scrimmage.

If the Tar Heels had any semblance of solid defense in either 2022 or 2023, I feel confident they win the ACC. Such wasn’t the case, though, with a unit performing so bad in 2023 that Gene Chizik lost his defensive coordinator job.

Through just one game in 2024 under new defensive coordinator Geoff Collins, North Carolina’s defense looks significantly better.

UNC escaped Minnesota with a season-opening, 19-17 victory on Thursday, Aug. 29. While the Golden Gophers took advantage of a few Tar Heel mishaps on their final drive, it was the Tar Heel defense who helped the Tar Heels limit a Power 4 program – on the road – to under 20 points.

North Carolina’s strong defensive output can be attributed to virtually everyone, though defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie and defensive back Jakeen Harris played the largest roles.

Ritzie, who is a full-time starter this year after playing all 13 games in a reserve role last season, led all players with three sacks and tackles for loss apiece. Harris, who transferred from rival NC State in the offseason, led all players with 10 tackles.

Last season, it’d be a miracle if UNC could keep a team under 20 points in one half. The Tar Heels did that over an entire game Thursday night.

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Jahvaree Ritzie proves to be UNC’s defensive difference-maker in win over Minnesota

Jahvaree Ritzie enjoyed the type of breakout game UNC’s defense needed in Thursday night’s season-opening win over Minnesota.

I’m still in shock about how UNC escaped Minnesota with a 19-17, season-opening victory that came down to the final whistle.

The Golden Gophers enjoyed a couple of chunks plays to set up their game-winning field goal attempt, only for Dragan Kesich to miss his second kick. North Carolina, on the contrary, enjoyed a perfect night from kicker Noah Burnette.

There was another Tar Heel – on the defensive side of the ball – who played a near-perfect game.

That Tar Heel was defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie, who led all players with three sacks and tackles for loss apiece. Ritzie eclipsed his career sack total in just one game, as Ritzie had 2.5 sacks combined in his first three UNC seasons.

Ritzie was North Carolina’s leader at the line of scrimmage, constantly disrupting Minnesota’s rhythm by bursting through its offensive line, even if he didn’t record a sack or tackle. Ritzie’s production showed how good of a defensive unit the Tar Heels can carry throughout the fall, particularly under new defensive coordinator Geoff Collins.

Check out Ritzie’s postgame interview below, in which he took a humble approach but was proud of UNC’s effort:

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Ritzie gets another golden chance to lead North Carolina at the line of scrimmage on Saturday, Sept. 7, as the Tar Heels return to Kenan Stadium for their home opener against Charlotte.

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Tar Heels escape Minnesota with season-opening victory after missed field goal

Thursday night wasn’t pretty, but the UNC football team found a miraculous way to escape Minnesota with a 2-point victory.

The UNC football team couldn’t have asked for a crazier start to its 2024 season on Thursday night at Minnesota.

That crazy start ended with a missed field goal by Golden Gophers kicker Dragan Kesich, as North Carolina escaped Minneapolis with a crucial, 19-17 victory.

Minnesota’s walk-off chance was set up by a Tar Heels’ pass interference call and a couple big plays: a 20-yard completion, plus another first down. For a UNC defense that played surprisingly well most of the night, it picked the worst time to slip up.

Kesich’s kick initially looked good, just inside the right upright, but the football sailed just right of the post. If his kick had been any closer to the center of the field, North Carolina goes back to Kenan Stadium with a tough loss.

The Tar Heels had much better luck in their kicking game, with Lou Groza Award nominee Noah Burnette nailing four field goals, including the eventual game-winner with 1:44 remaining.

UNC first took a 7-0 lead on Max Johnson’s second-quarter touchdown run. Johnson would later leave the game with a scary leg injury in the third quarter, forcing North Carolina to put Conner Harrell in.

The Golden Gophers quickly responded to the Tar Heels’ initial score, recording two consecutive rushing touchdowns and sending them into the half with a 14-7 lead. There wasn’t a single touchdown in the second half, though, as Burnette outscored Kesich 12-3 in points.

North Carolina went from holding its breath to a massive celebration – all in a matter of seconds. Players and coaches can now enjoy the long weekend, gameplan for the Sept. 7 home opener against Charlotte and learn what life without Max Johnson is going to be like.

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UNC football program ranks Top 3 in these categories over last five seasons

Despite late-season collapses in 2022 and 2023, the UNC football program ranks amongst the ACC’s best in a few categories.

The North Carolina Tar Heels don’t care about their 2023 collapse anymore. UNC is hungry and eager to prove it’s a better team this year, starting with Thursday’s season opener at Minnesota.

North Carolina enters 2024 with plenty of talent, starting with running back Omarion Hampton. That talent spread also includes linebacker Kaimon Rucker, cornerback Alijah Huzzie, wide receiver J.J. Jones, tight ends Bryson Nesbit and John Copenhaver, plus defensive lineman Desmond Evans.

There’s a lot to be excited about this season, but for the purpose of today’s article, we’re looking back on the Tar Heels’ success – both on and off the field – over the last five years.

Believe it or not, despite UNC’s tendency to fizzle out towards the end of its seasons, UNC’s win totals point to it being a successful program. North Carolina’s 38 total victories since 2019 – and 24 ACC victories – are tied for second in the ACC.

The Tar Heels also quietly produce a lot of NFL Draft Picks, with their 18 selections since 2020 also tied for second in the ACC.

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Finally, for all the jokes NC State fans make about UNC offering fake classes, our players are a pretty smart bunch. North Carolina is third amongst Power 4 (ACC, SEC, Big 10, Big 12) schools – and tops in the ACC – in Academic Progress Rate.

If you’re a Tar Heels fan, you have to feel pretty good about the young men in the football program.

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