Tag: Appalachian State

WATCH: Omarion Hampton opens the scoring for UNC with 68-yard TD

Omarion Hampton starts the scoring party for UNC, speeding downfield for a 68-yard touchdown against App State.

For the kind of football game UNC and App State played in last year (63-61 UNC win), it was surprising to see both teams scoreless after the first quarter of today’s game.

Both schools had chances to score early – the Tar Heels failed to convert on a fourth-and-1 deep in Mountaineer territory, while App State kicker Michael Hughes missed a 40-yard field goal.

Hughes converted on his second chance, this time from 46 yards out, giving the Mountaineers a 3-0 lead four minutes into the second quarter.

That advantage was short-lived, however, as UNC’s offense finally woke up.

Omarion Hampton, starting at running back for the Tar Heels in wake of British Brooks’ new lower-body injury, bursted through the App State defense for a 68-yard touchdown run and a 6-3 UNC lead.

Not even at halftime yet, Hampton has has 95 yards and a score. It’s encouraging to see this type of production from Hampton, especially when Brooks, who was ruled out before the game, ran for 100 yards in the opener against South Carolina.

Will Hampton add any more touchdowns before the game is over? Stay tuned to find out.

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UNC Football names captains for home opener

Corey Gaynor, Kaimon Rucker, Ben Kiernan and suspended wide receiver Devontez Walker are game captains for UNC’s home football opener.

There’s no feeling for a college football team that compares to its home opener.

The players spend all offseason thinking about this moment – running out of the tunnel to thousands of cheering fans. Teams build the anticipation by swaying back and forth in their tunnels, the PA announcer channels the hype music and – BOOM – here comes your favorite team.

We’re already three weeks into the college football season and it’s now UNC’s turn to host its home opener.

The Tar Heels take on Appalachian State at 5:15 p.m. today, within the friendly confines of Kenan Stadium. When these two in-state rivals matched up last year in Boone, a combined 124 points were scored, most in an FBS matchup since UCLA’s 67-63 triumph at Washington State in 2019.

Adding onto the excitement of their home opener, the Heels named their game captains: center Corey Gaynor, jack linebacker Kaimon Rucker, punter Ben Keirnan and an honorary captain, the young man who has been wronged countless times by the NCAA, Devontez Walker.

Rucker was an absolute stud last week, generating two of the Tar Heels’ nine sacks and a game-high 5.5 tackles for loss.

Gaynor helped pave holes for a UNC ground game that combined for 168 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Kiernan only punted twice, but racked up 85 yards on his punts for a 42.5 yard average.

There’s no doubt that Walker will be cheered for the loudest when Carolina takes the field this afternoon. Expect to hear several “Free Tez” chants break out and for UNC players to be sporting those words on warm-up gear. You can best bet that if the NCAA is mentioned over the loudspeakers, fans will join in a chorus of boos.

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5 things to watch for in UNC home opener against App State

UNC hosts App State in its football home opener on Saturday, Sept. 9. Here are five things to watch for.

If you count “Week Zero,” we’re already two weeks into the college football season.

Doesn’t it seem like just yesterday, we were talking about how the first game was just days away?

There’s a full season of games ahead – and we haven’t even gotten into the thick of conference play. Week 2 matchups, which officially kick off tonight with Louisville hosting Murray State, are highlighted by the Alabama-Texas rematch at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9.

UNC played in Charlotte Week 1 against South Carolina, but now get to return home and entertain the Tar Heel faithful on Saturday against App State. The Tar Heels racked up 168 rushing yards and generated nine sacks – more than half of their 2022 total – against the Gamecocks. Carolina was just 3-3 in Kenan Stadium last year, but 11-2 the previous two seasons combined.

App State beat Gardner-Webb by three touchdowns in Boone last weekend, but struggled to do so, requiring a second-half comeback. Joey Aguilar came off the bench to throw four touchdowns in relief of starting quarterback Ryan Burger, who exited the game with a hand injury.

Carolina beat the Mountaineers in a 63-61 shootout on the field at Kidd-Brewer Stadium last year, with the two teams combining for 62 fourth-quarter points.

Will we see another high-scoring clash in Chapel Hill, a one-sided affair or something else on Saturday?

UNC Football: How to watch home opener vs. App State

The UNC football program will host App State on Saturday, Sept. 9 in a rematch of last year’s thriller. We’ll help you tune into this game.

The UNC football program and its fans are riding an emotional high, with the Tar Heels dominating South Carolina defensively in a 31-17, Week 1 victory under the bright lights of Bank of America Stadium.

UNC controlled the ground game with 168 rushing yards – 103 of those came from British Brooks in his first game since 2021. Drake Maye threw for 269 yards and two touchdowns. Most importantly, the defense – which shocked the entire college football world – generated nine sacks against Spencer Rattler.

The Tar Heels only faced one deficit, for two minutes in the second quarter, then took the lead for good on Kobe Paysour’s touchdown grab.

UNC returns to Chapel Hill this week for its home opener, as it clashes with App State in a rematch of last year’s thriller. The Mountaineers are coming off an exciting win over Labor Day Weekend, generating a comeback of their own over Gardner-Webb for a 45-24 victory.

If you can’t make it to Chapel Hill to join the Tar Heel faithful, we’ll tell you how you can tune in and cheer on the boys in baby blue:

UNC-App State TV, RADIO, AND STREAMING INFORMATION

WHAT: North Carolina (1-0, 0-0 ACC) vs. Appalachian State (1-0, 0-0 Sun Belt)

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 9 at 5:15 p.m. ET

LOCATION: Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, NC

TV: ACC Network (Watch and stream the game live on CW Sports)

ANNOUNCERS: Wes Durham (play-by-play), Tim Hasslebeck (color commentator), Taylor Tannebaum (reporter)

RADIO: Tar Heel Sports Network. Jones Angell, play-by-play;
Brian Simmons, analyst; Lee Pace, sideline

SATELLITE RADIO: SiriusXM (Channel 193

WEBSITE: fuboTV (try it free)

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UNC football defensive keys to the game vs App State

Taking a look at the defensive keys to the game for the UNC football program against Appalachian State.

The North Carolina Tar Heels are coming off an impressive 31-17 win over South Carolina to kick off their season, but what must they do to have a repeat performance in week two against Appalachian State?

Many projected Drake Maye to be the reason for UNC’s victory in a battle of two great offenses. However, that was not the case, with the defense mainly playing the hero role to save the game.

The defense displayed consistent pressure on the line, getting to Spencer Rattler repeatedly for nine sacks. The defensive effort was led by Kaimon Rucker, who earned Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week honors after finishing the game with eight tackles and two sacks.

Fans could not be more enthusiastic about the season following week one defensive performance. However, there is still room for improvement. Here are a few keys UNC will need to do on the defensive side to repeat their week one performance.

UNC vs. App State: Game preview, info, prediction and more

UNC will play App State on Saturday, Sept. 9 in its home opener. The last time these two teams clashed, offensive fireworks exploded.

Both the UNC and App State football programs are riding high after Week 1 victories.

The Tar Heels rode a strong ground game and uncharacteristically strong defensive effort to a 31-17 victory over South Carolina, while the Mountaineers came back in the third quarter to down FCS opponent Gardner-Webb, 45-24.

Coincidentally, UNC and App are now just two days away from clashing in Week 2 action. We all remember what happened when these two in-state rivals last took the gridiron – a combined 62 fourth-quarter points, including 19 in the final 31 seconds.

The Tar Heels are currently favored by 17.5 points. They have a stud at QB in Drake Maye, while the Mountaineers are waiting to see if either Jake Burger or Joey Aguilar will suit up Saturday. UNC has a deep running back room that App State does not have. Both teams have relatively inexperienced wide receiver groups, but Carolina has the clear advantage in tight ends.

Expect UNC to win in dominant fashion, as this Mountaineers team is fairly inexperienced, but also expect a close battle.

UNC Football: Offensive Keys to the Game against App State

This article details what UNC needs to do offensively against App State in order to start 2023 with two consecutive wins.

It’s been a pretty good week for the UNC football team, mainly because of how it played in Week 1 against South Carolina.

The Tar Heels rode a strong ground game and an uncharacteristically strong defense to a 31-17 victory over neighboring rival South Carolina. UNC’s defense recorded nine sacks – more than half of its 2022 total (17) – while holding the Gamecocks to three second-half points.

Tar Heels starting running back British Brooks, in his first game since 2021, led all players with 103 rushing yards. UNC’s experienced ground game generated a total of 168 rushing yards, meaning quarterback Drake Maye didn’t need to be at his best.

As a result of all this, Carolina moved up to 17th in the latest AP Poll.

UNC’s schedule doesn’t get an easier, as they face a tough App State squad on Saturday, Sept. 9 at 5:15 p.m. in Kenan Stadium.

When the Heels and Mountaineers met last year in Boone, chaos ensued. UNC appeared on the brink of pulling away with a victory, scoring 34 unanswered points, only for App State to come crawling back and tie things up in the fourth quarter.

Both schools combined for 62 fourth-quarter points, yet it was the visiting Tar Heels who pulled out a 63-61 victory.

Heading into Saturday’s matchup, let’s take a deeper dive into what UNC needs to do for a second-consecutive win against their rivals in the Appalachian Mountains:

Brooks and Rucker take home ACC POTW honors for UNC

British Brooks and Kaimon Rucker, instrumental to UNC’s season-opening win against South Carolina, earned ACC Player of the Week honors.

There are few other feelings in sports that match starting a season 1-0.

Those teams get to claim they’re “undefeated” for at least one more week. Some of these 1-0 schools might enjoy that mark for the entire season, while others might fall back to .500 the following week.

UNC is one of the lucky schools who gets to stay undefeated heading into its Week 2 clash, as the Tar Heels rode a strong, second-half defensive performance to a 31-17 victory over South Carolina.

UNC generated nine sacks – more than half of its 2022 total (17). The ground game racked up 168 yards and two scores, while Drake Maye threw for over 250 yards and two touchdowns.

Because of their respective roles in the Tar Heels’ win, British Brooks and Kaimon Rucker earned ACC Player of the Week honors.

Brooks, named ACC Running Back of the Week, led the Heels’ ground game with a game-high 103 rushing yards on 15 carries. This game was an emotional return for Brooks, who played his first game since 2021.

Rucker, tabbed defensive lineman of the week, led all players with 5.5 tackles for loss and tied for a game-high two sacks.

Both Brooks and Rucker helped UNC start 1-0 for the second consecutive season. They’re now preparing for their first home game of 2023, as the Tar Heels prepare to host App State on Saturday, Sept. 9 at 5:15 p.m.

There was some history made when the two in-state rivals matched up last year, with Carolina prevailing in a high-scoring affair.

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Chiefs UDFA Spotlight: Appalachian State C Anderson Hardy

Our #Chiefs UDFA Spotlight Series continues with a college left tackle who is making the switch to center in the NFL.

A two-star recruit out of Sanderson High School in Raleigh, North Carolina, Hardy received half a dozen offers from schools like Old Dominion, UConn, East Carolina, Coastal Carolina and Charlotte. He wound up sticking in North Carolina, but he ended up out in the mountains playing at Appalachian State.

Hardy redshirted as a true freshman in 2018, and would go on to appear in six games as a redshirt freshman the following season. He found his home at left tackle in 2020, earning a First-Team All-Sun Belt selection while playing the position as a senior.

Lifelong Jaguars fan Cooper Hodges happy to be drafted by ‘dream team’

Jaguars seventh-round pick Cooper Hodges played high school football just 30 minutes from TIAA Bank Field.

The Jacksonville Jaguars drafted a local prospect early in the day Saturday when they took Florida linebacker Ventrell Miller in the fourth round, but the real hometown draftee is probably seventh-round guard Cooper Hodges of Appalachian State.

Before he was a star lineman for the Mountaineers, Hodges played at Baker County High School in Glen St. Mary, Fla., about 35 miles west of TIAA Bank Field.

“It hasn’t even really set in yet,” Hodges said in a conference call with reporters. “I’ve been watching the Jags for a long time. Just a lifelong fan. They’re the reason I got into professional football, just knowing there was a team 30 minutes away, going to games.

“To play 30 minutes away. For these home games, you’re gonna have family and friends there all the time, it’s just honestly a blessing and a great opportunity for me and I couldn’t be more excited for it.”

Hodges told reporters that he knew he was on the Jaguars’ radar, even though he was dealing with a stomach bug when he visited the team for its local pro day.

“I struggled just because I was real sick,” Hodges said. “But I was like ‘Man, I gotta find a way to get there and just, you know, be there.’ It’s my hometown team, it’s my dream team. I just had to fight through a little adversity and make it there.”

While seventh-round picks typically face an uphill climb to make the roster, there isn’t a ton of competition between Hodges and a roster spot as there’s little depth on the interior of the Jaguars’ offensive line.

During his time at Appalachian State, Hodges was a four-time All-Sun Belt selection and was credited with allowing seven sacks in 1,668 pass-blocking snaps at right tackle.

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