Tag: Devontez Walker

Helmet stickers for UNC’s wild double-OT win against Duke

The Tar Heels escaped with a blood-pumping, 47-45 victory over archrival Duke on Senior Night. UNC’s entire offensive unit showed out.

Tar Heel fans – you can finally breathe.

If you were in Kenan Stadium last night or watching UNC-Duke on TV, particularly late in the game, chances are your nerves were shot.

In the final 5:41 of the fourth quarter, there were three separate lead changes and a Noah Burnette field goal as time expired, which sent the game to overtime.

After trading field goals and stopping Duke’s 2-point attempt in the second overtime, Carolina emerged with a 47-45 victory and won its second consecutive game. The win ensured UNC keeps the Victory Bell for a fifth straight year, its longest winning streak in the series since 2011.

Though the Tar Heels were eliminated from ACC Championship contention on Friday night, with Louisville’s comeback win over UVA, they are 8-2. They’ll travel down to Upstate South Carolina next weekend for a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff, facing a Clemson team that just became bowl-eligible with yesterday’s thumping of Georgia Tech.

Defense, which Clemson is known for, almost cost Carolina again vs. Duke. Saturday’s game ended on a missed 2-point conversion from the Blue Devils, but Grayson Loftis overthrew Jalen Calhoun in the back of the end zone.

In a game full of offense, who shined specifically for the Tar Heels?

What Mack Brown said after Heels dominate Camels for seventh win

UNC football head coach Mack Brown was a happy camper after his team’s much-needed, 59-7 thumping of Campbell. Check out what he said.

All is well in Chapel Hill.

After two straight weeks in which UNC went from fringe College Football Playoff contender to an ACC afterthought, thanks to losses against sub-.500 UVA and Georgia Tech, UNC responded Saturday afternoon with a 59-7 thumping of Campbell.

Tar Heels running back Omarion Hampton reached the 1,000-yard rushing yardage mark for the season on his first of two, second quarter touchdowns. Carolina quarterback Drake Maye threw touchdowns on a quarter of his 16 completions, while UNC star wide receiver Devontez Walker caught both of his passes for scores.

Playmakers showed up everywhere on Carolina’s defense, with five different guys recording a sack or part of one. UNC recovered three Camel fumbles and limited an opponent to single-digits for the second time this year.

With all the Tar Heels did well, you know that head coach Mack Brown is a happy camper. He might event bust out some of his signature dance moves – on or off camera.

What exactly did Brown have to say exactly after Carolina’s dominating victory?

Five things to watch in Saturday afternoon UNC-Campbell football clash

Theoretically, UNC should easily dominate Campbell in Saturday’s home football matchup. But things haven’t come easy in Chapel Hill so far.

It’s always exciting when two teams play each other for the first time.

Exciting, however, isn’t a word that’s be used a lot within the UNC football program.

The Tar Heels went from a 6-0, fringe College Football Playoff team to a struggling, 6-2 squad that likely won’t even make the ACC Championship. They’ve lost to 2-win UVA and Georgia Tech, a former sub-.500 team, who is unofficially known as UNC’s kryptonite.

Carolina has a golden chance to press reset this coming Saturday, when it hosts in-state FCS school Campbell University at 12 p.m.

UNC’s track record against FCS opponents is pretty solid, including a 56-24 thumping of Florida A&M in last year’s season opener. The year before, Carolina downed Wofford, 34-14.

With all that’s gone wrong in Chapel Hill recently, a lot of things are about to go right on Saturday. UNC’s passing game should put up sky-high numbers, while the rushing game should continue thriving.

Of course, Carolina is a team that seemingly plays down to opponents. UNC could simply look at Campbell and decide, “Okay, we can take it easy today.”

Remember when The Citadel beat South Carolina – in Columbia – during the 2015 season? The Tar Heels don’t want to become part of that unfortunate history.

What are some key areas to keep your eye on in Saturday’s game?

Browns 2024 NFL mock draft: Re-tooling the offensive line

The Browns could look to address turnover on the offensive line

It looks like the Cleveland Browns have their right tackle of the future in rookie Dawand Jones out of Ohio State. But there could be even more turnover soon with Joel Bitonio getting older and Wyatt Teller’s contract situation. On top of that Jedrick Wills Jr. at left tackle hasn’t earned a second contract yet. Can they re-tool this Summer? That is what we attempt to do in this 2024 NFL mock draft.

For those reasons, I think an offensive lineman could likely be the top pick for Cleveland and they may even draft more than one. Andrew Berry has shown that he likes to draft answers a year or two in advance as opposed to the exact year you need to replace them.

For the upcoming year, Cleveland currently has a second-round pick, a third, two fifths, and three seventh-round picks. It s really early in the process with plenty of football and testing before any teams truly build their big boards. Here is a look at how I could see the Browns attack the first five rounds of next April’s draft.

UNC Football: Offensive keys to game for noon kickoff against Campbell

The UNC football program hosts Campbell on Saturday. This should provide Carolina with an easy opportunity to get back in the win column.

Through eight games into the UNC football season, we know one thing: Offense is NOT the issue.

Carolina has 31 points in seven of its eight games, with the lone exception being a 31-27, home clunker against UVA. The Tar Heels seem to do one of two things – start hot and then cool off, or rally after halftime.

Carolina’s been doing the former recently, scoring 45 first-half points between the UVA and Georgia Tech losses. The Tar Heels have, on the other hand, managed just 24 second-half points.

With a team so offensively-skilled like UNC, why does it fail to play a consistent football game? Carolina sports stars at every offensive skill position – a former Heisman Trophy contender in Drake Maye, a budding star running back in Omarion Hampton, a true number one receiver in Devontez Walker, plus a deep tight end room headlined by Bryson Nesbit.

That is a question Carolina hopes to answer during practices this week, as it prepares for a home, 12 p.m. kickoff on Saturday against Campbell University. UNC should wipe the floor with its upcoming FCS opponent, but given how porous its defense is, no win is guaranteed anymore.

What exactly does Carolina need to do offensively against the Camels? Let’s find out.

North Carolina WR Tez Walker hospitalized after big hit

North Carolina WR Tez Walker, one of the fast-rising 2024 NFL draft prospects, was hospitalized after big hit

One of the fast-rising prospects for the 2024 NFL draft, North Carolina wideout Tez Walker has made the most of his limited on-field time for the Tar Heels. Unfortunately, his time in UNC’s game against Georgia Tech was brought to a premature end.

Walker, who sat out the first four weeks due to an NCAA snafu, was crushed on a blindside hit after his third reception in the game. Walker fumbled and lay on the field for several minutes before slowly making his way to the sideline with help from trainers.

After the game, Tar Heels head coach Mack Brown said that Walker was “aware and talking”, while North Carolina acknowledged the Kent State transfer was hospitalized for observation and testing.

An update from R.L. Bynum, who covers the Tar Heels,

Walker has been a dynamic force since being declared eligible. His status for the coming weeks is not yet known.

UNC football provides update on WR Tez Walker

The UNC football program provided an update on wide receiver Devontez Walker as he took a big hit during the game.

As North Carolina’s comeback fell short at Georgia Tech on Saturday night, they may have lost more than the game.

On UNC’s final drive on offense, wide receiver Tez Walker caught a third-down pass from Drake Maye. But he was hit hard on his side and he didn’t even see it coming. Walker fumbled on the hit and remained down for a long time.

After he was helped off the field by trainers, Walker headed back to the locker room. Now, we know that Walker was also taken to the hospital for further evaluation. UNC made the announcement following the game, providing just that information and nothing else.

It’s hard to tell what the injury is exactly for Walker and it was a HUGE hit he took as you could see the pain going through him. The hope is that Walker is okay to return at some point this season as he’s worked hard despite being ineligible to start the year and then finally ruled eligible by the NCAA.

We will update with more information as it becomes available.

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UNC’s porous defense blows 14-point lead in loss to Georgia Tech

The Tar Heels were exposed again in their 46-42 loss at Georgia Tech, giving up 635 yards. That’s now over 1,000 yards allowed in two games.

Just like last week, UNC’s defense cost it a game in which it had a fourth-quarter lead.

On Saturday night, The Tar Heels led 35-24 going into the final quarter of play against Georgia Tech, once again looking like they had the game wrapped up.

Yet just like last week, UNC’s opponent came roaring back when most people counted it out.

Anchored by two fourth-quarter rushing scores, the Yellow Jackets’ offense reached the end zone three times in the final quarter, for a 46-42 upset win that surely knocks Carolina out of the rankings.

Georgia Tech continued exposing UNC’s horrendous defense, racking up 635 yards. 222 of those yards came via fourth-quarter runs.

Carolina, on the contrary, compiled just 15 fourth-quarter rushing yards. This game had an eerily similar theme to last weekend’s UVA loss, when the Heels completely abandoned the running game late.

UNC’s second-consecutive loss was not for its lack of offense, as it generated 577 yards. Quarterback Drake Maye played a lot better, completing 17-of-25 passes for 310 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Omarion Hampton turned in his third-straight 100-yard outing, gashing the Georgia Tech defense for 153 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries.

The only positive news from Carolina’s second straight loss was surviving an injury scare, as star wide receiver Devontez Walker went down after his eventual, game-clinching fumble.

The Tar Heels went from being tied for second in the ACC, to waving goodbye to their conference title hopes by falling behind Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech.

UNC should beat Campbell next week, but we can now confirm the fears that crept into our minds last weekend – this team is simply not that good.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

UNC Football: Offensive keys to Saturday Night road battle with Georgia Tech

Carolina’s offense nearly reached 500 yards against UVA, but only scored 24 points due to penalties and lapses. What can UNC do against GT?

Just how much left does the UNC football team have to play for after Saturday night’s disappointing, 31-27 home loss to a lowly UVA team?

Quite a bit, actually, if the Tar Heels play their cards right. Believe it or not, an ACC Championship is still on the table.

Carolina has several winnable games left on its schedule, starting with this coming Saturday at Georgia Tech (8 p.m., ACC Network). The Yellow Jackets head into this matchup off a loss of their own – two weeks ago at home to Boston College.

Yet Georgia Tech is that one team, no matter its record, that always has Carolina’s number. The Yellow Jackets essentially ended UNC’s season last year, giving them the first of four consecutive losses, with a 21-17 victory.

Will Carolina be able to finally snag one against its historically most challenging football opponent, besides N.C. State? Let’s see what the boys in baby blue need to do – offensively – in hopes of rebounding.

Helmet Stickers for UNC Football’s season-altering loss against UVA

UVA’s football team marched into Chapel Hill yesterday and dealt UNC a gut-punching, 31-27 defeat. Which of the few UNC players shined?

Undefeated, one of the best quarterbacks in the nation and an opponent it should easily beat.

All was set up for the UNC football team to dominate UVA on Saturday and keep its Top-10 ranking, something it has not become accustomed to often.

Yet, as we’ve seen so many times with a ranked Tar Heels program, disappointment set in.

Carolina quarterback Drake Maye threw his lone interception of the contest with just seconds left, sealing the 31-27 UVA win that will almost surely send UNC tumbling from the Top 20.

Carolina appeared to score a tie-breaking touchdown in the fourth quarter, only for it to be wiped out by a holding penalty. UNC had to settle for a field goal, which appeared to be the momentum shift UVA needed for its shocking upset.

There’s not many positives to take away from this upsetting – but unsurprising – defeat. Every time Carolina seems to touch the Top 10, chaos ensues. Just see the 2021 season-opener at Virginia Tech – UNC was ranked 10th, then left Tar Heel Nation in utter disappointment.

Yet despite the defeat, there were some positive takeaways, even though it might not seem like it. The defeat is fresh in our minds, so we’re still voicing our frustrations at UNC’s season taking a complete 180.