Tag: John Copenhaver

UNC announces captains for Week 9 football clash at Virginia

Which three players will represent the UNC football team in today’s game, a Week 9 must-win at rival Virginia?

With four consecutive losses in their back pockets, the North Carolina Tar Heels are in desperate need of turning their football season around.

Coming out of its first bye week, UNC (3-4, 0-3) might be in a perfect position to do so today.

At 12 p.m. today, North Carolina will take the field at Scott Stadium and face fellow ACC rival Virginia. The Tar Heels and Cavaliers (4-3, 2-2 ACC) will play in the 119th installation of the South’s Oldest Rivalry, with UNC holding an all-time advantage of 64-50-4.

While all your focus right now is likely on how North Carolina can find a way to win, we want you to meet the Tar Heels’ team captains for today’s conference clash: linebacker Amare Campbell, tight end John Copenhaver and star kicker Noah Burnette.

Campbell is UNC’s starting middle linebacker, taking over the spot previously occupied by Cedric Gray. Statistically, Campbell is one of North Carolina’s best defensive producers, registering 45 total tackles (second on the team), leading the team with six tackles for loss and four quarterback hurries, recording two pass breakups and forcing one fumble.

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Copenhaver will now take over as the Tar Heels’ starting tight end, as Bryson Nesbit will miss several weeks with a fractured wrist. Copenhaver is tied for the UNC lead with three receiving touchdowns, plus his 193 receiving yards are fourth-most amongst his teammates.

Burnette, named to the preseason Lou Groza Award Watch List as a candidate for the nation’s best kicker, is 11-of-13 on field goals this season. Burnette is a perfect 2-for-2 on kicks from 50+, including a season-long 52.

Let’s see if North Carolina’s captains can help snap a long losing streak and get their team back to .500.

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UNC loses its leading pass-catcher to a broken wrist

The UNC offense suffered a major blow on Monday afternoon…

It’s not like the North Carolina Tar Heels will win a bunch more games this football season, but their offense has the ability to at least keep them close with opponents.

UNC has shifted to a run-first offense this year, led by star running back Omarion Hampton. North Carolina has an okay passing attack, led by fifth-year quarterback Jacolby Criswell, but it’s missing a Drake Maye-caliber QB. The Tar Heels also have a solid receiving corps, but one that’s extremely young and lacks a true number one guy like Devontez Walker.

UNC’s already-inexperienced receiving corps just received a massive blow on Monday afternoon, as Inside Carolina’s Ben Sherman announced that starting tight end Bryson Nesbit will miss several weeks with a fractured wrist.

Through seven games this season, Nesbit leads North Carolina with 24 receptions. Nesbit is also tied with fellow tight end John Copenhaver for a team-best three touchdown receptions, plus Nesbit is second to J.J. Jones in receiving yards (264).

Good news for Nesbit and the Tar Heels: they have a bye week this coming weekend, which will allow Nesbit to rest up and recover from injury a bit. He likely won’t be back for the Virginia game in two weeks, but could return for a Nov. 2 road date with Florida State.

With Nesbit now out, look for UNC to rely more on Copenhaver and Texas A&M transfer tight end Jake Johnson. Jones will also now likely take on a larger role at receiver, while North Carolina will call upon other pass-catchers to step up.

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Two UNC football tight ends land on Mackey Award watch list

Two UNC football players were named to the 2024 Mackey Award watch list.

While North Carolina lost some production on the offensive side of the football, they return two key contributors. Among the players returning for the Tar Heels are a pair of tight ends who will have an impact on the offense in Bryson Nesbit and John Copenhaver.

And on Friday, both earned some preseason recognition.

Both Copenhaver and Nesbit were named to the 2024 Mackey Award watch list for the 2024 season. It’s the second straight season that the duo were named to the watch list for the award that honors the most outstanding collegiate tight end each season.

For Nesbit, he’s coming off a big 2023 season in which he earned first-team All-ACC honors, appearing in 12 games. He finished the year with 41 receptions for 585 yards and five touchdowns.

For Copenhaver, he started 10 games for the Tar Heels in 2023, finishing with  18 receptions for 240 yards and four touchdowns.

Nesbit and Copenhaven are two of eleven tight ends in the Atlantic Coast Conference to make the list. 

The award will trim the list of preseason watch list players down to eight in late October and then three finalists in late November. The winner will be announced on the Home Depot College Football Awards show on ESPN on Dec. 12.

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On3 is very high on this UNC football position group for 2024

An experienced tight end group will help the UNC football team navigate a new quarterback room this fall.

It seems like just yesterday, we were sitting on our couches watching Michigan and Washington battle it out for the CFP National Championship.

We’re now preparing for the start of the 2024 regular season, an exciting time fans are increasingly eager for with Spring Games and transfer portal additions.

The greatest headline to watch for the UNC football team, ahead of its Aug. 29 opener at Minnesota, is who will start at quarterback. North Carolina’s Spring Game provided an excellent opportunity for fans to see the Conner Harrell/Max Johnson battle firsthand, with each gunslinger standing out in specific areas.

One area the Tar Heels won’t have to worry about, though, is their stacked tight end room.

Headlined by returners Bryson Nesbit and John Copenhaver, plus transfer Jake Johnson (Max’s brother), North Carolina’s tight end group was deemed the nation’s third-best by On3 Sports.

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Nesbit ended his 2023 campaign with five touchdowns and 585 receiving yards, the latter making him third on UNC behind Walker and J.J. Jones. Copenhaver finished with 279 yards and four touchdowns, both second-most amongst tight ends, while Johnson ended his last year at Texas A&M with 235 yards and four scores.

Cort Halsey, Timmy Lawson, Deems May, Julien Randolph, Cal Tierney did not play for the Tar Heels last year. They’ll be looking to provide valuable production in the deep TE room, which will be a huge benefit for North Carolina’s quarterbacks.

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16 UNC football players make All-ACC Academic Team

What UNC failed to do on the football field this year, it made up for in the classroom. 16 different players earned an ACC academic honor.

There’s no question the 2023 campaign was disappointing for UNC football.

North Carolina looked like a true ACC contender early on, bolting out to a 6-0 start and a Top-10 ranking. Drake Maye was the country’s clear-cut top quarterback, Devontez Walker and Nate McCollum gave UNC a deadly receiver tandem and – most surprisingly – the defense was actually making stops.

A loss to UVA sent the Tar Heels into a tailspin, as they only won two of their final seven games. Defensive woes started to resurface and – oddly enough – offense went cold at times.

What UNC didn’t do well on the field, they made up for in the classroom.

16 different Tar Heels made the All-ACC Academic Team – Maye, wide receiver J.J. Jones and Chris Culliver, kickers Noah Burnette and Liam Boyd, linebackers Jalen Brooks, Sebastian Cheeks, Cade Law and Gibson Macrae, punter Tom Maginess, tight end John Copenhaver, defensive lineman Beau Atkinson, defensive backs Will Hardy and Christopher Holiday, offensive lineman Treyvon Green and long snapper Spencer Tripplett.

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This is a rare win for UNC since its late-season collapse.

While everyone has the goal of making an NFL roster, the reality is only a few will do so. It’s encouraging to know several Tar Heels are excelling in the classroom, because it’ll set them up well for the future.

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UNC tight end room one of nation’s best

John Copenhaver, Kamari Morales and Bryson Nesbit give the UNC football program one of the deepest tight end rooms in the nation.

There’s no question that the UNC football team has produced yet another, disappointing end to what once looked like a strong season.

Carolina started the year 6-0, beating five Power 5 opponents in six weeks and squeaking by App State in overtime. Losses to UVA, Georgia Tech, Clemson and N.C. State quickly ended College Football Playoff hopes and, once again, showed UNC has a long way to go before it considers itself a football school.

Despite the recent struggles Carolina’s endured, it has two things to be proud of: making a bowl game for the fifth-consecutive season and an electric offense.

One of the major reasons for UNC’s record-setting offense is its tight end room, which includes John Copenhaver Bryson Nesbit and Kamari Morales, who recently announced his decision to enter the transfer portal.

That room has combined for 71 receptions, 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns, making UNC one of two Power 5 schools to have a tight end group Top 5 in those respective categories.

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Nesbit is the room’s leader, catching 41 passes for 585 yards and five touchdowns. Copenhaver has 18 catches for 279 yards and four touchdowns, while Morales has 11 catches for 158 yards and no scores.

Carolina should have yet another dangerous tight end group next year, with Nesbit and Copenhaver returning for their senior years.

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Helmet stickers for UNC’s letdown at NC State

While the Tar Heels disappointed us all again in last night’s football game at NC State, there were a few players who stood out.

There’s not much positive to say about UNC’s regular-season finale on Saturday night.

The Tar Heels lost to NC State, 39-20, scoring most of their points in garbage time. UNC star running back Omarion Hampton never got going, while quarterback Drake Maye was highly inefficient through the air.

Saturday was Carolina’s third straight loss to its greatest football rival, a now, one-sided series that becomes less of a rivalry with results like Saturday’s. I thought the Tar Heels would at least show up and make it competitive, but they sorely lacked that fight.

Give credit to the Wolfpack, who played one of their most complete games of 2023. In its fifth-straight win, dual-threat quarterback Brennan Armstrong threw for 334 yards and three touchdowns. Six different ball-carriers combined for 170 yards and another score.

Even in the disappointing result for Carolina, there were a couple players who shined.

Tar Heels announce captains for regular season finale at NC State

Drake Maye, John Copenhaver and Cedric Gray will all captain the UNC football team for Saturday night’s battle at N.C. State.

And just like that, college footballs’ regular season is coming to a close.

What started as a year full of hope and promise, is now a year with heartbreak and unexpected results.

You’ve seen traditional powers, like Clemson, lose to a historically bad Duke team. Ohio State went into Ann Arbor earlier today, hoping to secure its spot in the College Football Playoff, only for Michigan to win a third-consecutive battle. Arizona, a program who hasn’t finished with a winning record since 2017, is now ranked and about to nab its ninth victory.

Two seasons that are exactly the same right now, but have gone in completely opposite directions, are those of UNC and NC State. These two ACC rivals, who the football hatred runs deep between, are facing off at 8 p.m. ET tonight.

Carolina started 6-0 and was ranked 10th in the AP Poll, putting them in fringe College Football Playoff position. Consecutive losses to Georgia Tech and lowly UVA, plus later Clemson, killed both CFP and ACC Championship hopes.

The Wolfpack were sitting at 4-3, unsure of who their starting quarterback was, but are now in the midst of a 4-game winning streak.

One of our favorite things to do before games is look at team captains. For UNC, those captains are quarterback Drake Maye, tight end John Copenhaver and star linebacker Cedric Gray.

Even with an off week at Clemson, Maye still leads the ACC with 3,354 passing yards. Copenhaver hasn’t been utilized as much in recent weeks, but is still one of three Carolina tight ends with 100 receiving yards. Gray is the only Tar Heel with 100 tackles, plus one of two in the ACC (Payton Wilson) to reach the century mark.

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Tar Heels shake off slow start, turn on the jets for dominating bounceback against Campbell

UNC started slow in Saturday’s 52-point victory vs. Campbell, but scored 52 unanswered points in a much-needed bounce-back victory.

After one quarter of play in Saturday’s UNC-Campbell game, UNC looked a lot like the same team with consecutive losses in its back pocket.

The Tar Heels and Camels were tied at seven apiece, with Campbell’s FCS offense moving the ball at will. UNC must have pressed an in-game reset button between quarters, because it looked like a brand new team from there on out.

Headlined by star running back Omarion Hampton’s fourth-consecutive 100-yard outing, which included him reaching 1,000 yards for the season on a momentum-swinging, second-quarter touchdown run, the Tar Heels rode a balanced offensive attack to a 59-7 victory.

Just as UNC did so well before its 2-game slide, it dominated the second quarter and put Saturday’s matchup out of reach.

First up for Carolina was Hampton’s 1,000-yard-reaching, 54-yard touchdown run nearly halfway through the second quarter.

Nearly six minutes later, the Drake Maye-Devontez Walker connection worked for a 31-yard score. With 27 seconds left in the half, Hampton punched the ball in the end zone for a 4-yard score, giving UNC a 28-7 lead going into halftime.

Carolina didn’t stop out of the break.

Just 37 seconds into the second half, Maye connected with tight end John Copenhaver for a 25-yard touchdown. J.J. Jones, UNC’s receiving yardage leader, caught a 21-yard pass halfway through the third quarter for his first score of the year.

Carolina kicker Noah Burnette added a 43-yard field goal to round out the third-quarter scoring, then backup quarterback Conner Harrell gashed the Campbell defense for a 61-yard touchdown run.

The Tar Heel defense didn’t play too bad, holding an opponent to single-digits for the second time this year, but Campbell’s offense is nowhere near the level of an FBS school.

This is exactly the type of rebound game UNC needed. It dominated in every aspect of the game, looking a lot like the early-season team on the edge of a CFP spot.

And what better day to win big than on a beautiful, sunny November day in Kenan Stadium?

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UNC Football: Offensive Keys to the Game against UVA

What hasn’t the UNC football team done offensively? We take a look at how the Tar Heels’ deadly offense can thrive against a weak UVA squad.

Sitting at 6-0 atop the ACC with Florida State, the UNC football team is in a great position to contend for a conference championship.

Outside of App State, the Tar Heels have beaten opponents with relative ease. Casuals might look at their undefeated record and think, “must be a bunch of FCS teams.”

Nope.

Five of Carolina’s six wins – South Carolina, Minnesota, Pitt, Syracuse and Miami – are against Power 5 schools. The lone school outside the Power 5 is an App State squad that competes with the country’s best – see last year’s upset at Texas A&M.

UNC only has one FCS team, Campbell University, on its schedule for Saturday, Nov. 4. This is common of several Power 5 schools to play at least one FCS school.

The Tar Heels have scored 40 points in four of their six games – even more impressive against top-ranked defenses in Minnesota, Syracuse and Miami. Drake Maye looks more and more like a Heisman Trophy contender each week, Omarion Hampton gives UNC its first star running back since Ty Chandler, while the group of pass-catchers is among the most talented in recent history.

Carolina plays likely it easiest ACC opponent in UVA on Saturday, Oct 21. While the Tar Heels are expected to win big, let’s take a look at exactly what they need to do offensively in hopes of continuing their win streak: