Tag: Noah Burnette

2024 UNC football starter commits to College Football Playoff finalist

UNC just lost its 2024 starting kicker to a current CFP finalist…

Despite extending their bowl streak to six consecutive seasons, the North Carolina Tar Heels experienced more struggle than success during the 2024 college football season.

UNC entered the year with first-time starters at several positions, most notably quarterback and wide receiver. North Carolina started 3-0, lost four straight games, won its next three and clinched bowl eligibility against Wake Forest, then endured another late-season collapse with three consecutive losses.

One Tar Heel who struggled, in particular, was starting kicker Noah Burnette. A year after making 19-of-20 field goal attempts and establishing himself as one of college football’s premier kickers, Burnette dipped to a 15-of-21 mark on field goals in 2024.

Wanting a fresh start for his final year of eligibility, Burnette previously entered himself in the transfer portal.

Burnette decided on his next destination Saturday, January 11, choosing to end his collegiate career 2025 College Football Playoff finalist Notre Dame.

The Fighting Irish address an immediate with Burnette’s addition, as their current kicker, Mitch Jeter, is playing out his extra COVID year. Notre Dame will undoubtedly miss Jeter, the South Carolina transfer originally from Salisbury, NC, who is 7-of-8 on field goals and 8-of-8 on extra points in the CFP.

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Burnette’s strong 2023 campaign earned him a preseason Lou Groza Award nomination, which is given annually to the best kicker in college football.

UNC will likely enter the fall with a kicking competition, returning Lucas Osada from this season’s team and bringing in Michigan transfer Adam Samaha.

Osada was North Carolina’s kickoff specialist in 2024, with 59 kicks traveling 3,709 yards. Samaha made one extra point during the Wolverines’ 52-7 stomping of Indiana in 2023, redshirted that same season and didn’t appear in 2024.

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Notre Dame lands three transfers, two from ACC programs

When it rains, it pours.

Notre Dame is not in the ACC for football despite playing a certain number of opponents each year in exchange for keeping its independence.

But two players from programs in that conference have chosen to finish their college eligibility with the Irish in 2025. A third player arriving from the Irish’s big rival has multiple seasons of eligibility.

First is North Carolina kicker [autotag]Noah Burnette[/autotag], who will become the Irish’s fourth consecutive transfer at that position. He was successful on 38 of 39 extra-point attempts this past season and 15 of 21 in field-goal attempts. He kicked the extra points for both touchdowns the Tar Heels scored in their 2022 loss to the Irish.

Here’s one game this past season in which he was particularly clutch:

The Irish also landed Louisville defensive lineman [autotag]Jared Dawson[/autotag]. He’s coming off a season in which he established career highs in tackles (19), tackles for loss (7) and sacks (4). He had four tackles when the Cardinals lost to the Irish earlier this season. Here he is after that loss:

Finally, the Irish will welcome USC defensive lineman [autotag]Elijah Hughes[/autotag], who had 12 tackles, three tackles for loss and 1 1/2 sacks in two seasons with the Trojans. He played against the Irish in each of the past two seasons but didn’t register any statistics. Still, he’s happy about what’s to come:

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Players are flocking to the Irish, and the program deserves it after what it has done this season even though there still is work to be done.

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UNC football starting kicker enters his name in transfer portal

UNC will be without its starting kicker for the Fenway Bowl.

There’s one key piece that every good football team has – a consistent, reliable kicker.

In 2023, the North Carolina Tar Heels had Noah Burnette.

After taking over for Ryan Coe as UNC’s starting kicker, Burnette went on to deliver a near-perfect season. Burnette nailed all 43 of his extra-point attempts, plus 19-of-20 field goal attempts, including a season-long from 48 yards.

Burnette is struggling immensely in 2024, though, making just 15-of-21 field goal attempts. He only has one PAT miss, but isn’t the same reliable kicker North Carolina enjoyed in 2023.

Unfortunately for the Tar Heels, Burnette will no longer play in Chapel Hill. On Thursday, December 12 – a day after UNC hired Bill Belichick as its next head coach – Burnette entered the transfer portal.

North Carolina still has a bowl game to play, as it will face the UConn Huskies on Saturday, December 28 at 11 a.m. in the Fenway Bowl. I imagine for this game, given Burnette’s status, that Tar Heels freshman Lucas Osada will take over the kicking duties.

Burnette played his high school football at Leesville Road in nearby Raleigh. With the 2023 season he enjoyed and ability to convert clutch kicks, Burnette will be highly sought-after in the transfer portal.

Recruiting a solid kicker is tough for college programs, especially given how little high school teams line up for field goals. UNC seems to have a penchant for finding good kickers, though, highlighted by the likes of Connor Barth and Nick Weiler.

Will North Carolina see Burnette withdraw his name later, or will North Carolina roll with Osada and look for a backup this offseason?

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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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Starting kicker Noah Burnette ruled out vs. NC Central

UNC football starting kicker Noah Burnette has been ruled out of the Week 3 game.

A major reason behind the North Carolina Tar Heels’ 2-0 start to the college football season is star kicker Noah Burnette, who was a perfect 5-for-5 on kicks in UNC’s season-opening victory at Minnesota.

Burnette was near-automatic in North Carolina’s win over Charlotte last week, converting all four extra points and a 44-yard field goal, but he also missed his first kick of the year.

In today’s Week 3 matchup against NC Central, though, it doesn’t look like Burnette will be available.

Instead, the Tar Heels will likely roll with Liam Boyd, the Clemson transfer who arrived in Chapel Hill before the 2023 season.

Boyd relieved Burnette late last week, converting his first collegiate kick after Davion Gause’s fourth-quarter touchdown run. Boyd is a Tar Heel State product originally, hailing from Asheville High School. Boyd converted 11-of-13 field goals during his senior season, including a 50-year, while also playing soccer his first three years.

North Carolina should be able to score touchdowns at ease today, but if drives stall, Boyd has to be on his game. NC Central is 1-1, winning its season-opener at Alabama State, but losing to Elon by 22 last week.

Keep an eye out on Boyd and if he plays a major role in the Tar Heels’ Week 3 outcome.

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Week 1 perfection nets UNC kicker Noah Burnette another weekly award

Noah Burnette outscored his UNC teammates in last week’s 19-17 victory over Minnesota. That performance alone earned him a prestigious Star of the Week award.

After years of struggling to find a consistent kicker since Nick Weiler, the North Carolina Tar Heels finally found their gem in Noah Burnette.

Burnette was a great kicker last year, but he made a case for the nation’s best kicker in UNC’s 19-17, season-opening win over Minnesota last week, showcasing perfection by converting his lone extra point and all four field goals.

With his Week 1 perfection, Burnette was named one of the Lou Groza Award’s Stars of the Week. Burnette was previously a nominee for this annual award, given to the nation’s top kicker.

Burnette’s first make was his lone extra-point, which made it 7-0 UNC and came after North Carolina’s lone touchdown on a 3-yard, second quarter Max Johnson run. Burnette later converted a 29-yard field goal try and closed the Tar Heels’ gap to 14-10, a 52-yarder right before halftime (14-13), a 42-yard go-ahead try in the fourth quarter, plus the eventual game-winner from 45 yards out.

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Burnette was nearly perfect in 2023 as a whole, converting all 42 extra-point attempts and 18-of-19 field goal tries. If last week was any indicator of UNC’s 2024 offensive outlook, Burnette’s teammates will continue relying on him for points.

The Charlotte 49ers come to Kenan Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 7 for North Carolina’s home opener. Can Burnette continue his streak of perfection?

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Tar Heels featured amongst USA Today’s Week 1 college football overreactions

13 wins within a conference is usually pretty good news. Such wasn’t the case for North Carolina and the ACC in Week 1 of the college football season.

I don’t think anyone in the ACC expected 2024’s start to college football season.

Florida State, Clemson and Virginia Tech, all preseason contenders for an ACC Championship, are a combined 0-4. Neither Georgia Tech or Boston College, atop the ACC with a win each, have won a conference title since 2009.

Our very own North Carolina Tar Heels, a 2-point road underdog at Minnesota last Thursday, won by two after a missed field goal as time expired. Noah Burnette and Jahvaree Ritzie earned ACC Player of the Week honors for their heroic efforts: Burnette converting all five of his kicks, plus Ritzie recording three sacks and tackles for loss apiece.

Overall, 13 ACC teams won, with UNC fortunate to be included in that lucky number.

USA Today didn’t have a favorable outlook on the ACC as a whole, though, highlighting North Carolina as part of its Week 1 overreactions.

“The early returns for the league aren’t good,” USA Today’s Eddie Timanus wrote. “The league’s recent standard bearers, Florida State and Clemson, have already taken two and one ‘L’s, possible dark horse Virginia Tech was tripped up by Vanderbilt, and league newcomer Stanford put up a good fight but ultimately came up a touchdown short against TCU. Even among the squads that won there are concerns. North Carolina State got all it could handle from FCS challenger Western Carolina, North Carolina held on at Minnesota but lost its starting quarterback, and, as good as Miami looked in the Swamp, that result might say more about the state of the Florida program than that of The U.”

The Tar Heels’ greatest question is how Conner Harrell will fare as the new starting quarterback. Max Johnson is out for the season with a broken leg, for UNC to turn for its quarterback who impressed more in the spring game.

With a favorable stretch of games in September, North Carolina has a golden chance to boost the ACC’s outlook.

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Two Tar Heels ACC Player of the Week honors

UNC football stars Noah Burnette and Jahvaree Ritzie were rewarded for Thursday night’s performances.

The North Carolina Tar Heels gutted out a 19-17 win against Minnesota last Thursday, securing a much-needed victory in its season-opener that was highlighted by a clear kicking advantage and much-improved defense.

There were four separate lead changes, with UNC taking the last lead on star kicker Noah Burnette’s fourth and final field goal try. North Carolina’s defense, which played well for most of the night, relapsed into 2023 form by allowing the Golden Gophers to set up a game-winning field goal try.

There were a few Tar Heels who stood out Thursday night: not just on the team, but in the entire ACC.

Jahvaree Ritzie, who showcased his ability as one of the country’s premier defensive tackles with a 3-sack, 3-TFL outing and Burnette, who converted his lone extra point and all of his four field goal attempts, earned ACC Player of the Week honors.

Minnesota likely scores more points without Ritzie’s impact, plus UNC only scores six points without Burnette’s leg.

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Burnette showcased how special he was in 2023, converting 60-of-61 kicks into points. Ritzie was good in each of his first three seasons at North Carolina, but last Thursday showed he can be a much-needed star and X-factor in Tar Heel victories.

Will Burnette and Ritzie continue to shine in this coming Saturday’s home opener against Charlotte?

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Noah Burnette’s perfection shined in UNC football’s narrow win

North Carolina came away with a win in Week 1 because Noah Burnette was perfect on the field.

Last night’s win was not a spectacular performance on offense or defense for UNC football. The Tar Heels had severe weaknesses on both sides of the ball, except the special teams group.

Kicker Noah Burnette was not only considered the most valuable player of the winning team, but he was also perfect from the field hitting four field goals and scoring the most points of any player on either team.

After Minnesota’s kicker doinked a “chip-shot”, it was quickly realized that the difference between the kickers would be the difference in the score. That sentiment proved correct as the Gophers missed a game-winning field goal with four seconds left in the game for his second missed field goal.

Last season, his sophomore year, Burnette went 18/19 on field goals in 6/6 from over 40 yards and hitting zero field goals of over 50 yards. Last night, he not only started perfect, but he also did something he didn’t do at all last season.

He is now 2/2 from over 40 yards and 1/1 from over 50 yards with 100% total accuracy heading into Week 2 of the college football season.

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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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