Tag: UNC vs. Wake Forest

Omarion Hampton sets new career-high in win over Wake Forest

Saturday night cemented why Omarion Hampton is one of the best players in UNC football history.

I’m running out of ways to write about how talented of a running back UNC’s Omarion Hampton is.

On Saturday night in a closer-than-expected 31-24 victory over Wake Forest, Hampton ran for 244 yards and a touchdown on 35 carries (7 YPC). Hampton set a new career-high with his yardage output, breaking his previous best of 234, set in North Carolina’s 40-34 overtime victory against App State in 2023.

“It’s as good as any,” Tar Heels head coach Mack Brown said, when asked about where Hampton’s career game ranks amongst running backs he’s coached. “I mean, 249 yards is just absolutely unbelievable. I was on a radio show before the season started and somebody said, “where does he rank in the great backs you’ve coached?” And I said he’s in the middle of it. He really is. And there’s some great ones. Everybody in the country would want Omarion Hampton on their team, he’s gonna be a great pro player.”

Not only did Big O set his new career high, but Saturday was Hampton’s eighth-straight game with 100 yards, a new Tar Heels record.

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Hampton is now tied with former UNC quarterback Marquise Williams at 35 rushing touchdowns, which is third all-time. Hampton now has 3,327 career rushing yards, climbing North Carolina legends Don McCauley and Kelvin Bryant on Saturday night.

“It’s so real of a feeling, just knowing that making history here, always growing up a fan, being here and everything like that,” Hampton said on climbing up the all-time list. “It’s so real of a feeling.”

On a night where Jacolby Criswell and his receivers struggled to get the passing game clicking, Hampton’s output was much-needed.

“We just knew we had to make something work because we were just staying on each other, just going to the sidelines knowing we have to make something happen, knowing that whatever it is we’ve gotta make it work,” Hampton said. “I feel like (offensive coordinator) Chip Lindsey did a good job play-calling and everything, to help us set up different runs and everything for the defense. I feel like it just all planned out well.”

To cap off his legendary night, Hampton scored the Tar Heels’ final touchdown. Hampton channeled Philadelphia Eagles star Saquon Barkley, one of his favorite pros to watch, on his hurdle-and-score touchdown.

“Yeah he’s definitely crazy,” Hampton said about Saquon. “I’ve always been a fan of Saquon, just his run style and everything like that. Always watched film on him and everything like that. He’s definitely a super-talented guy.”

UNC is extremely lucky to have a back of Hampton’s caliber. His next chance to break even more records comes on Saturday, Nov. 23 in a 12 p.m. kickoff at Boston College.

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UNC has chance to steal in-state 2025 wide receiver recruit with Saturday visit

Can UNC land a needed commitment from in-state wide receiver Jamien Little on Saturday?

The North Carolina Tar Heels are in great shape with their 2025 football recruiting class, already securing 12 commitments.

That UNC class is headlined by 4-star quarterback Bryce Baker, another in-state standout who plays at East Forsyth in Kernersville. North Carolina has another pair of 4-star commits in that same 2025 class: offensive tackle Alex Payne and defensive end Austin Alexander.

There’s one position the Tar Heels lack in their next recruiting class: wide receiver, with 3-star Evan Haynes the only one locked down.

UNC has a golden chance to add another wide receiver this coming weekend – a potential 13th commitment – as 3-star in-state wideout Jamien Little announced he’ll be attending the UNC-Wake Forest football game.

If you look at Little’s X and Instagram accounts, each listed below, he recently de-committed from Wake Forest. How sweet would it be if the Tar Heels stole Little from an in-state rival?

Little, arguably the focal point of Hickory High School’s offense, helped lead Hickory to its second State Championship in 2023. Little caught 70 passes for a whopping 1,372 yards and 20 touchdown, averaging 19.6 yards per catch and 85.8 yards per game.

Through 10 games in 2024, as the Tornadoes prepare for another 3A State Championship, Little already has 808 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. Those churn out to 20.7 yards per catch and 80.8 yards per game.

 

North Carolina will be Little’s first scheduled visit since breaking away from the Demon Deacons, a good sign that Chapel Hill is high on Little’s list. Duke is also in strong consideration for Little, though according to his 247Sports recruiting profile, 12 other schools – including NC State – are in the mix.

With J.J. Jones and Nate McCollum currently in their final seasons as Tar Heels, a commitment from Little would go a long way to rounding out a young receiving corps.

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Start time announced for UNC’s second-to-last home game of 2024 football season

Wondering when UNC’s next football game is? North Carolina recently released the start time for its upcoming matchup with Wake Forest.

After two blowout victories, the North Carolina Tar Heels quickly turned from ACC laughingstock to the fringe of bowl game contention.

UNC (5-4, 2-3) marched into Charlottesville and obliterated Virginia, 41-14, two weeks ago in a game highlighted by 10 sacks from its suddenly-resurgent defense.

This past weekend, North Carolina hit the road again for a battle with Florida State, the reigning ACC Champion which is amongst 2024’s biggest disappointments. The Tar Heels dominated the Seminoles (1-8, 1-7 ACC), 35-11, thanks to another defensive shutdown and 5-touchdown day from Omarion Hampton.

UNC now heads into its bye week, then hosts Wake Forest for another in-state battle on Saturday, Nov. 15.

You can now starting planning your Saturday night around UNC-Wake, as kickoff time for that matchup was recently announced for 8 p.m.

North Carolina’s next game will be its second nighttime kickoff of the year – and first in Kenan Stadium. The Tar Heels previously played Minnesota, in their season-opener, during a game in which start time was postponed to 9 p.m.

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The Demon Deacons (4-4, 2-2 ACC) are seeing a trajectory similar to UNC’s, winning their first game before consecutive losses. Wake recovered from those defeats, as it now has back-to-back victories entering Friday’s home matchup with conference newcomer California.

If you love watching football in cold weather, Nov. 16 is the perfect game for you to attend.

Not only will North Carolina be trying for its third straight victory, but it looks to reach bowl eligibility for the sixth-consecutive season. This would be the Tar Heels’ longest streak in program history.

If you weren’t on the hype train before, now’s the perfect time to hop on. UNC fans are finally excited about watching their football team again.

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