The UNC football home opener against App State is certainly living up to its billing as one of Week 2’s more intriguing P5-G5 matchups.
It’s not the high-scoring affair we saw in Boone last year. Instead, it’s a defensive battle where both teams are forcing three-and-outs with tight pass coverage.
Despite the 10-10 tie at halftime and struggle to score, both UNC and App State ‘s run games are keeping them within striking distance of the end zone. The in-state opponents have already combined for 276 rushing yards.
Carolina’s lone touchdown came early in the second quarter, from a 68-yard Omarion Hampton speed burst downfield. The Mountaineers responded three minutes later with a Joey Aguilar play-action touchdown pass, giving them a short-lived, 10-7 lead.
UNC drove downfield for what looked to be a late second-quarter scoring drive, only for the App State defense to come up with more key stops. Luckily, the Heels have a solid kicker named Ryan Coe, who nailed a 47-yard field goal to know things up at 10.
If the second half goes like the first did, we’re in for an intense battle to the final whistle.
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