Thanks to a much-improved defense and a perfect night from kicker Noah Burnette, the North Carolina Tar Heels hung on to beat Minnesota, 19-17, in both teams’ season opener on Thursday, Aug. 29.
UNC opened the scoring early in the second quarter, when quarterback Max Johnson evaded pressure and ran three yards into the end zone for a 6-0 lead. North Carolina never found the end zone again – and Johnson would leave the game late in the third quarter.
At first, no one knew whether Johnson suffered a knee, hip or leg injury. Johnson’s injury was later confirmed to be a broken leg, which he then required season-ending surgery on.
After spending the past eight days recovering from surgery, Johnson finally released a statement to ESPN.
In Johnson’s statement, he confirmed some good news to Tar Heel Nation. Despite likely not being able to work out for months, Johnson plans to play for UNC in 2025.
https://twitter.com/PeteThamel/status/1832112290809966714
While Johnson spends the rest of 2024 recovering from his broken leg, Conner Harrell takes over as North Carolina’s starting quarterback. Harrell had a memorable play in relief of Johnson last week, completing a fourth-quarter zone read to J.J. Jones, which set up one of Burnette’s five made kicks.
Here’s to hoping Johnson makes a speedy recovery – and we see him back in Carolina Blue next fall.
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