Tag: North Carolina Tar Heels

Dec 28, 2024; Boston, MA, USA; Connecticut Huskies running back Mel Brown (7) runs the ball against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

UConn snaps ACC curse, beats North Carolina in Fenway Bowl

Posted on | by Field Level Media

UConn quarterback Joe Fagnano threw for two touchdowns and the Huskies’ defense overwhelmed North Carolina for a 27-14 victory in the Fenway Bowl on Saturday in Boston.

Mel Brown ran for 96 yards and the Huskies (9-4) reached the nine-win level for the third time in program history.

It was a miserable day for the Tar Heels (6-7), who are in transition as they await Bill Belichick, who now takes over as head coach. Freddie Kitchens served as interim coach on Saturday following Mack Brown’s departure at the end of the regular season.

North Carolina’s Chris Culliver returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown and backup quarterback Michael Merdinger threw for 86 yards. Six of the team’s 10 first downs came in the final 11 minutes.

Fagnano finished 16-for-23 for 151 yards for the Huskies, who were limited to a field goal in the second half after rolling up a 24-7 haltime lead.

North Carolina lost starting quarterback Jacolby Criswell to an apparent shoulder injury on the team’s second offensive series. The Tar Heels, who were without running back Omarion Hampton (going into NFL draft), didn’t pick up a first down until less than 30 seconds remained in the first half, and that was followed by an interception.

UConn’s first points came on Chris Freeman’s 32-yard field goal. Then, with 3:45 left in the quarter, Fagnano connected with Skyler Bell on a 38-yard touchdown.

The Huskies led 10-0 before Culliver’s ensuing kickoff return, the only glitch for UConn in the first quarter.

Fifty seconds into the second quarter, Fagnano hit Alex Honig with a pass for a 4-yard touchdown.

The final first-half touchdown came on running back Cam Edwards’ leap into the end zone to complete a fourth-and-2 snap. That capped a 14-play drive that consumed almost six minutes.

North Carolina, which lost its fifth consecutive bowl outing, was credited with 1 rushing yard in the first half.

The Tar Heels drove 98 yards on eight plays to score on running back Caleb Hood’s 17-yard pass to John Copenhaver with 6:46 left in the game. Hood rushed for a team-high 78 yards.

UConn had gone 0-3 against teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference this season, but it had no trouble in snapping that streak against the Tar Heels.

–Field Level Media

Dec 12, 2024; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels chancellor Lee Roberts presents a cut off sweatshirt to new head coach Bill Belichick at Loudermilk Center for Excellence. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Bill Belichick on taking North Carolina job: ‘I didn’t come here to leave’

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Bill Belichick provided a winning quote on Thursday during his introductory press conference as the new head coach at North Carolina.

When asked if the NFL remains an option should he enjoy immediate success in Chapel Hill, Belichick had a quick response.

“I didn’t come here to leave,” Belichick said with a smile.

His quick wit prompted a round of applause from those in attendance.

The Tar Heels are banking on more wins — those that come on the field — during this tenure with the team.

The six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach signed a five-year contract with North Carolina, a program that has not won a conference title since 1980.

Belichick’s father, Steve Belichick, was an assistant coach at North Carolina from 1953-55.

Belichick will replace Mack Brown, whom North Carolina fired at the end of the regular season. The Tar Heels (6-6) will play in the Fenway Bowl on Dec. 28 in Boston.

Belichick, 72, parted ways with the New England Patriots following the 2023 season after 24 years with the franchise. He was out of coaching this year despite interviewing for multiple NFL vacancies last offseason, and has been working multiple roles in the media.

Belichick has 333 wins as an NFL coach (including playoffs) and needs 15 more to break the all-time record held by Don Shula. However, according to reports earlier this week, he was surprised not to hear from the NFL teams with existing vacancies.

It will be his first coaching position at the collegiate level. His son, Steve, is the defensive coordinator at the University of Washington and a prominent role for him at UNC was reportedly a part of his father’s pitch to the Tar Heels. Huskies head coach Jedd Fisch was a former assistant for Bill Belichick, who spent significant time around the Washington program over the past year.

–Field Level Media

Nov 2, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; North Carolina Tarheels head coach Mack Brown during warmups before a game against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Myers-Imagn Images

North Carolina hosts NC State in Mack Brown’s home finale

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In most cases, a regular-season finale between two teams with a combined 11 wins wouldn’t be too compelling.

That’s hardly the case on Saturday in Chapel Hill, N.C., where North Carolina’s Mack Brown coaches his final home game against rival North Carolina State.

The university announced Tuesday that Brown, 73, will not return next season, despite Brown telling reporters on Monday he planned to be back in 2025.

“While this was not the perfect time and way in which I imagined going out, no time will ever be the perfect time,” Brown said in a statement. “We’ve had the chance to coach and mentor some great young men, and we’ll miss having the opportunity to do that in the future. … We want to send these seniors out right and I hope our fans will show up Saturday to do the same.”

In addition to the emotionally charged atmosphere at Kenan Stadium for the host Tar Heels (6-5, 3-4 Atlantic Coast Conference), the Wolfpack (5-6, 2-5) desperately need a victory to become bowl eligible.

A loss to North Carolina would mark just the third losing season for the Wolfpack since Dave Doeren took over in 2013. NC State is coming off a 30-29 defeat at Georgia Tech in which the Yellow Jackets regained the lead with 22 seconds left on an 18-yard run by Aaron Philo.

True freshman CJ Bailey has completed 63.7 percent of his passes for 1,941 yards and 12 touchdowns with eight interceptions. Bailey has also rushed for 201 yards and five touchdowns.

With three straight wins over the Tar Heels, Doeren knows how significant a fourth would be, especially considering it would send the Wolfpack to a bowl game and end Brown’s tenure on a sour note.

“I’m a little different,” Doeren said. “I guess I don’t treat it as a normal game. … It’s something that matters deeply. Not just to Dave Doeren. It matters a lot to the former players. It matters a lot to the alumni, to the donors, to the administration. It’s not that the other games don’t matter. They do, but this one runs deeper.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 13, 2024; Kansas City, Kansas, USA; UNLV Rebels head coach Barry Odom looks on during the first half against the Kansas Jayhawks at Children's Mercy Park. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Take 5: Candidates to replace Mack Brown at UNC

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North Carolina will usher in a new era after announcing Tuesday that head coach Mack Brown will not return next season.

So, where do the Tar Heels turn next as they move on from the winningest coach in program history?

Athletic director Bubba Cunningham got a head start on the process with the Tar Heels, the first program from a power conference to part ways with their head coach this season.

Here are five potential top candidates for an appealing opportunity to take over a quality ACC program:

Matt Campbell, Iowa State
It wouldn’t be a coaching cycle if Campbell’s name wasn’t tied to a vacancy at a prominent program. Still just 44 years old, Campbell is already in his ninth season in Ames, where he has posted a 62-50 record. That includes a 9-2 mark this season. The Ohio native and three-time Big 12 Coach of the Year has rebuffed numerous overtures in the past to move on from Iowa State, but that won’t stop other programs from continuing to knock on his door.

Jamey Chadwell, Liberty
The well-traveled Chadwell has had his name tied to UNC as a potential replacement for Brown for some time. He spent stints at Charleston Southern and Coastal Carolina, among other stops, before taking over at Liberty, where he has posted a 21-3 record and led the Flames to a spot in last season’s Fiesta Bowl after going 13-0 in the regular season. The Tennessee native led Coastal Carolina to an 11-0 start and as high as No. 9 in the Associated Press poll in 2020 before a bowl game loss to Liberty, somewhat ironically. Chadwell was named the AP College Coach of the Year following the season — a first for the Sun Belt Conference.

Andy Kotelnicki, Penn State (OC)
Kotelnicki lacks head coaching experience, but the 43-year-old is considered one of the brightest young offensive minds in college football. Before landing at Penn State this year, Kotelnicki served as the offensive coordinator at Buffalo (2015-2020) and Kansas (2021-23). A center for the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, the Minnesota native began his coaching career as an offensive assistant at Western Illinois in 2004.

Alex Golesh, South Florida
Another highly respected offensive mind, Golesh took over a program that went 1-11 the year before his arrival. The Bulls went 7-6 in his first season and are 6-5 so far this year. Despite being just 40 years old, he would provide UNC with head coaching experience following time as an assistant at Tennessee, Iowa State, UCF and Illinois. Golesh has a fascinating background, having attended Ohio State after being born in Moscow and growing up in Brooklyn before his family moved to Dublin, Ohio. He began his coaching career as a high school defensive line coach in 2003.

Barry Odom, UNLV
Odom, 47, has lifted the Rebels to arguably the best level in program history in just two seasons. UNLV is 9-2 this year with a shot at making the College Football Playoff, and is 18-7 over the past two seasons. Odom, who took over at his alma mater at Missouri following the retirement of Gary Pinkel, got his second crack at a head coaching gig after doing a remarkable job as Arkansas’ defensive coordinator from 2020-22. With his track record, Odom could have his pick of multiple openings as more Power Four vacancies become available over the next several weeks.

–Field Level Media

Nov 16, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Jacolby Criswell (12) dives for a touchdown as Wake Forest Demon Deacons defensive back Zamari Stevenson (17) defends in the second quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Omarion Hampton’ record-setting night carries UNC

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North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton ran for a career-high 244 yards and a touchdown, Power Echols returned an interception 42 yards for a touchdown and the Tar Heels made enough big plays to defeat visiting Wake Forest 31-24 on Saturday night at Chapel Hill, N.C.

Jacolby Criswell ran for a touchdown and threw for a score to help North Carolina (6-4, 3-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) to its third consecutive victory.

Wake Forest (4-6, 2-4) has lost back-to-back games, dropping a road game for the first time in four trips this year despite running back Demond Claiborne running for two touchdowns and 95 yards.

Starting quarterback Hank Bachmeier was replaced in the second half by Michael Kern, but the switch didn’t work out as Kern threw two interceptions and lost a fourth-quarter fumble.

Trailing 24-17, Wake Forest force a punt and took the ball over with 5:40 to play. Two plays later, Joshua Harris’ sack of Kern forced a fumble that was recovered by Travis Shaw at the Demon Deacons’ 18. From there, Hampton carried on five consecutive plays, the final one a 6-yard TD run.

Kern hit Taylor Morin for a 16-yard touchdown play with 1:15 left to make it a one-score game but Wake never got the ball back.

Hampton, who had 35 carries, set a team record with eight consecutive games of 100 or more rushing yards.

Criswell threw 15 yards to JJ Jones in the back of the end zone to snap a 10-10 tie with 9:26 left in the third quarter.

Echols’ momentum-shifting play off Kern’s throw extended North Carolina’s lead to 24-10 before the midway mark of the third.

Claiborne ran for TDs in the third quarter from 2 and 7 yards out.

North Carolina, which had been 0-2 in ACC home games, came up empty in the first quarter even though Hampton reached the 100-yard rushing mark. Noah Burnette clanked a 34-yard field-goal attempt off the upright on the Tar Heels’ second drive. Wake Forest scored first on Matthew Dennis’ 33-yard field goal on the next drive.

The Tar Heels have won four consecutive meetings in the series.

–Field Level Media

Oct 26, 2024; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Mack Brown walks off the field after the Tar Heels' game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

North Carolina bids to build steam in clash vs. Florida State

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North Carolina might have discovered a path back to getting some traction for the final month of the regular season.

Florida State’s search for success of any kind remains ongoing.

Those goals will be atop the to-do list when the Tar Heels face the Seminoles on Saturday afternoon in an Atlantic Coast Conference game in Tallahassee, Fla.

“They’re very talented,” North Carolina coach Mack Brown said of Florida State. “They’re going to play well against us. We know that, so it’s on us to come out and play well.”

The Tar Heels (4-4, 1-3) snapped a four-game skid with a 41-14 victory at Virginia last Saturday.

The Seminoles (1-7, 1-6) have lost four consecutive games and no longer even have the quest for bowl qualification as an incentive.

“I challenged players, coaches, everybody involved, our focus this week is to go get it done with the opportunity that is in front of us,” Florida State coach Mike Norvell said.

North Carolina’s romp vs. Virginia came with signs that Brown said point toward a strong finishing stretch for his team.

“Played loose, played free, had fun,” Brown said. “Winning is amazing. It solves a whole lot of issues.”

Brown said he sees the Seminoles in a similar light as his Tar Heels. He said both teams haven’t played as well as their skill levels would suggest. He said he fears Florida State will rise much like North Carolina did in the Virginia game.

Norvell said there are signs of improvement in rushing the ball, something that could be a boost to inconsistent quarterback play.

Florida State used quarterbacks Luke Kromenhoek and Brock Glenn in last week’s 36-14 loss at then-No. 6 Miami. Neither player completed more than half of his passes.

There are bound to be chances for a variety of players on the roster.

“Some young guys getting new opportunities,” Norvell said. “Guys that are fighting for more opportunities.”

With Florida State’s quarterback situation possibly in flux, the Tar Heels will be geared up again. They recorded 10 sacks at Virginia.

Brown said Tar Heels quarterback Jacolby Criswell has started to develop a better connection with offensive coaches. His 293 passing yards last week marked his second-highest total of the season.

“If Jacolby keeps doing what he’s doing, we have a chance to do at the end (of the season) what we thought we would,” Brown said.

These teams held national rankings a season ago, but they’re in danger of landing in the ACC basement. There’s plenty in common, including close defeats to Georgia Tech and Duke.

–Field Level Media

Oct 26, 2024; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers quarterback Anthony Colandrea (10) scrambles from North Carolina Tar Heels linebacker Amare Campbell (17) during the first half at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

North Carolina ends skid with convincing win over Virginia

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Omarion Hampton rushed for 105 yards and two touchdowns as visiting North Carolina snapped a four-game losing streak and with a convincing 41-14 victory over Virginia on Saturday afternoon in Charlottesville, Va.

Hampton averaged 4.0 yards on 26 carries and hauled in three passes for 37 yards. Jacolby Criswell completed 19 of 30 passes for 293 yards and two touchdowns for UNC (4-4, 1-3 ACC), while also rushing for 27 yards.

J.J. Jones had five receptions for 129 yards and caught touchdown passes of 37 and 31 yards.

Anthony Colandrea had 156 passing yards for Virginia (4-4, 2-3), while backup quarterback Tony Muskett threw the lone touchdown of the day for the Cavaliers, connecting with JR Wilson on a 68-yard strike.

Virginia got on the scoreboard first quarter with a 30-yard field goal from Will Bettridge on the opening drive, but didn’t reach the end zone until early in the fourth quarter. By then, North Carolina was well in front, taking a 38-6 lead when Jahvaree Ritzie intercepted Colandrea and returned it 84 yards for a touchdown.

A 290-pound defensive lineman, Ritzie stiff-armed Colandrea while rumbling down the sideline and got a key block from linebacker Amare Campbell as he scored with 17 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

UNC was able to pressure Virginia’s quarterbacks often, coming up with 10 sacks to set a singoe-game record for the program. Kaimon Rucker had an interception for UNC.

The Tar Heels held Virginia to just 7 rushing yards, a season-best for their defense and a season-low for the Cavaliers’ offense.

It was also the third time this season that North Carolina played a turnover-free game on offense.

It was North Carolina’s first victory wide receiver Tylee Craft died after a battle with cancer on Oct. 12. UNC and Virginia players wore Carolina Blue No. 13 stickers on their helmets in his honor.

–Field Level Media

Oct 12, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets running back Jamal Haynes (11) is hoisted in the air after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Georgia Tech stuns North Carolina with late 68-yard TD

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Jamal Haynes ran for a game-high 170 yards, including the go-ahead 68-yard touchdown with 16 seconds left, as visiting Georgia Tech beat North Carolina 41-34 in Atlantic Coast Conference play Saturday in Chapel Hill, N.C.

The game-winner was one of two rushing scores for Haynes, who helped the Yellow Jackets (5-2, 3-2) to their second straight win. Haynes King completed 11 of 22 passes for 127 yards, adding 107 rushing yards and a pair of scores on the ground for Georgia Tech.

Jacolby Criswell completed 17 of 31 passes for 209 yards with a touchdown for North Carolina (3-4, 0-3), which dropped its fourth straight game. Criswell added 73 yards and two scores on the ground. Omarion Hampton led the Tar Heels with 137 rushing yards.

The Yellow Jackets took a 27-14 lead with an eight-play, 67-yard drive that ended with King’s 7-yard touchdown run with 6:46 left in the third quarter. Noah Burnette cut into the Tar Heels’ deficit with a 50-yard field goal at the 2:53 mark.

After forcing a three-and-out, Alijah Huzzie scored on a 69-yard punt return for North Carolina, trimming Georgia Tech’s lead to 27-24 with 1:10 left in the third.

The Yellow Jackets answered with a 10-play, 75-yard drive that Haynes capped with a 4-yard touchdown run with 11:18 remaining in the fourth quarter. Criswell’s 1-yard score on fourth-and-goal pulled North Carolina within 34-31 with 3:27 to play.

The Tar Heels then forced a punt and drew even at 34-34 on Burnette’s 26-yarder with 44 seconds left. Haynes rushed for the winning score on the second play of Georgia Tech’s ensuing drive.

The visitors scored first after a six-play, 38-yard drive, stamped with Chad Alexander’s 2-yard run with 6:12 left in the first quarter.

Later in the first quarter, Criswell connected with J.J. Jones for a 53-yard pass to the Yellow Jacket 25-yard line. Criswell ran in the Tar Heels’ first score from 1 yard out two plays later.

Aidan Birr made a 26-yard field goal for Georgia Tech at the 7:36 mark of the second quarter. King rushed for a 20-yard touchdown with 1:54 left in the first half, extending the Yellow Jackets’ lead to 17-7.

Hampton broke off a 71-yard run to begin North Carolina’s next possession, which led to Criswell’s 4-yard touchdown pass to Jones with 34 seconds left. Birr’s 29-yard field goal with three seconds left put Georgia Tech ahead 20-14 at halftime.

–Field Level Media

Oct 5, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Omarion Hampton (28) riuns with the ball as Pittsburgh Panthers defensive lineman Nate Matlack (2) defends in the second quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Pitt upends North Carolina, 5-0 for first time since ’91

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Eli Holstein completed 25 of 42 passes for 381 yards, three touchdowns and an interception to lead Pittsburgh to a 34-24 win over North Carolina on Saturday afternoon in Chapel Hill, N.C.

The freshman quarterback also led the Panthers with 76 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in Pitt’s first win on North Carolina’s campus.

Desmond Reid had 11 catches for 155 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 55 yards as the Panthers improved to 5-0 for the first time since 1991. Raphael Williams Jr. and Censere Lee had touchdown catches for Pitt (5-0, 1-0 ACC).

Jacolby Criswell completed 24 of 45 passes for 269 yards and a touchdown for North Carolina (3-3, 0-2). Omarion Hampton rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown and Nate McCollum had 10 catches and 128 receiving yards. John Copenhaver had a touchdown catch for North Carolina, which has lost three in a row.

Pitt took the lead for good in the fourth quarter on an 11-play, 75-yard drive capped by Holstein’s 3-yard touchdown run for a 31-24 lead. On the next Tar Heels possession, Pitt stopped Hampton on a fourth-and-1 attempt inside the Pitt 10-yard line and took over on downs with 9:08 left.

Pitt opened the scoring when its first drive stalled out at the UNC 6-yard line as Ben Sauls connected on a 24-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead.

After Pitt forced North Carolina into a three-and out, the Tar Heels took a 7-3 lead when Kaleb Cost jumped a third-down out route and returned an interception 84 yards for a touchdown.

Early in the second quarter, Holstein hit Reid over the middle for a 72-yard gain to set up Lee’s 7-yard touchdown catch and put Pitt back up 10-7.

North Carolina answered on its next possession with a 34-yard field goal by Noah Burnette. On Pitt’s next drive, Holstein found Williams Jr. on a crossing route for a 30-yard touchdown and a 17-10 Pitt lead with 5:41 left in the first half.

The Tar Heels came right back with a 3-yard touchdown run by Hampton to tie the game at 17 just before halftime.

A 46-yard diving completion to Konata Mumpfield set up Reid’s 2-yard touchdown catch and gave Pitt a 24-17 lead with nine minutes left in the third.

At 2:07 in the third, Criswell hit Copenhaver on a post route for an 11-yard touchdown catch to tie the game at 24.

Sauls’ 37-yard field goal with two minutes left provided the final margin for the Panthers.

–Field Level Media

Sep 21, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Eli Holstein (10) runs with the ball against Youngstown State Penguins defensive lineman Jabarrek Hopkins (16) during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Pitt brings undefeated mark on road to face UNC

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Pitt aims to keep its undefeated start going Saturday when it opens Atlantic Coast Conference play against North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C.

The Panthers (4-0, 0-0 ACC) are coming off a bye week. In its previous game, Pitt dominated FCS Youngstown State 73-17 on Sept. 21 at home. Quarterback Eli Holstein accounted for 340 yards of total offense and five touchdowns.

Meanwhile, the Tar Heels (3-2, 0-1) have lost back-to-back games. North Carolina fell 70-50 at home to James Madison on Sept. 21, then followed that with a 21-20 loss at rival Duke on Saturday. The Tar Heels went ahead 20-0 before blowing the lead in the second half vs. the Blue Devils.

Because the Tar Heels endured two straight disappointing defeats, critics of the team — and those calling for Mack Brown’s job — have become even louder. Brown, 73, is in the sixth season of his second stint at North Carolina. His loss to Duke last weekend was his first against the Blue Devils since 1989.

“We live in a world with opinions — even reporters,” Brown said. “Some are professional and some want to be tabloid because they’re trying to get better jobs and it gives them more splash. I got it. I lived in your business, I did that.

“When you lose a game, you give negative people a chance to be really loud, and that’s what they do. They become very powerful and that’s OK. … Fans have always been angry at people. It’s just more public now and everybody’s got an opinion.”

What’s undeniable is that North Carolina is giving up a lot of points this season, an average of 27.6 per game, which is the third-worst mark in the ACC.

On offense, the Tar Heels are leaning on running back Omarion Hampton, who leads the FBS in carries with 114. Hampton has rushed for an ACC-best 658 yards in five games to go along with six touchdowns.

“North Carolina’s a talented football team,” Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said. “They have players. But guess what? The other teams do, too. We’re going to bring in some talented players as well this week. Duke’s undefeated. It’s not like they got beat by a poor Duke team.”

Holstein — a redshirt freshman transfer from Alabama — has been a breakout star for Pitt, completing 67.4 percent of his passes for 1,183 yards, 12 touchdowns and just two interceptions. He also has rushed for 189 yards and two scores.

The good news for Holstein is that running back Desmond Reid will be back in the mix after missing the game against Youngstown State. The junior totaled 486 yards of total offense and four touchdowns on 57 touches during Pitt’s first three games.

North Carolina has won two straight against Pitt by an average margin of 17.5 points. The Tar Heels are 12-5 all-time against the Panthers.

–Field Level Media