Tag: North Carolina Tar Heels

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

Posted on | by Field Level Media

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

Sep 21, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Jacolby Criswell (12) reacts with wide receiver J.J. Jones (5) in the first quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

North Carolina draws archrival Duke after embarrassing loss

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Looking ahead to Saturday’s game at Duke is the top priority for North Carolina after last week’s disturbing result and a hectic few days.

Tar Heels coach Mack Brown said it’s a good time to play the neighboring Blue Devils in Durham, N.C., because the Tar Heels need to bond together for a common cause.

Duke (4-0) will play its third home game, while the Tar Heels (3-1) will arrive wounded after a 70-50 home loss to James Madison.

That outcome spawned an array of upheaval regarding Brown’s longevity and a long list of defensive deficiencies. Reports that Brown offered to step down were rebuffed by the winningest active Division I coach.

“I love my job and I want to keep doing it,” Brown said. “Excited about the future and love my job. Love these kids, and I love this place, and that’s why I hate losing so much. … Let’s go, let’s move forward. Can’t wait to get back to work and go play Duke.”

Brown and his coordinators have provided the only explanations for what happened in the James Madison game and the challenges of facing Duke. Tar Heels players weren’t available for comment after Saturday’s game or leading up to the Duke game.

“Obviously, a lot of things to fix,” Brown said. “We couldn’t have done more things wrong in a game.”

It’s the Atlantic Coast Conference opener for both programs.

Duke first-year coach Manny Diaz said playing a longtime rival to start league play is a big deal.

“All other types of distractions which really aren’t the focus of what actually will matter Saturday at 4 o’clock which is how well we block, how well we tackle, how well we throw, how well we catch,” Diaz said.

Jacolby Criswell became the third North Carolina starting quarterback of the season in the James Madison game. Turnovers hurt the Tar Heels, but Criswell gave a boost to the offense.

“I think it’s all there,” Brown said. “This offense can be really, really good after what we saw from Jacolby.”

Duke quarterback Maalik Murphy, who’s in his first season in the program, threw three touchdowns last week against Middle Tennessee.

However, Diaz said the Blue Devils can’t be content with airing it out against North Carolina. Duke running back Star Thomas has exceeded the 100-yard rushing mark in each of the past two games

“Not just the way that he can see holes, but what he does when he gets downfield,” Diaz said. “His toughness is inspiring our football team.”

Duke’s defense is averaging 11 1/2 tackles for loss. That could be troublesome for North Carolina’s offensive line.

“We’ve got our hands full,” Brown said.

North Carolina prevailed 47-45 in double overtime against Duke in Chapel Hill last year to claim the Victory Bell.

–Field Level Media

Sep 21, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; James Madison Dukes tight end Taylor Thompson (17) reacts with tight end Josh Phifer (89) after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Alonza Barnett’s 5 TDs help James Madison top UNC 70-50

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Alonza Barnett III threw for five touchdowns and ran for two more as visiting James Madison scored in a variety of ways in stunning North Carolina 70-50 on Saturday afternoon in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Barnett finished 22-for-34 for 388 passing yards and cranked out 99 rushing yards on 13 carries.

Omarion Dollison gained 125 receiving yards on three catches and Cam Ross had 107 yards on seven receptions. They both caught a TD pass.

Barrett threw 11 yards to Logan Kyle for a touchdown with 4:26 left, and the extra-point kick by Noe Ruelas made it 70-44, matching the most points ever scored against North Carolina.

James Madison scored on a blocked punt and an interception in the first half in a dominant performance by first-year coach Bob Chesney’s team. The teams combined for the most points in Kenan Stadium history in a game that lasted nearly four hours.

North Carolina’s 616 yards were nearly matched by James Madison’s 611.

The Dukes (3-0) had 418 first-half yards of offense. Combined with North Carolina’s four turnovers, James Madison was up 53-21 by halftime, marking the most points the Tar Heels had ever allowed in a first half.

It was the final tune-up for North Carolina (3-1) before next week’s Atlantic Coast Conference opener at Duke. Running back Omarion Hampton picked up 139 yards on 19 carries with three touchdowns for the Tar Heels.

Jacolby Criswell, who was the third starting quarterback this season for North Carolina, threw for 475 yards and three touchdowns on 28-for-48 passing to go with two interceptions.

The Tar Heels were within 25-21 early in the second quarter before Barrett threw two TD passes and ran for a 27-yard score in a span of slightly more than three minutes.

James Madison’s first touchdown came on Jayden Mines’ 14-yard return of a blocked punt. In the final minute of the first half, Terrence Spence returned a Criswell interception 33 yards for a touchdown.

The Tar Heels scored back-to-back touchdowns — the latter off a blocked punt — to close within 60-38 with 3:08 to play in the third quarter. Hampton’s second touchdown run made it 63-44 with 11 minutes left, though a two-point conversion play failed.

–Field Level Media

Jul 25, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Max Brosmer speaks to the media during the Big 10 football media day at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

New QBs highlight UNC-Minnesota opener

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Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck chuckled as he recalled a conversation between his staff and the coaching staff at New Hampshire, an FCS program.

The subject of their discussion was quarterback Max Brosmer, who shined during 36 games over parts of four seasons at New Hampshire and will make his Golden Gophers debut on Thursday against North Carolina in Minneapolis.

Brosmer led the FCS in passing yards last season and was named a second-team FCS All-American.

Now, Brosmer was transferring to Minnesota. His old coaches were thrilled.

“They were so excited for him,” Fleck said with a smile. “That meant one of two things. One, he wasn’t as good as (we) thought, and they were glad to get rid of him — which was not the case. Or two, it was, ‘We’re really happy for this young man. This is the best opportunity for him. It’s about Max, it’s not about us.’”

Behind Brosmer, Fleck’s squad is looking to bounce back from a 6-7 campaign last season. North Carolina, meanwhile hopes to put together its third winning season in a row after posting nine victories in 2022 and eight in 2023.

The Tar Heels also will feature a new starter under center, although they are being much more open-ended than Minnesota about who that starter will be. Max Johnson and Conner Harrell competed throughout training camp to take over for departed starter Drake Maye, who was selected No. 3 overall by the New England Patriots in this year’s NFL draft.

North Carolina coach Mack Brown said Johnson and Harrell would split playing time.

“Right now, we’re planning on playing both quarterbacks, depending on how the game dictates,” Brown said. “We want to have two quarterbacks ready to play. That’s important to us. Very few people do that.

“We would like to play two quarterbacks, and we would like to do it for the season. … Conner and Max are the same in some ways, but they’re different in others, and the offensive staff has done a really good job of blending the line with what both of them do best.

“So I feel really good going into the game about the plan for both of those because they’ve tailored it to where the quarterback that’s in the game will have things that he can do best.”

The game will mark the debut of Corey Hetherman as Minnesota’s defensive coordinator. Hetherman replaced Joe Rossi, who left for the same role at Michigan State.

The Golden Gophers’ biggest challenge on defense likely will be how to stop junior running back Omarion Hampton, who rushed for 1,504 yards and 15 touchdowns for North Carolina last season. He also caught 29 passes for 222 yards and a score.

“They’ve got a stable of running backs,” Fleck said. “They always do. They’ve got really good receivers. Everybody’s talking about, well, Drake Maye is not there. But they reloaded. They didn’t rebuild; they reloaded with the guys that they have.”

Meanwhile, Minnesota running back Darius Taylor was dealing with an injury from training camp and his status was uncertain for Thursday. Taylor rushed for 799 yards and five touchdowns in six games as a freshman in 2023.

–Field Level Media

Dec 27, 2023; Charlotte, NC, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Garrett Greene (6) in action during the first half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

West Virginia’s defense stuffs North Carolina in Mayo Bowl

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Lee Kpogba’s 12 tackles led the West Virginia defense as the Mountaineers defeated North Carolina 30-10 in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on Wednesday evening in Charlotte, N.C.

The Tar Heels came into the game averaging 36.6 points per contest, good for 16th in the FBS. West Virginia (9-4) sacked North Carolina quarterback Conner Harrell seven times.

WVU quarterback Garrett Greene was 11-of-22 passing for 204 yards and a touchdown. He also led the Mountaineers with 75 yards rushing.

North Carolina (8-5) lost for the fifth time in its past seven games. Harrell was 18-of-27 passing for 199 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.

Neither team could generate much offense in the third quarter, but UNC’s best drive ended in an interception. Michael Hayes later gave West Virginia a 20-10 lead with a 34-yard field goal with 2:40 left in the quarter.

After forcing a North Carolina punt, the Mountaineers went 78 yards in two plays to open a three-score advantage. Jahiem White ran to the end zone from 11 yards out to give West Virginia a 27-10 lead with 12:48 left in the game. Greene opened the drive with a 48-yard run.

Hayes then connected on a 29-yard field goal to give WVU its final points.

West Virginia jumped out to a 7-0 lead on the first play from scrimmage. Greene found Traylon Ray behind the secondary and Ray ran untouched to the end zone for a 75-yard TD.

Both teams soon had drives ended by turnovers. Harrell threw an interception in the end zone to stop North Carolina’s second drive. On the Mountaineers’ ensuing possession, DJ Oliver rushed for a first down on third-and-1 and fumbled, with UNC securing the loose ball.

Harrell again moved North Carolina down the field. But a false start on fourth-and-1 at the West Virginia 6-yard line kept the Tar Heels from attempting to punch it in. UNC settled for a 28-yard field goal by Noah Burnette.

Another big play extended the lead for West Virginia. Beanie Bishop Jr. grabbed a line-drive punt on his own 22-yard line and raced up the left sideline before cutting across the field around midfield. He wound up going 78 yards for a score that put the Mountaineers up 14-3.

Harrell found J.J. Jones for a 16-yard touchdown with 27 seconds left in the first half to draw UNC within 14-10, but Hayes kicked a 30-yard field goal on the final play of the period to send WVU into the locker room with a 17-10 lead.

–Field Level Media

Nov 25, 2023; Waco, Texas, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers running back Jahiem White (22) makes the game winning 29-yard touchdown catch against the Baylor Bears during the second half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports

West Virginia, UNC have taken different paths to bowl meeting

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Teams often head into bowl season with different expectations and attitudes, and the Duke’s Mayo Bowl is no different. Neither West Virginia nor North Carolina was expected to be in this bowl game but for entirely different reasons.

West Virginia (8-4) was picked in the preseason Big 12 poll and head coach Neal Brown firmly was on the hot seat. The Mountaineers finished 6-3 in the Big 12, good for a tie for fourth place.

The Mountaineers are probably excited to be here.

North Carolina (8-4) had national championship aspirations and was ranked as high as No. 10 after winning its first six games. But UNC lost four of its final six games to finish 4-4 in the ACC, in a three-way tie for sixth place.

The Tar Heels probably are struggling for motivation.

“The goal is to make this an enjoyable experience for our players and to get a ninth win,” Brown said when the matchup was announced. “It’s a quality matchup, and I have a lot of respect for (North Carolina coach) Mack Brown, what he’s done during his coaching career and how he conducts his business.

“They’re one of the top 10 offenses in the country, and they’re really balanced. We know their personnel well because we recruited a lot of their guys and didn’t get them.”

West Virginia is one of the nation’s best rushing teams, averaging 234.3 yards per game, third among FBS teams. The Mountaineers spread it around, with three different backs rushing for at least 64 yards per game. Jahiem White leads with 72 yards per game. Garrett Greene (13) and CJ Donaldson Jr. (11) each have double figures in touchdowns.

The Duke’s Mayo Bowl is West Virginia’s 40th bowl appearance, including 19 in the past 22 years. This is the third meeting between the two schools, all in bowl games, with each winning once.

Maybe the mayonnaise bath that goes to the winning coach will help UNC smooth some bruised egos.

“We need to win,” Brown said. “I’d let someone hit me with a frying pan 365 days if we won. Mayonnaise is easy.”

Brown’s biggest concern will be replacing star quarterback Drake Maye, who likely will be selected early in the 2024 NFL Draft. Maye passed for 3,608 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2023, but he opted out of the bowl game to focus on his preparation for the draft.

He’ll be replaced by freshman Conner Harrell.

Harrell has appeared mostly in late-game situations. He played in four games, completing 4-of-6 passes with one touchdown. But he knows it’s his time to shine.

“This is an opportunity to prove what I can do, how I can play,” Harrell said of his preparation for his first start. “So definitely every practice, no matter if we’re in shorts or pads, every throw is an opportunity to show what I can do.”

The Tar Heels will be very thin at two other positions: tight end and wide receiver. Bryson Nesbit and John Copenhaver are injured and Kamari Morales is in the transfer portal. The Tar Heels will have no scholarship tight ends making the trip. The only tight end on the depth chart to have caught a pass is redshirt freshman Deems May.

At wide receiver, Devontez Walker’s departure for the NFL and Kobe Paysour’s foot injury means a lot of attention will be on UNC’s fourth-leading receiver in 2023, Nate McCollum.

–Field Level Media

Nov 25, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (8) makes a throw against the Wisconsin Badgers during the second quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports

Transfer portal: QB Athan Kaliakmanis leaving Minnesota

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Minnesota starting quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis intends to enter the transfer portal with two years of eligibility remaining, he stated on Tuesday.

As a sophomore this season, Kaliakmanis completed 156 of 294 passes (53.1 percent) for 1,838 yards, 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 12 games for a 115.2 passer rating.

“Minnesota will always be an important place in my life and one that I believe has helped me grow immensely, both as a player and a man for the last three years,” Kaliakmanis wrote on X. “After several days of discussion with my family, I am announcing my intention to enter the transfer portal with 2 years of eligibility left.”

His backup, fifth-year senior Cole Kramer, played in two games and his only pass was intercepted. Kramer has one season of eligibility remaining. Drew Viotto, a freshman who didn’t see action for Minnesota this season, also announced his intention to transfer elsewhere.

The Golden Gophers, who went 5-7, could have another quarterback in contention for playing time next season. Max Brosmer, who led the FCS in passing yards (3,449) and passing yards per game (313.5) and was second in touchdown passes (29) at New Hampshire, entered the transfer portal and announced on X on Monday that Minnesota offered him a scholarship.

–Ten Michigan State players have entered the transfer portal since the Spartans (4-8) ended their season with a loss to Penn State on Friday and announced former Oregon State coach Jonathan Smith as their new head coach on Saturday.

On Tuesday, Noah Kim joined two other scholarship quarterbacks — redshirt freshman Katin Houser and freshman Sam Leavitt — already in the portal.

A redshirt junior, Kim played in five games this season and was 91 of 160 for 1,090 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions.

Kim, a former starter, will be joined in the transfer portal by wide receivers Christian Fitzpatrick and Tyrell Henry and offensive linemen Geno VanDeMark, Spencer Brown, Kevin Wigenton II and Ethan Boyd.

–North Carolina junior defensive lineman Kedrick Bingley-Jones announced that he is entering the transfer portal.

The 6-foot-4, 305-pounder appeared in four games this year and make two solo tackles, including one for loss. He played in 26 games total for the Tar Heels in three seasons.

–Field Level Media