CHARLOTTE – In a game that fans from two states circled on their calendars months in advance, the North Carolina Tar Heels faced off against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. With a strong defensive effort and a balanced offense, the Tar Heels emerged victorious with a final score of 31-17.

The Tar Heels had several standout players during the game. British Brooks had 18 receiving yards and 3 receptions, as well as 103 rushing yards. Drake Maye had 269 passing yards and 2 touchdowns, as well as 25 rushing yards. Kobe Paysour had 66 receiving yards, 7 receptions, and 1 touchdown. John Copenhaver had 52 receiving yards, 3 receptions, and 1 touchdown. Omarion Hampton had 37 rushing yards and scored 2 touchdowns.

In the first half of the game, the Tar Heel defense was able to stop the Gamecocks’ first possession with a three-and-out. The Tar Heels then quickly took control of the game, scoring a touchdown on a one-yard run by Omarion Hampton after a 70-yard drive that took just 3:55. The Gamecocks responded with a 75-yard drive of their own, tying the score at 7-7 with 6:29 left in the first quarter.

As the second quarter progressed, both teams settled into the game. Ryan Coe kicked a 37-yard field goal for the Tar Heels, putting them ahead 10-7 with 7:05 left before halftime. However, the Gamecocks came back strong, scoring a touchdown on a 72-yard drive in just 1:42 to retake the lead at 14-10. The Tar Heels responded with another touchdown drive, led by Drake Maye, who completed all three of his passes for 67 yards and connected with Kobe Paysour on a 34-yard score. This put the Tar Heels back in the lead at 17-14 with 2:50 left before halftime. The UNC defense was also impressive, limiting USC to just five first-half rushing yards.

In the second half, the Tar Heels continued to dominate. Omarion Hampton scored his second rushing touchdown of the night, putting Carolina up by two scores at 24-14 with 11:35 left in the third quarter. Maye then connected with John Copenhaver for an 18-yard touchdown pass, making the score 31-14 Tar Heels with 6:29 remaining in the third quarter.

Despite intercepting two of Maye’s passes in the second half, South Carolina was only able to score a field goal, cutting the lead to 31-17. The Gamecocks made one final push into UNC territory in the fourth quarter but were unable to score and gave up the ball on downs with 3:23 left to play.

North Carolina takes on in-state rival App State next Saturday at Kenan Stadium. Kickoff is set for 5:15 pm.

With ESPN's College Gameday in Charlotte this weekend, the "Battle of the Carolinas" highlights what is an exciting opening weekend of college football in North Carolina. The Duke's Mayo Classic will see the North Carolina Tar Heels and the South Carolina Gamecocks battling Saturday night in Bank of America Stadium.

While the Tar Heels and Gamecocks don’t play each other often enough to sustain a heated rivalry like UNC has with Duke and NC State, this game is still an opportunity for both teams to set their teams on a trajectory toward success in 2023 while also getting a chance to represent their respective states. The game encompasses so much more than just football, it’s a chance to celebrate the history and culture of both North and South Carolina.

One key player to watch in this game is North Carolina’s sophomore quarterback Drake Maye. Maye is one of college football’s top returning players this fall and is heavily involved in early Heisman projections.

This game promises to be an exciting and hard-fought battle between two talented teams. Fans from both states will be eagerly watching to see who comes out on top in this year’s “Battle of the Carolinas.”

Other Big Games

East Carolina at Michigan: East Carolina opens its season at No. 2 Michigan. Under fifth-year head coach Mike Houston, East Carolina closed the 2022 season winning five of its last seven games before finishing with an 8-5 overall record. The Pirates became bowl-eligible for the second consecutive season and earned their 10th bowl victory in program history with a 53-29 win over Coastal Carolina in the TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl. Saturday’s game against Michigan will mark the third time the Pirates have faced a team ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in the Associated Press poll.

Gardner Webb at Appalachian State: The Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs head up the mountain to take on the Appalachian State Mountaineers at Kidd Brewer Stadium. App State, which is 9-1 against FCS teams since its FBS transition in 2014, is facing a ranked FCS team for the first time since the Mountaineers’ final SoCon season in 2013. This game will kick off at 3:30 and will be broadcast on ESPN+.

Greensboro at Guilford: Greensboro College plays against crosstown rival Guilford College in the 23rd edition of the Gate City Soup Bowl Saturday at 7. Fans are encouraged to wear crimson as it is the football team’s BLEED CRIMSON game. Fans who bring three canned goods received free admission into the game, as part of a canned food drive to benefit Second Harvest and Greensboro Urban Ministries.

COLUMBIA – Coming off an emotional first win of the season, the Charlotte 49ers were riding high and looking for an upset over the Southeastern Conference’s South Carolina Gamecocks. For one half, it all appeared possible. After matching the Gamecocks drive for drive to start the game, the Charlotte 49ers self-imploded in the third quarter, throwing interceptions on three straight drives, and allowing South Carolina to cruise to a 56-20 win in front of a sellout crowd of 77,982 at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia.

South Carolina took the opening kickoff and marched right down the field with MarShawn Lloyd toting the rock for the home team. The Charlotte defense stepped up when it counted, forcing the Gamecocks to settle for a short, Mitch Jeter field goal. Charlotte’s first drive was a bit more successful. Super senior Chris Reynolds was 7 of 10 for sixty-seven yards on the opening offensive before finding tight end Jake Clemons in the back of the end zone to give the Forty-Niners a first-quarter lead, 7-3.

Lloyd and the Gamecocks opened the second quarter with a bang and a play that will show on highlight reels throughout the season. The redshirt sophomore, who played his high school ball at national power Dematha Catholic, hurdled a 49ers defender on his way to a twenty-five-yard score to give the home team the lead less than ten seconds into the quarter. Just like they had the first time, Chris Reynolds and the Charlotte defense marched right back down the field. Reynolds completed seven passes to four different receivers on the drive, with Victor Tucker hauling in the final pass of the drive under the south goalpost to help the 49ers retake the lead.

Christian Beal-Smith, a former East Forsyth and Wake Forest standout who transferred to South Carolina in the spring, helped the Gamecocks retake the lead when he dove over top of a pile of players on a fourth down from one yard out. A second Jeter field goal extended the lead to six going into the half. It was the first of two scores for the graduate transfer.

For as great as it seemed the first half went for Charlotte, the second half was anything but. Starting with a three-and-out took away any chance at momentum to start the third quarter, but it was a string of interceptions on three straight drives that truly put the nail in the coffin of the Forty-Niners’ chances. The three turnovers, along with the two punts that sandwiched them, led to twenty-nine unanswered points and a commanding lead for the home team. Charlotte clawed back to get a late touchdown pass from James Foster to Elijah Spencer, but it was too little, too late for an offense that only gained only thirty-four yards in the third quarter.

With the loss, Charlotte fell to 0-3 against the SEC in its decade-long history.

Notable North Carolinians

Christian Beal-Smith (East Forsyth) – the graduate running back rushed for XX yards and two touchdowns.

Chris Reynolds (Davie) – the redshirt senior quarterback threw for two touchdowns in the first half

Next Week

Charlotte (1-4, 0-1) returns home to face UTEP (2-3) in the 49ers’ Conference USA home opener while South Carolina (2-2) takes on in-state FCS foe South Carolina State.

CHARLOTTE – The North Carolina Tar Heels fell to the South Carolina Gamecocks, 38-21, in the Duke's Mayo Bowl on Thursday afternoon in Bank of America Stadium.

Dakereon Joyner was a perfect 9 of 9 for 160 yards and a touchdown for South Carolina. The MVP of the game also added 64 yards on the ground. Jaheim Bell got the party started for the Gamecocks with two 60+ yard touchdowns in the first quarter. 

Sam Howell was 12 of 20 on the day for 205 yards and one touchdown. British Brooks led the Tar Heels on the ground with 72 yards and a score. Cedric Gray paced the Tar Heel defense with thirteen tackles and a sack. Cam'Ron Kelly and Power Echols also had double-digit tackles for UNC on the afternoon.

South Carolina improves its win total by five with the win in today's bowl. With the loss, North Carolina falls to 6-7 on the season. The Tar Heels will open the 2022 season against Florida A&M.