Saturday night’s ACC Network game from Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh will be the 113th meeting between the NC State Wolfpack and the North Carolina Tar Heels. The Tar Heels, recovering from a loss at Clemson, are preparing to face their rivals in the final game of the 2023 regular season. The Tar Heels’ offense, which averages 38.1 points per game, is the 12th highest nationally, and they’ve been successful on third downs, converting 49.7% of them. Quarterback Drake Maye and running back Omarion Hampton have been key players, with Maye throwing at least one touchdown pass in 10 of the 11 games this season and Hampton rushing for 100 yards in six consecutive games.

On the other side, the Wolfpack have been formidable opponents under the guidance of head coach Dave Doeren, the winningest coach in school history with 80 wins at NC State. They are one of only four teams in the Power 5 that have won eight or more games in each of the last four seasons. Their defense, which leads the ACC in total defense and scoring defense vs. league opponents, has been particularly impressive. In the last nine games, the Wolfpack defense has allowed just 88.5 rushing yards per game. During that span, three opponents have rushed for less than 100 yards. This game promises to be a thrilling end to the regular season, with both teams bringing their A-game to the field for bragging rights and a claim to best FBS team in the state.

NCAA Division II Playoffs (Round 2)

Lenoir-Rhyne vs Benedict: The Lenoir-Rhyne Bears are set to face the Benedict Tigers in the NCAA Division II playoffs this Saturday. The Bears have had a strong season, with an 11-1 record and an average of 40.17 points per game. Their rushing game is led by Dwayne McGee, who has gained 1213 yards with an average of 110.27 yards per game. In the passing game, Jalen Ferguson has completed 111 out of 154 attempts, throwing for 1468 yards and 16 touchdowns. The receiving corps is led by DeAree Rogers, who has made 43 catches for 621 yards and 6 touchdowns. On defense, Jon Ross Maye leads the team with 86 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. The Bears' defense has been particularly effective, with 35 sacks and 13 interceptions this season. The team's overall performance has been impressive, with an average of 443.7 yards per game. This game promises to be a thrilling encounter, with the Bears looking to leverage their strong performance this season against the formidable Tigers.

NCAA FCS Playoffs (Round )

Gardner-Webb vs. Mercer: This Saturday, the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs, under the guidance of Head Coach Tre Lamb, a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award, will face off against the Mercer Bears in the NCAA FCS playoffs. The Bulldogs have had a strong season, with back-to-back conference championships for the first time since 2002 and 2003, and an undefeated home record. Their offense, led by Lamb, has been aggressive, averaging 34.7 points per game in conference games and converting 24 of their 37 fourth-down attempts. On the defensive end, Ty French has set a new school record for career sacks with 30.5 and has been named a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award. Running back Narii Gaither has also made history, becoming just the second player in program history to rush for at least 3,000 yards. The Bulldogs have a record of 9-36 against FCS teams ranked inside the national polls, but they defeated #13/14 UT Martin earlier this season. Freshman quarterback Jaylen King, a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, has gone 5-1 in his first six career starts, including leading the Bulldogs to a 38-34 upset victory over #13/14 UT Martin. This game promises to be a thrilling encounter, with the Bulldogs looking to leverage their strong performance this season against the formidable Bears.

North Carolina Central vs. Richmond: This Saturday at 3pm, the NCAA FCS playoff game between North Carolina Central and Richmond is set to be a thrilling showdown. NCCU, with a record of 9-2 overall and 4-1 in conference play, has been a force to reckon with this season. They have outscored their opponents 403 to 296, averaging 36.64 points per game. Their rushing attack, led by Latrell Collier with 684 yards and 8 touchdowns, and Davius Richard with 579 yards and 15 touchdowns, has been particularly potent. Richard has also been impressive in the passing game, completing 60.98% of his passes for 1915 yards and 20 touchdowns. On the receiving end, Devin Smith and Joaquin Davis have been key contributors, with 505 and 404 receiving yards respectively. On the defensive side, Jayden Flaker leads the team with 74 total tackles and 4.5 sacks. With a rare appearance in the FCS playoffs, NCCU is poised to give a tough fight to the University of Richmond.

Honoring NCCFB Legend Armanti Edwards 

App State vs. Georgia Southern: App State will host Georgia Southern at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone in a game that will be broadcast on ESPNU Saturday afternoon at 3:30. App State leads the series 21-16-1 overall and 14-5-1 in Boone. Leading the Mountaineers’ offense is quarterback Joey Aguilar with 2,975 passing yards and 29 touchdowns, receiver Kaedin Robinson with 45 catches for 609 yards and 8 touchdowns, and running back Nate Noel with 787 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns. Andrew Parker Jr. paces the App State defense with 98 tackles. The game will be a significant event, as it's not only the regular-season finale but also Senior Day, and the retirement of QB Armanti Edwards’ No. 14 jersey will take place at halftime. App State is also vying for a Sun Belt Championship Game berth. The team needs to beat Georgia Southern and have JMU win at Coastal Carolina to advance to face West champ Troy on Dec. 2.

CHAPEL HILL – Drake Maye’s quarterback keeper for a touchdown and successful two-point conversion pass made the difference as the #24 North Carolina Tar Heels defeated the visiting Duke Blue Devils in 2OT on Saturday night at Kenan Stadium. The Blue Devils had a chance to tie the game after Grayson Loftis hit Jordan Moore for a touchdown in the overtime period, but the two-point conversion pass was overthrown, and the Tar Heels faithful rushed the field in celebration of a big win over their rivals from Durham.

How it Happened:

The game kicked off with the North Carolina Tar Heels taking an early lead in the first quarter, with Drake Maye rushing for a touchdown and Noah Burnette adding a field goal. The Tar Heels continued their momentum into the second quarter with another field goal from Burnette. However, the Duke Blue Devils responded with a touchdown pass from Grayson Loftis to Jordan Moore and a rushing touchdown from Loftis himself, taking a brief lead. The Tar Heels managed to regain the lead just before halftime with another field goal from Burnette.

In the second half, the Tar Heels extended their lead with another field goal from Burnette in the third quarter. The fourth quarter saw a back-and-forth battle, with the Blue Devils’ Jordan Waters rushing for two touchdowns and the Tar Heels’ Omarion Hampton and Bryson Nesbit each scoring a touchdown. The Tar Heels managed to tie the game at the end of regulation with a field goal from Burnette. In overtime, both teams scored a field goal in the first round. In the second round, the Tar Heels scored a touchdown thanks to a rush from Maye, but the Blue Devils could only manage a touchdown, giving the Tar Heels a 47-45 victory.

Offensive Showdown:

The offensive prowess of both teams was on full display, with the Tar Heels amassing 537 total yards compared to Duke’s 379. North Carolina’s quarterback, Drake Maye, played a pivotal role, completing 28 of 43 passes for 342 yards and one touchdown. Maye also demonstrated his versatility with two rushing touchdowns, contributing significantly to the Tar Heels’ offensive strategy.

Maye’s favorite targets included Devontez Walker, who racked up an impressive 162 receiving yards, and Bryson Nesbit, who secured a touchdown with a 15-yard reception. On the rushing front, Omarion Hampton led the Tar Heels with 169 yards and a crucial touchdown, showcasing the team’s multifaceted offensive approach.

Duke’s Grayson Loftis answered with a solid performance, completing 16 of 28 passes for 189 yards and three touchdowns. Jordan Moore was Loftis’s go-to receiver, notching three touchdown receptions and accumulating 88 receiving yards. Jordan Waters contributed significantly on the ground for Duke with two rushing touchdowns.

Defensive Struggles and Triumphs:

While the game was marked by offensive fireworks, both teams faced challenges on the defensive end. North Carolina’s Cedric Gray and Don Chapman made significant impacts, with Chapman registering a sack and Gray contributing 11 total tackles. The Tar Heels’ defense managed three sacks and six tackles for loss, disrupting Duke’s offensive rhythm at crucial moments.

Duke’s Tre Freeman led the defensive efforts with 14 total tackles, a sack, and 1.5 tackles for loss. Despite the defensive challenges, the Blue Devils’ Chandler Rivers made a critical interception, giving the ball back to the Blue Devils in the red zone and leading to Duke’s second touchdown.

The Takeaway:

North Carolina’s hopes of making the ACC title game are still alive with this win. The Tar Heels (8-2, 4-2) are a game behind Louisville with two weeks left to go in the regular season, but the road to Charlotte will be difficult with road matchups against Clemson and NC State left on the docket. Duke (6-4, 3-3) stays on the road next week at Virginia before returning home to face Pitt in the regular season finale.

In what promises to be an electrifying clash, Duke and North Carolina are set to renew their age-old rivalry in the 110th meeting, with the iconic Victory Bell hanging in the balance. The game, scheduled for Saturday at 8 p.m., will be broadcast live on ACC Network, amplifying the excitement for fans eagerly anticipating this gridiron showdown. The Tar Heels hold the historical edge in the series at 64-41-4, but recent encounters between the two teams have been nothing short of nail-biting. In the last meeting on October 15, 2022, fans witnessed a thrilling spectacle as Duke and North Carolina combined for a staggering 1,078 yards and seven lead changes. The Tar Heels ultimately secured a dramatic 38-35 victory with a go-ahead touchdown just 16 seconds before the final whistle, leaving Blue Devils fans stunned. Duke’s last triumph over North Carolina dates back to November 10, 2018, a memorable day when quarterback Daniel Jones set school records en route to a 42-35 victory. The Battle for the Victory Bell traces its roots back to 1948 when North Carolina claimed possession following a 20-0 win. The concept was born from the minds of the head cheerleaders from Duke and North Carolina, Loring Jones and Norman Sper, respectively. With Jones designing the model and Sper acquiring a bell from an old railroad train, Red Lewis, Duke’s business manager, found the funds to bring the idea to life.

Duke heads into this clash as the underdog, facing its fifth nationally-ranked opponent this season. The Blue Devils are 1-3 against Top-25 foes, with all three losses coming in hard-fought battles. However, they boast a potent offense, ranking sixth in the ACC with an average of 5.84 yards per play. The team’s resilience is evident, being one of only three schools nationally with all three losses against Top-25 opponents. Leading Duke’s defensive charge is redshirt sophomore linebacker Tre Freeman, who sits sixth in the ACC with 71 tackles this season. Freeman has been a force in recent games, compiling impressive statistics over the last five outings. Senior defensive end Ryan Smith, fresh off ACC Player of the Week honors, adds depth to the Blue Devils’ defensive prowess. On the flip side, North Carolina enters the contest with momentum, having secured a victory against Campbell after two midseason losses. The Tar Heels, under the leadership of Mack Brown, have dominated recent matchups, winning the last four encounters with Duke. They’ve been formidable as a ranked team, boasting a 57-24 record under Brown. Running back Hampton has been a standout for the Tar Heels, rushing for 100 yards in four consecutive games. Last week, he reached the 1,000-yard mark in just nine games, a feat not achieved since Giovani Bernard in 2012. The Tar Heels have been prolific in the red zone, scoring 37 times in 42 drives this season.

NC State vs. Wake Forest: In a clash that transcends time, NC State and Wake Forest are set to renew their historic rivalry in the 117th meeting between the two squads, making it the longest-continuous rivalry in the ACC and the second-longest in the FBS. With NC State holding a 68-42-6 advantage in their 132 years of football history, this matchup is steeped in tradition and carries significant weight for both teams. Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren, now the winningest coach in school history, leads a formidable squad into this contest. Linebacker Payton Wilson, a force on the field, leads the ACC in tackles and has been named the Butkus National LB of the Month. True freshman receiver KC Concepcion, a standout rookie, has made history by becoming the first true freshman in school history to achieve two 100+ yard games in a season and record six touchdown receptions. With a strong defense ranking in the top 20 nationally in multiple categories, the Wolfpack aims to extend its impressive record in Carter-Finley Stadium, having won 20 of the last 23 games at home. This matchup promises not only a battle for supremacy on the field but also a continuation of a rivalry that has withstood the test of time, dating back to the teams’ first encounter in 1895 when NC State was known as The North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. The Wolfpack and the Demon Deacons are set to create yet another chapter in the storied history of the ACC’s longest-continuous rivalry.

Delaware vs. Campbell: In a thrilling culmination of their 2023 home campaign, Campbell University’s Fighting Camels (4-5, 3-3 CAA) are gearing up to face the formidable No. 8 Delaware Blue Hens (7-2, 5-1 CAA) on Saturday, November 11, at Barker-Lane Stadium. As the season nears its end, the Fighting Camels will honor Military Appreciation Day and Senior Day, recognizing 25 seniors before their last home game. Despite a challenging matchup against FBS North Carolina last week, Campbell boasts the 25th-ranked scoring offense in FCS, averaging 31.2 points per game. Quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams, with a remarkable 73.4 percent completion rate, leads a dynamic offense that includes standout receivers Jalen Kelsey and VJ Wilkins. On the defensive front, CJ Tillman and Monchovia Gaffney spearhead the efforts with 82 and 58 tackles, respectively. Facing the Blue Hens for the first time, Campbell anticipates a fierce battle against a Delaware team coming off their lone CAA loss. Delaware’s quarterback Ryan O’Connor and rusher Marcus Yarns pose significant threats, setting the stage for an intense clash that will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of both teams’ seasons. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m., promising an exciting spectacle for fans at Barker-Lane Stadium.

CHAPEL HILL – In a college football showdown that had fans that no one expected to be close but left fans on the edge of their seats, the Virginia Cavaliers narrowly defeated the #10 North Carolina Tar Heels, 31-27, on Saturday night at Kenan Stadium. The game was a rollercoaster of emotions with both teams showing immense determination and skill, but in the end, it was the Cavaliers who emerged victorious.

First Quarter: Cavaliers Take Early Lead

The game started with a bang as the Virginia Cavaliers drew first blood with a brilliant 11-yard rushing touchdown by #7 Mike Hollins. The 7-play, 51-yard drive set the tone for an intense matchup. Kicker #41 Will Bettridge was successful with the extra point, and Virginia took an early 7-0 lead. However, the Tar Heels wasted no time in responding. Quarterback Drake Maye connected with Tez Walker for a 25-yard touchdown pass, which was expertly executed. Noah Burnette’s successful extra point tied the game at 7-7. Virginia wasn’t done in the first quarter, as Mike Hollins found the end zone again with a 3-yard rushing touchdown. The Cavaliers reclaimed the lead, finishing the quarter 14-7.

Second Quarter: Tar Heels Strike Back

The Tar Heels showed their resilience in the second quarter. Quarterback Drake Maye showcased his arm strength by throwing a 62-yard bomb to Bryson Nesbit, who raced to hit paydirt. Noah Burnette’s successful extra point once again tied the game at 14-14. Armani Chatman’s interception in the end zone late in the quarter secured North Carolina’s tenth scoreless quarter of the year. With just seconds left in the first half, Burnette added a 43-yard field goal for North Carolina, making him the the first Tar Heel kicker to make his first ten field goals in a season since Connor Barth in 2006. The Tar Heels took a 17-14 lead into halftime. 

Third Quarter: Tar Heels Maintain Control

North Carolina continued to build on their lead in the third quarter as Drake Maye rushed for a 3-yard touchdown. The Tar Heels were up 24-14 following Burnette’s extra point. Virginia responded as Mike Hollins plowed through the Tar Heels’ defense for a 1-yard touchdown. The score was 24-21 after Will Bettridge’s extra point. Late in the third quarter, Virginia managed to level the game at 24-24 with a 45-yard field goal by Bettridge.

Fourth Quarter: Cavaliers Seal the Win

In the final quarter, North Carolina briefly took the lead with a 27-yard field goal from Noah Burnette, making it 27-24 in favor of the Tar Heels, marking his fourth straight game with multiple field goals. Virginia, however, staged a remarkable comeback. Quarterback Tony Muskett threw a 14-yard pass to Malik Washington, who found the end zone. Will Bettridge’s extra point gave the Cavaliers a 31-27 lead. Despite North Carolina’s best efforts, they couldn’t overcome Virginia’s stout defense in the final moments. 

Player Performances

Virginia’s offensive efforts were led by Mike Hollins, who rushed for three touchdowns. Tony Muskett passed for 208 yards and threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Malik Washington. Mike Hollins scored three touchdowns for the Cavaliers.

North Carolina’s Drake Maye had an impressive performance, running for a score and throwing for 347 yards and two touchdowns, including a stunning 62-yard pass to Bryson Nesbit. Tez Walker caught 11 passes for 146 yards and one touchdown.

They Said It

Mack Brown: “Obviously, tonight was a disappointing loss for us. Congratulations to Virginia, they out-coached us and played better than us tonight. You don’t normally win the game when you give up 228 yards rushing and only rush for 143. We had chance after chance, but I think you'd have to say that we as coaches didn't prepare our guys very well…This week, we talked about poisoned cheese and we ate it. Tonight, we didn't punt the ball well, we were inconsistent on offense and we didn't score in the red zone when we needed to. We were four of 13 on third downs while they were eight of eight. We had a chance to win the game two times and didn't do it… Again, on critical plays, they made the plays and we didn't. I am disappointed tonight that we didn't play about like we did last year against him. Our guys played hard but we just didn't make plays. Now, we have to go back to work and go to Georgia Tech next week.” 

Up Next

North Carolina (6-1, 3-1) will play three of their last five games on the road, starting with a game against Georgia Tech (3-4, 2-2). Virginia (2-5, 1-2) remains on the road, traveling to Miami.

CHAPEL HILL - In yet another nail-biter of a showdown against Appalachian State, No. 17 North Carolina found themselves on the edge of their seats, but ultimately secured a thrilling 40-34 victory in double overtime.

The game was reminiscent of last year's clash in Boone, which ended with a jaw-dropping score of 63-61 and included the Mountaineers putting up an astounding 40 points in the fourth quarter. This time around, the Tar Heels had their nerves tested once again but managed to emerge victorious in front of their home crowd.

Drake Maye, quarterbacking for North Carolina, played a pivotal role in the Tar Heels' triumph. He showcased his versatility with a 13-yard rushing touchdown in the second overtime, providing the critical boost his team needed. The Tar Heels' defense stepped up when it mattered most, preserving the lead to secure the win and put an end to their six-game losing streak in overtime games.

Omarion Hampton was nothing short of spectacular for North Carolina, amassing a remarkable 234 rushing yards and tallying three touchdowns, including a crucial 17-yard run that helped level the score in the first overtime. On the opposing side, Nate Noel's 7-yard touchdown run during Appalachian State's first overtime possession kept the game neck-and-neck, as he finished the day with an impressive 127 yards on 26 carries.

The game had its fair share of twists and turns, with Ryan Coe, the Tar Heels' kicker, delivering two field goals but narrowly missing a crucial 39-yard attempt as the clock ticked down in regulation.

Despite Appalachian State leading on three separate occasions in the second half, the Tar Heels managed to maintain their composure and pull off the win. North Carolina's head coach, Mack Brown, commended his team's resilience, noting that they persevered when it mattered most.

Appalachian State's offense was potent, racking up a total of 494 yards, but they couldn't close out the game in Chapel Hill as they did back in 2019.

In the aftermath of this intense encounter, Appalachian State's coach, Shawn Clark, expressed pride in his team's performance, emphasizing their determination to bounce back and have a strong season.

Hampton, a sophomore standout, credited his offensive line for his exceptional performance, acknowledging their role in opening up running lanes for him. His second touchdown run, from 7 yards out with just over 9 minutes remaining, erased a brief Appalachian State lead. The Mountaineers managed to tie the game with a 33-yard field goal by Michael Hughes late in regulation.

Quarterback Joey Aguilar, leading the Mountaineers, had a commendable performance, completing 22 of 43 passes for 275 yards, along with two touchdowns and one interception.

Hampton's incredible first-half performance, where he rushed for 126 yards, marked a historic moment as he became the first Tar Heel to rush for 100 or more yards in consecutive home openers since Ethan Horton in the early 1980s. Additionally, Don Chapman, North Carolina's safety, contributed to the team's success with an interception in the third quarter, his first since 2020.

North Carolina made history of their own by playing consecutive overtime games at home for the first time, following a 2022 regular season-ending loss to North Carolina State.

In pregame ceremonies, Tez Walker, a North Carolina receiver who had been denied a waiver for immediate NCAA eligibility, was honored as an honorary captain, generating a strong response from Coach Brown following the NCAA's decision.

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.

The 2022 college football regular season and conference championships have come to a close. Five NCCFB FBS teams have qualified for postseason bowls. The Duke's Mayo Bowl returns to Charlotte in 2022 and will feature teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and Big Ten Conference.

Duke Blue Devils

Record: 8-4 (5-3 ACC)

Location: Navy-Marine Corps Stadium (Annapolis, Maryland)

Opponent:

Time: 2:00 PM

Tickets: http://militarybowl.org/tickets/

East Carolina Pirates

Record: 7-5 (4-4 AAC)

Location: Protective Stadium (Birmingham, Alabama)

Opponent:

Coastal Carolina (9-3, 6-2 SBC)

Date: December 27, 2022

Time: 6:45 PM

Tickets: https://ticketsmarterbirminghambowl.com/tickets/

NC State Wolfpack

Record: 8-4 (4-4 ACC)

Location: Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, North Carolina)

Opponent:

Maryland (7-5, 4-5 B1G)

Date: December 30, 2022

Time: 12:00 PM

Tickets: https://charlottesports.org/events/tickets/

North Carolina Tar Heels

Record: 9-4 (6-2 ACC, Coastal Division Champs)

Opponent:

Oregon (9-3, 7-2 PAC 12)

Date: December 28, 2022

Time: 8:00 PM

Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0A005D37CA7F5243

Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Record: 7-5 (3-5 ACC)

Opponent:

Missouri (6-6, 3-5 SEC)

Date: Friday, December 23

Time: 6:30 PM

Tickets: https://www.gasparillabowl.com/tickets/

Duke's Mayo Bowl

Teams: North Carolina State Wolfpack vs. Maryland Terrapins

Date: December 30, 2022

Time: 12:00

Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C.

Tickets: https://charlottesports.org/events/tickets/

 CHARLOTTE – Both the Clemson Tigers and North Carolina Tar Heels came into Saturday night’s ACC Championship Game off losses to their rivals and looking for a big win to secure a New Year’s Six bowl berth. Clemson's streak of six straight conference titles was snapped in 2021 and the Tigers were looking to reclaim their spot atop the conference. North Carolina was making its second trip to the conference title game and looking for its first title since 1980. The two schools met in the 2015 championship game with Clemson taking the title, 45-37. The 2022 edition of this matchup would not have the same fireworks with the Clemson Tigers overcoming a slow start to eventually blow away the Tar Heels, 39-10, in front of a raucous crowd of 64,115.

North Carolina opened the game strong, forcing a three-and-out on defense and then marching seventy-eight yards on eleven plays to land on the scoreboard first with a Drake Maye three-yard keeper. The Tar Heels were unable to maintain the early upper hand, though, as the UNC offense could only muster three more points the rest of the evening.

Former Weddington standout RB Will Shipley stretches for the pylon. Photo Credit: ACC Media Services

Dabo Swinney’s decision to swap quarterbacks paid dividends for the fifteenth-year head coach. After starting sluggishly on offense, Cade Klubnik came into the game on the third drive and the Tigers’ offense began to roar. Completing his first ten passes, including a one-yard touchdown toss to Davis Allen, catching a pass to set up a Phil Mafah rushing touchdown, and taking one in himself for another score, the freshman signal caller paced the Tigers to a three-score halftime lead.

Just when it looked like the Tar Heels were about to get back in the game in the third quarter, Clemson quarterback Nate Wiggins stepped in front of a pass at the two-yard line and raced the ninety-eight yards to the end zone for the spectacular pick-six. At this point, the rout was on and the only enemy of the Tigers was the clock.

Notable North Carolinians

Drake Maye (Myers Park) – the redshirt freshman passed for 268 yards and rushed for the Tar Heels’ lone touchdown

Will Shipley (Weddington) the sophomore running back scored a touchdown in the third quarter.

Trenton Simpson (Mallard Creek) the junior linebacker had eight tackles, including 1.5 for a loss and two quarterback hurries.

Up Next

Clemson (11-2) will represent the ACC in the Orange Bowl while North Carolina (9-4) will learn its bowl assignment on Sunday afternoon.

WINSTON-SALEM – Drake Maye threw for 448 yards and three
touchdowns and ran for a touchdown to lead the #15 ranked North Carolina Tar Heels
to a 36-34 win over Wake Forest on Saturday evening. Sam Hartman had 320 yards
and four touchdowns in the losing effort for the Demon Deacons.

UNC came out strong in the first quarter with Maye
connecting with Josh Downs, their first of three touchdown connections on the
night, six minutes into the game. The Tar Heels scored touchdowns on four of
their first five drives of the night.

When it seemed like the top-fifteen Heels were going to run
away with the game, the Wake Forest offense came alive, tallying touchdowns on three
straight drives in the first half, making it a one-score game at the half.

The Demon Deacons used the third quarter to take the lead
over the Tar Heels, with Hartman netting two of his scoring passes in the quarter.
After AT Perry made a great grab to give the home team the lead, Maye responded
for the Tar Heels, running it in from five yards out. It was the last touchdown
the Tar Heels would score on the evening. Wake Forest’s Donavon Green got
behind the defense, snagged in a ball from Hartman, and raced sixty yards to
the end zone to give the Demon Deacons a one-point lead going into the final
quarter.

North Carolina started the fourth quarter on the Wake Forest
one-yard line, but the Demon Deacons defense stepped up and stuffed the Tar Heels,
keeping them out of the end zone and turning them over on downs. Wake Forest
then marched ninety-one yards down the field on eleven plays before the UNC
defense returned the favor, stopping the Demon Deacons on downs. The decision
to not kick the field goal would come back to haunt Wake Forest as Noah
Burnette was able to kick the go-ahead field goal for the Tar Heels, giving
them a two-point lead, a margin that held through the final whistle.

Key Stats

North Carolina was 10 of 16 on third down while Wake Forest
was 3 of 12. Wake Forest was 4 of 6 on fourth down, though.

North Carolina led the time of possession battle, 33:02 to
26:58.

Both teams were great in the red zone with North Carolina
scoring six times on eight tries with Wake Forest scoring on three of their four
trips.

Notable North Carolinians

Drake Maye (Myers Park) – The redshirt freshman was 31 of 49
for 448 yards and three touchdowns while leading the team with 71 rushing yards
and a touchdown.

Sam Hartman (Davidson Day) – The senior quarterback threw
for 320 yards and four touchdowns. Hartman became just the second quarterback to
throw for over 100 touchdowns in his career.

Donavon Green (Mount Airy) – The sophomore receiver scored two
touchdowns on the evening for Wake Forest.

Cedric Gray (Ardrey Kell) – The junior linebacker led the Tar
Heels with nine tackles, including five solo tackles.

Next Week

Both teams are at home next Saturday as North Carolina (9-1,
6-0) hosts Georgia Tech at 5:30pm while Wake Forest (6-4, 2-4) hosts Syracuse
at 8:00 pm.

DURHAM – An eight-yard Drake Maye touchdown pass to Antoine
Green at the edge of the endzone with 16 seconds left helped the North Carolina
Tar Heels escape Durham with a 38-35 win over the Duke Blue Devils the latest
installment of this Tobacco Road “Victory Bell” rivalry.

North Carolina opened the scoring with a 45-yard Noah
Burnette field goal to take the early 3-0 edge. Duke quickly responded with an
eight-play, 75-yard touchdown drive capped by a two-yard rushing score by
Waters. The Tar Heels jumped back in front 10-7 following a 10-yard touchdown
reception by Kamari Morales from Drake Maye with under five minutes to play in
the opening frame.

The Blue Devils answered with fourteen consecutive points in the
second quarter following rushing scores by Leonard and Jaquez Moore. Leonard
broke free for a 74-yard scamper, while Moore found paydirt from two yards out
to make it a 21-10 ballgame. The visitors sparked a rally of their own, scoring
21-straight points with a Caleb Hood reception and two Elijah Green rushing
scores to pull back in front at 31-21 with 3:54 remaining in the third quarter.

Duke again had an answer as Sahmir Hagans and Jordan Waters
posted back-to-back touchdowns to take the 35-31 advantage with 10:12 left to
play. Holding onto the slim four-point lead late in the game, the Blue Devils
were at the North Carolina 11-yard line but couldn't find the end zone after
consecutive penalties shifted them back, forcing them to settle for a 43-yard
field goal attempts, which sailed wide right giving the Tar Heels hope.

North Carolina then drove 74 yards in nine plays to register
the game-winning score with 16 seconds remaining.

Notable North Carolinians

Drake Maye (Myers Park) – The freshman quarterback finished
with 380 passing yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions.

Jordan Waters (Fairmont) – the redshirt junior running back
scored two touchdowns and ran for 91 yards.

Caleb Hood (Richmond) – the sophomore running back ran for
48 yards, caught five passes, and score one touchdown.

Up Next

North Carolina is off next Saturday and will host Pittsburgh
on October 29 while Duke travels to take on Miami.

BOONE – It was a matchup that had been circled on calendars for both teams. For North Carolina, many of the Tar Heels remembered App State’s blocked field goal to upset the Heels, 34-31, on the road during the 2019 season. For App State, a chance to host the state’s flagship university for the first time ever showed that App State had finally “arrived” in the state’s college football landscape. The game started strong for the hometown Mountaineers, who were energized by a raucous and record crowd of 40,168 in attendance, but it was the visiting Tar Heels who laid claim to victory on Saturday afternoon after a wild sixty-two-point final quarter eventually ended with a 63-61 victory over App State.

App State rode the momentum wave into their first drive of the game. After Eli Wilson rolled over a Tar Heel defender and rumbled out to midfield on a catch and run, sophomore running back Nate Noel burst through the line and scampered fifty-two yards for the opening score of the game.

Carolina responded quickly, with JJ Jones’s thirty-one-yard reception getting the Tar Heels into Mountaineer territory. Drake Maye’s keeper on fourth down extended the drive and the redshirt freshman signal caller hit Jones on the next play for the tying score.

The Mountaineers were not intimidated, though, and came right back with a scoring drive on their second possession. Redshirt freshman Dalton Stroman’s second career catch was a great grab, putting App State in Tar Heel territory, giving Chase Brice the space he needed to find tight end Henry Pearson streaking down the home sideline for the score and a 14-7 lead. App State continued its early domination into the second quarter and even extended the lead to 21-7 on a Christian Wells catch, but the rest of the second quarter belonged to the visiting Tar Heels.

Carolina’s freshman quarterback, who beat out more experienced competition in fall camp, showed off why Tar Heels coach Mack Brown named him the starter with his performance in the middle quarters. Drake Maye beat the App State defense with his arm and legs to turn the tide in favor of the Heels. Maye threw for two scores, a fourteen-yard strike to Kobe Paysour and a ten-yard pass to Bryson Nesbit, while also running for a score to open the second half. In the span of fifteen minutes of game action, the Tar Heels had turned a 21-7 deficit into a 35-21 lead early in the third quarter.

Gene Chizik’s Tar Heel defense, who gave up big plays to open the first half, clamped down and held App State at bay through the middle two quarters. Cedric Gray was all over the field for the visitors, registering tackle after tackle. Gray’s interception late in the third quarter led to three more points for the Heels as Noah Burnette was good on his second field goal of the day to finish the scoring heading into the final stanza.

The fourth quarter was an entire game within itself. Both teams traded blow after blow, combining for sixty-two points and eight touchdowns. Chase Brice threw four of his six touchdowns for the day in the final ten and a half minutes of the game. With fans at The Rock roaring, App State, who had trailed by twenty points, came back to tie the score at 49-all on Camerun Peoples' 38-yard touchdown run and Michael Hughes' extra point with exactly four minutes remaining.

Carolina moved back ahead, converting a third-and-9 pass from Drake Maye to an open DJ Jones for a forty-two-yard touchdown with just under three minutes remaining before the Mountaineers moved quickly into UNC territory in the final minute. Chase Brice hit Dashaun Davis for a twenty-eight-yard touchdown with thirty-one seconds left, and the Mountaineers went for a go-ahead two-point conversion, but the pass to Davis sailed just out of his reach.

“I had made my mind up early that we were going for two and the win,” App State head coach Shawn Clark said after the game. “We're not going for second place at Appalachian State.”

UNC's Bryson Nesbit returned the onside kick for a touchdown, but that at least gave App State one more chance, because the extra point kept the margin as a one-score game at 63-55. Milan Tucker's long kickoff return to near midfield and Brice's twenty-two-yard completion to Kaedin Robinson set up another Brice-to-Robinson connection, this one a twenty-six-yard touchdown with nine seconds remaining.

The Tar Heels took away Brice's throwing options and stopped him short of the goal line on the two-point conversion to secure the win.

After the game UNC head coach Mack Brown praised what he called “two great offenses, two tremendous quarterbacks…a tremendous performance” after the wild fourth quarter while acknowledging “as many things we need to fix on defense, they had two, two-point conversion stops, to win the game.”

Notable North Carolinians

Drake Maye (Hough) – The freshman quarterback threw for 352 yards on 24 of 36 passing and four touchdowns while running for 76 yards and a score.

Kobe Paysour (Kings Mountain) – The freshman wide receiver was a threat the entire afternoon, tallying 8 catches and a touchdown.

Cedric Gray (Ardrey Kell) – the junior linebacker had a big interception late in the third quarter along with a team-high 13 tackles.

Kaedin Robinson (Christ School) – The redshirt sophomore had two big catches on the final, potential, game-tying drive in the last thirty seconds of the game.

Next Week

North Carolina (2-0) is on the road at a Sun Belt foe for the second straight week, taking on Georgia State, while App State (0-1) goes on the road to face preseason #6 Texas A&M from the SEC.

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. 

GREENSBORO – Clemson is an overwhelming preseason favorite to claim its seventh consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference football title, according to a preseason poll of 147 media voters. 

The Tigers, who posted a 10-2 record last season while earning a postseason playoff berth for the sixth consecutive year, were also chosen as likely Atlantic Division winners. North Carolina was picked to finish atop the Coastal Division following an eight-win 2020 season that culminated with the program’s first-ever berth in the Orange Bowl. 

Clemson was named the likely 2021 ACC champion on 125 ballots. North Carolina picked up 16 votes, followed by Miami with three and Georgia Tech, NC State, and Virginia with one each.

In the Atlantic Division preseason voting, Clemson led the way with 146 first-place votes and 1,028 total points. NC State, which was tabbed as the likely second-place finisher, picked up the remaining first-place vote while accumulating 804 points.

Boston College (638 points) was picked for a third-place Atlantic Division finish, followed by Florida State (510), Wake Forest (472), Louisville (462), and Syracuse (202).

In the Coastal Division forecast, North Carolina received 109 first-place votes and amassed 979 total points. Miami (28 first-place votes) was next with 881 points, followed by Virginia Tech (three-first place votes, 582 points) and Pitt (one first-place vote, 576 points).

Virginia (two first-place votes, 540 points), Georgia Tech (four first-place votes, 340 points), and Duke (218 points) closed out the voting.

Clemson was selected as the likely ACC champion in the media preseason poll for the fourth consecutive season and the seventh time in the last nine years. 

North Carolina was projected as the preseason Coastal Division champion for the second time and the first time since 2016. The Tar Heels’ lone Coastal Division championship came in 2015. Each of the Coastal’s seven teams won the division from 2013 through 2019. Due to the 2020 pandemic, the ACC played with a non-divisional format last season.

The Atlantic and Coastal Division winners will meet in the 2021 ACC Football Championship Game on Saturday, December 4, at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium.

ACC Preseason Poll

(147 total votes - First-place votes in parenthesis)

Overall Champion

1. Clemson - 125
2. North Carolina - 16
3. Miami - 3
4. Virginia - 1
5. Georgia Tech - 1
6. NC State - 1

Atlantic Division

1. Clemson – 1,028 (146)
2. NC State - 804 (1)
3. Boston College - 638
4. Florida State - 510
5. Wake Forest - 472
6. Louisville - 462
7. Syracuse - 202

Coastal Division

1. North Carolina - 979 (109)
2. Miami - 881 (28)
3. Virginia Tech - 582 (3)
4. Pitt - 576 (1)
5. Virginia - 540 (2)
6. Georgia Tech - 340 (4)
7. Duke - 218 

Charlotte announced today the football game scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19, against North Carolina has been canceled. The decision was made due to the impact that contact tracing quarantine has had on a key position group. Several members of the offensive line were placed into quarantine following the University’s COVID-19 contact tracing protocols, effectively depleting that unit.

Over the past two weeks, there have been three positive cases of coronavirus in football student-athletes found through regular testing required by Conference USA. The individuals are in isolation receiving proper medical care, and all other affected individuals were notified to quarantine for 14 days by University contact tracers.

"We're extremely disappointed to have to cancel our game at North Carolina. While I know our team is heartbroken, due to the number of players in quarantine, we could not safely play,” said Athletic Director Mike Hill. “We very much appreciate the University of North Carolina having scheduled this game with us. Unfortunately, we do not currently share any common open dates to reschedule."

As of Monday, Sept. 14, a total of 3,150 tests have been administered for our student-athletes, coaches and staff since June 10.  A total of 20 positive cases have been reported. On Monday, 200 tests were administered with one positive.

This announcement does not impact the status of the home opener versus Georgia State scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26.