Chapel Hill, NC
Sep 7, 2024
Upload a photo of you at this game and we'll create a commemorative ticket of it.
The North Carolina Tar Heels overcame the Charlotte 49ers with a dominant 38-20 victory at Kenan Stadium in their home opener. North Carolina's sophomore quarterback Conner Harrell, in his second career start and first at home, was pivotal as he threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, amassing 258 yards of total offense. His 30-yard touchdown to Bryson Nesbit initiated a 94-yard drive that put the Tar Heels on the board first. Nate McCollum followed with a 37-yard rushing touchdown, contributing to a first half where UNC gained 160 rushing yards compared to Charlotte’s 12.
Charlotte’s quarterback, Max Brown, began the game with promise, completing 8 of 12 passes for 175 yards before an injury sidelined him, making way for Deshawn Purdie. Purdie made the most of his opportunity, throwing two touchdown passes and rallying the team in the second half, though it wasn't enough to bridge the gap. North Carolina’s defense and special teams ensured victory, with standout plays including a 58-yard touchdown reception by Christian Hamilton on a reverse play and Noah Burnette’s 44-yard field goal. Despite Charlotte narrowing the score in the third quarter, UNC's consistent performance and a final, sealing touchdown by Davion Gause secured the Tar Heels' seventh consecutive home opener win.
Conner Harrell (North Carolina Tar Heels)
Conner Harrell connected on a 30-yard touchdown pass to Bryson Nesbit, completing a 94-yard drive that established an early 7-0 lead for North Carolina. This play marked Harrell's first touchdown at home in his new starting role, showcasing his poise after stepping up due to an injury to Max Johnson.
Kyle Cunanan (Charlotte 49ers)
Charlotte managed to close the gap to 7-3 with a 25-yard field goal by Kyle Cunanan, capitalizing on the momentum from a 67-yard drive.
Nate McCollum (North Carolina Tar Heels)
Nate McCollum extended the Tar Heels' lead with a 37-yard rushing touchdown on an end-around play, demonstrating the versatility and speed that kept North Carolina's momentum strong early in the game.
Kyle Cunanan (Charlotte 49ers)
Kyle Cunanan added another field goal for Charlotte, this time a 20-yarder, narrowing the score to 14-6 to keep the 49ers within striking distance.
Conner Harrell (North Carolina Tar Heels)
Harrell showcased his dual-threat capability by rushing for a 4-yard touchdown, finishing a 13-play, 75-yard drive and extending the Tar Heels' lead to 21-6.
Deshawn Purdie (Charlotte 49ers)
Backup quarterback Deshawn Purdie threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Bryce Kennon at the opening of the second half, trimming the deficit to 21-13 and showcasing his readiness under pressure.
Conner Harrell (North Carolina Tar Heels)
Harrell threw a 58-yard touchdown pass to Christian Hamilton off a perfectly executed reverse play, rebuilding North Carolina's lead to 28-13. This play illustrated the Tar Heels’ creative play-calling and Harrell’s ability to execute under pressure.
Noah Burnette (North Carolina Tar Heels)
Noah Burnette converted a 44-yard field goal, further extending the Tar Heels' lead to 31-13.
Davion Gause (North Carolina Tar Heels)
Davion Gause sealed the game for the Tar Heels with a 1-yard touchdown run, capping a dominant 11-play, 85-yard drive and bringing the score to 38-13.
Deshawn Purdie (Charlotte 49ers)
Deshawn Purdie completed a 28-yard touchdown pass to Henry Rutledge, reducing North Carolina's lead to 38-20 and adding a late highlight for Charlotte.
Conner Harrell (North Carolina Tar Heels, QB)
Harrell showcased his dual-threat capability, throwing for 219 yards and 2 touchdowns while also rushing for a score. Despite stepping in for the injured Max Johnson, Harrell demonstrated poise and efficiency, leading the offense with a precise 64% completion rate.
Davion Gause (North Carolina Tar Heels, RB)
Gause powered through the 49ers' defense for 105 yards on 16 carries and a touchdown, averaging an impressive 6.6 yards per carry. His relentless running helped solidify the Tar Heels' control over the game.
Deshawn Purdie (Charlotte 49ers, QB)
In the role of a backup, Purdie passed for 134 yards and 2 touchdowns, stepping in commendably after Max Brown's first-half injury. His resilience and quick adaptation kept Charlotte's hopes alive in the second half.
Omarion Hampton (North Carolina Tar Heels, RB)
Hampton contributed 77 rushing yards on 11 attempts in the first half before being rested for precautionary reasons. His strong start was instrumental in establishing the Tar Heels' early lead.
Jairus Mack (Charlotte 49ers, WR)
Mack was a key target for the 49ers, amassing 118 receiving yards, including long completions that kept Charlotte's offense dynamic, despite their overall struggles.
Christian Hamilton (North Carolina Tar Heels, WR)
Hamilton's 58-yard touchdown reception off a reverse play was a turning point, extending UNC's lead to 28-13. His ability to execute on trick plays highlighted his versatility and impact on the game.
University of North Carolina Athletics
Charlotte 49ers vs. North Carolina Tar Heels - Final Score - September 07, 2024 | FOX Sports
UNC football vs Charlotte: Final score, highlights in college football
University of North Carolina Athletics
What We Saw: North Carolina - Charlotte Athletics
UNC vs. Charlotte—Winners, Losers, & Honorable Mentions - Tar Heel Blog
Charlotte 49ers
3
3
7
7
20
North Carolina Tar Heels
14
7
10
7
38
