Sep. 12, 2024 06:18 AM EST

North Carolina Looks For A 3-0 Start When Its Hosts N.C. Central

By The Associated Press
North Carolina quarterback Conner Harrell (15) runs with the football during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Minnesota, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Abbie Parr, ASSOCIATED PRESS
North Carolina quarterback Conner Harrell (15) runs with the football during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Minnesota, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

N.C. Central (1-1) at North Carolina (2-0), Saturday, 6 p.m. ET (ACC Network Extra)

BetMGM College Football Odds: No line.

Series record: First meeting.

What’s at stake?

North Carolina is 2-0 for the fifth time in the six years of Mack Brown's second tenure with the program. The Tar Heels survived a close road win at Minnesota and returned home to beat Charlotte in the first of two straight instate matchups. The Eagles are coming off a home loss to Elon.

Key matchup

NC Central's run defense vs. Tar Heels RB Omarion Hampton. Hampton was a second-team Associated Press All-American last year after running for 1,504 yards and 15 touchdowns, and opened this year as a preseason AP All-American. He's the workhorse at the heart of UNC's attack after running for 206 yards through the first two games. The Eagles are tied for 84th in the Championship Subdivision in allowing an average of 197 yards rushing.

Players to watch

N.C. Central: RB J'Mari Taylor. He ran for 128 yards and two touchdowns while also hauling in a TD catch in the opener against Alabama State, then ran for 54 yards and a touchdown last week against Elon.

UNC: QB Conner Harrell. He got his first career home start last week against Charlotte after Max Johnson was lost to a season-ending leg injury. Harrell threw for 219 yards and two touchdowns while running for 39 yards and a score against the 49ers.

Facts & figures

The Tar Heels had been 2-0 only five times in the 20 seasons before Brown's return in 2019. ... UNC ranks 16th in the Bowl Subdivision ranks by holding opponents to 64 yards rushing per game in its first year under coordinator Geoff Collins. ... This is the second of three straight home games for UNC before visiting Duke in its Atlantic Coast Conference opener (Sept. 28). ... The schools are separated by about 15 miles. ... The Eagles are the preseason favorite to win the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, while the Tar Heels are picked to finish eighth in the expanded 17-team ACC. ... This is the Eagles' first game against an ACC team since visiting Duke, which shares N.C. Central's Durham hometown, in a 55-13 loss in September 2018.

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