Minnesota kicker Dragan Kesich missed a 47-yard field goal as time expired – his second miss of the night – and UNC escaped Minneapolis with a 19-17 win against the Golden Gophers in the 2024 season opener.

 

“That was a traditional, old-timey Big Ten football game,” said head coach Mack Brown. “You had to run the ball. You had to fight for everything you got. Your kicking game had to be great, and you had to play great defense.”

Though the Tar Heels’ performance on the night could best be described as uneven, they did check all of Brown’s boxes. All-ACC running back Omarion Hampton paced Carolina on the ground, racking up 129 yards on 30 carries and adding another 17 yards through the air.

UNC kicker Noah Burnette made all four of his field goal attempts, including the go-ahead kick with 1:44 remaining. He was responsible for all 12 of Carolina’s second-half points.

And finally, the Tar Heel defense put together an impressive debut performance for new coordinator Geoff Collins. Carolina forced five three-and-outs against the Golden Gopher offense, recovered a key fumble in the second half, sacked Minnesota quarterback Max Brosmer five times and allowed just 244 total yards on the night.

“I feel like we did a great job communicating with one another,” said linebacker Power Echols, who finished second on the team with seven total tackles. “Just playing the defense we’ve been practicing since spring.”

The night took a sobering turn late in the third quarter, as Carolina quarterback Max Johnson went down with a lower-body injury and had to be carted off the field. Johnson – who had started the game – did not return, and Conner Harrell played in relief.

“Some kids would’ve pouted that they didn’t start,” Brown said. “Some kids would’ve had a chip on their shoulder the whole game. I was looking for him fast [when Johnson got injured], and he was warming up by himself. And then he came out and said, ‘We’re good, coach.'”

Harrell led the Tar Heels’ final four drives, three of which resulted in field goals. The last drive, which started after the Gophers kicked a go-ahead field goal of their own to lead 17-16, saw Harrell find receiver J.J. Jones for a key 32-yard gain to set up Burnette’s final kick. It was one of just two completions on the night for the redshirt sophomore quarterback.

“There’s gonna be adversity, ebbs and flows,” Harrell said. “But we came out on top. I’m so proud of our team. Proud of everybody.”

The result rested on the right foot of Kesich, who set up from 47 yards away with four seconds remaining to try and steal the game away from the Tar Heels. The Gophers had driven 46 yards in the previous 1:40, nearly equaling their entire second-half offensive yardage output to that point in the process. But Kesich, who had missed a 27-yard field goal earlier in the game, once again missed his mark. On the Carolina sideline, the celebration was on.

Afterward, Carolina dedicated one game ball to chancellor Lee Roberts (who made the trip to Minneapolis and is currently undefeated as the school’s chancellor) and one to Johnson, who was driven to the hospital following his injury.

“I just wanted to get that win for Max,” said defensive lineman Jahvaree Ritzie, who accounted for three of Carolina’s sacks. “I saw him go down, and it hurt my heart… we went out and got that win for Max.”

UNC is now 1-0 for the fifth time in the last six seasons under head coach Mack Brown. The Tar Heels will be back in action next Saturday at home against Charlotte at 3:30 p.m.

 

Featured image via Associated Press/Abbie Parr

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