Lopez not on UNC injury report, likely to play

By R.L. Bynum

Carolina quarterback Gio Lopez, who missed the Clemson game, should be available to the Tar Heels for Friday’s game at California and could start, while the Bears will be without a reserve running back.

Lopez isn’t listed on the initial availability report the ACC released late Wednesday night, so presumably he has been practicing and should be available to play.

Lopez is listed as the starter in the unofficial depth chart (shown below) that UNC released, backed up by Max Johnson, who started against the Tigers.

In four games, including the UCF loss when he suffered a leg injury, Lopez was 42 of 67 for 430 yards, with three touchdowns, three interceptions and a 122.4 passer rating. In three games, including one start, Johnson is 46 of 72 for 378 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions.

Cal running back Brandon High Jr., who is third on the team in rushing with 98 yards on 23 carries, is listed as out.

Listed as probable for UNC are offensive lineman Aidan Banfield and defensive backs Ty Adams and Khalil Conley.

As expected, defensive back Thad Dixon is among the 12 Carolina players listed as out for the game, along with defensive backs, Ty White and Payton Waters, linebackers Chinedu Onyeagoro, Tyler Houser and Jake Bauer, as well as offensive linemen Peter Pesanksy, Laderion Williams and Kamarion Thomas, tight ends Cort Halsey and Deems May and kicker Guylano Bartolomeo.

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Month/ date	Score/ time	Opponent	Record/ TV
September
1	L, 48–14	vs. TCU	0–1
6	W, 20–3	at Charlotte	1–1
13	W, 41–6	vs. Richmond	2–1
20	L, 34–9	at UCF	2–2
October
4	L, 38–10	vs. Clemson	2–3, 0–1 ACC
17 (Fri.)	L, 21–18	at California	2–4, 0–2
25	L, 17–16, OT	vs. No. 16 Virginia	2–5, 0–3
31 (Fri.)	W, 27–10	at Syracuse	3–5, 1–3
November
8	W, 20–15	vs. Stanford	4–5, 2–3
15	L, 28–12	at Wake Forest	4–6, 2–4
22	L, 32–25	vs. Duke	4–7, 2–5
29	L, 42–19	at N.C. State	4–8, 2–6