Category: Football

UNC takeover day on ACCN showcases men’s hoops win at Duke, 9 other victories in 8 other sports

When it’s UNC’s turn during ACC Network School Takeovers on Tuesday, you’ll see 10 memorable victories in nine sports from the last school year that aired on an ESPN channel. You won’t see the Tar Heels’ Final Four victory over Duke because that aired on TBS, but you’ll get a chance to relive their 94–81 victory in Durham to ruin Coach Mike Krzyzewski’s last home game (6 p.m.), a softball no-hitter, an amazing football comeback and three ACC Tournament championship wins.

ACC scraps football divisions starting in 2023; UNC to face three primary schools each season

Next season will be the last with Coastal chaos and the two-division football format in the ACC. The conference announced Tuesday a new scheduling model from 2023 until 2026 that eliminates divisions. It designates three primary opponents that teams will play each year — for Carolina those are Duke, N.C. State and Virginia. The Tar Heels would be guaranteed to face all 10 other opponents twice over the four-year cycle.

Criswell-Maye battle could lead to two-QB system early in UNC’s season

CHAPEL HILL — Who will start at quarterback to lead Carolina and try to fill the void left by Sam Howell’s departure? While there is a good bit of optimism with the influx of talent and new coaches that the Tar Heels can rebound from a 6–7 season, the answer to that key question isn’t clear. This is at least the third time veteran UNC coach Mack Brown has gone into the summer in this situation.

Fedora’s Breakers, Bug Howard’s Stars earn USFL playoff berths

Coach Larry Fedora’s New Orleans Breakers and tight end Bug Howard’s Philadelphia Stars earned berths in the four-team United States Football League playoffs but both teams lost last weekend to finish their regular seasons 6–4. Former UNC wide receiver Anthony Ratliff-Williams had two catches for 19 yards Sunday for Houston as the Gamblers knocked off New Orleans 20–3. Philadelphia dropped a 26–23 game Saturday to the New Jersey Generals despite Howard (top photo) collecting five catches off of six targets for 101 yards.

Commanders pick Howell in fifth round; 4 Tar Heels drafted

Sam Howell’s interminable wait finally ended at the start of the fifth round on Saturday afternoon when the Washington Commanders made the Carolina quarterback the 144th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and the sixth quarterback selected. The former Redskins may have just got one of the steals of the draft in getting the No. 34 player on the Pro Football Focus big board. A year ago, Howell was considered to be a sure first-round pick. Since 2019, Howell has PFP’s top grade in fourth quarters at 92.4. “God is so faithful,” Howell wrote on Twitter. “So excited for this next chapter. Let’s go to work!”

Which former Tar Heels are in the USFL and how has league altered rules?

Three former Carolina players and a former UNC head coach are part of the new iteration of the United States Football League, which starts play this weekend with several rule changes. Larry Fedora is the head coach for the New Orleans Breakers, and he’ll coach a player who played for him in Chapel Hill: running back T.J. Logan Jr. The Breakers’ first game is at 4 p.m. Sunday (USA Network) against the Philadelphia Stars and tight end Bug Howard. Anthony Ratliff-Williams is a wide receiver for the Houston Gamblers, whose opener is at noon Sunday against the Michigan Panthers (NBC, Peacock).

Downs catching intense competition to replace Howell at QB

CHAPEL HILL — There are a lot of questions coming out of spring practice for Carolina but who will be the big-play receiver isn’t one of them. Drake Maye figures to be the favorite to start at quarterback for the Tar Heels in August, but whoever gets the call has the real luxury of throwing to junior wide receiver Josh Downs. Downs showed that big-play prowess again with first-half touchdown receptions of 12 yards from Jacolby Criswell and 38 yards from Maye.

All you need to know about Saturday’s UNC spring football event

Fans will get the chance to watch Drake Maye, the likely successor to Sam Howell at quarterback, as well as talented freshman running back George Pettaway at Saturday’s spring football event at Kenan Stadium. Known this year as the #TyleeStrong Spring Football Game, it’s free to fans. The name is to show support for wide receiver Tylee Craft, who recently was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.