There were ups and downs during Week 1 of the NFL season for former Carolina players, most of whom endured losses, from Drake Maye’s three interceptions on Wednesday to Javonte Williams’ standout performance on Sunday night football.
Barbacci leads UNC field hockey rally to win at Richmond
No. 5 North Carolina fell behind in the first few minutes but responded with sustained pressure and rode a goal and an assist from senior forward Ella Barbacci to a 2–1 road win over Richmond at Crenshaw Field on Sunday. Richmond’s Maia Dechario converted the game’s opening penalty corner in the ninth minute, but UNC’s rally moved the Tar Heels to 9–2 under Coach Erin Matson when the opponent scores the first goal.
No. 7 UNC, No. 3 Duke roll to women’s soccer wins ahead of meeting, Heels’ over NJIT, Devils’ over No. 1 Stanford
No. 7 UNC and No. 3 Duke earned very different 5–0 home women’s soccer victories ahead of their big clash in Chapel Hill on Thursday night. While Carolina got its win over 3–4–1 NJIT, No. 271 in the Massey Ratings, at Dorrance Field on Sunday, the victory for the Blue Devils (7–0–1) a few miles away in Durham was over No. 1 Stanford for their fifth consecutive victory.
Clemson to start true freshman QB against UNC
Clemson’s quarterback situation, already unsettled for most of training camp, took another unexpected turn this weekend, and it will give a true freshman his first career start against North Carolina in the ACC opener for both teams Saturday.
Edwards targets eight, builds comfort in offense, but connection with Thurman thriving
CHAPEL HILL — There were some off-target throws and some drops, but the chemistry between quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. and his receivers was obvious, particularly as Carolina’s blowout of ETSU progressed. Edwards was 15 of 20 for 244 yards and two touchdowns and a 210.5 passer rating, targeting eight receivers during the Tar Heels’ 35–3 victory on a steamy afternoon in Kenan Stadium.
Snap count, rating report: Thurman, Harvey stand out for UNC in rout with many reserves playing
CHAPEL HILL — UNC’s 35–3 win over East Tennessee State on Saturday gave Coach Bill Belichick the chance to play deep into his roster, and the snap counts and Pro Football Focus ratings from the game show just how far that rotation extended on both sides of the ball. On offense, no player finished with a higher grade than tight end Jelani Thurman, who posted a 94.2 rating over 34 snaps, the best mark on the team by a wide margin.
Good, Bad and Ugly Report: ETSU
As expected, which is refreshing. Refreshing, because last season, Carolina followed up the debacle against TCU with a stinker against Charlotte that foretold many of the struggles the Tar Heels would show the rest of the season. This time, UNC throttled an overmatched opponent as one would expect in this type of situation.
Tar Heels storm by ETSU with many positives headed into game at Clemson
CHAPEL HILL — As North Carolina began its 100th season at Kenan Stadium, there was plenty to be happy about for the Tar Heels. UNC took control early and rolled to a 35–3 victory over East Tennessee State, with the defense extending its streak of holding opponents scoreless to six quarters on a muggy, sometimes stormy Saturday afternoon.
Heels lead twice, battle No. 1 Stanford men’s soccer team to draw
CHAPEL HILL — Stanford came to Dorrance Field with a win in every match and top-ranked in the country, but North Carolina matched the Cardinal blow for blow in a 2–2 draw on a steamy Friday night that could have gone either way in the final 20 minutes.
Overtime heartbreak for UNC field hockey after blowing 3-goal lead to ODU
CHAPEL HILL — If you want drama and tension, Karen Shelton Stadium delivered that and then some this week, testing a young Carolina field hockey team. Sunday’s exhilaration turned to heartbreak on Friday.
No. 7 Heels cruise by Cal after two-week road trip over nine time zones
CHAPEL HILL — After a far-flung two-week road trip over nine time zones and thousands of miles, No. 7 North Carolina was happy to play at Dorrance Field for the first time in 18 days. They went to Dublin, then to Arizona, with stops in Tucson and Tempe, so the Tar Heels wouldn’t have been blamed if they were exhausted after winning all three matches. But after four days in Chapel Hill to recharge, UNC eased to a 3–0 victory Thursday night over California in the ACC opener for both teams.
Five-star Harpring brings toughness, versatility, and her dad’s grit to UNC
CHAPEL HILL — Kate Harpring arrived at Carolina with the sort of lofty expectations that come with being at the top of your freshman class nationally. The talented 5–10 guard will be a star on a veteran team that comes off back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances, and Coach Courtney Banghart quickly declared her probably the fastest player on the team.
Malone’s first taste of an ACC game that counts will be against Cal in late December
Coach Michael Malone finally got the full schedule for his first season as North Carolina coach, and his first ACC game that counts in the standings will be in late December. UNC opens ACC play Dec. 30 in Chapel Hill against Cal, the first of 18 regular-season ACC games that will carry the Tar Heels through the first weekend of March.
UNC moves up in women’s soccer Top 25 ahead of ACC opener vs. Cal
North Carolina matched its season-high ranking in the Top 25 women’s soccer poll, moving up two spots to No. 7 after a pair of victories last week in Arizona. The Tar Heels (5-1) defeated Arizona 2-1 on Thursday and Arizona State 1-0 on Sunday. They are one of seven ACC teams in the United Soccer Coaches poll and one of five ranked in the top 10.
UNC launches official liquor line ahead of football home opener
Tar Heels fans have long known how to celebrate a win, a rivalry, and pretty much anything involving the color Carolina blue. Now, for the first time, they can toast to it with something that shows their school spirit via official spirits. UNC Athletics has teamed up with North Carolina-based Cape Fear Distillery to launch the Spirit of Carolina Collection, the university’s first officially licensed line of Tar Heels-branded spirits.