No. 20 North Carolina takes care of business in 31-13 win over Big 10 foe Minnesota
No. 20 North Carolina welcomed the Minnesota Golden Gophers to Kenan Stadium on Saturday for the first-ever college football game between the two schools.
The ACC’s Tar Heels game the Big 10’s Golden Gophers a rude welcome.
Here are three takeaways from UNC’s 31-13 win over Minnesota:
Another offensive weapon
The word on wide receiver Nate McCollum all through fall camp was that he was being brought along slowly because of a lower-body injury but should be healthy and ready when the season began.
The transfer from Georgia Tech could be a real weapon, everyone agreed. Just let him get fully healthy and watch him go.
It took a little longer than expected, but McCollum is healthy. He can be a weapon. Against Minnesota, Drake Maye made the Atlanta native a constant target and McCollum constantly produced: 15 catches for 165 yards, both career highs for 5-9, 185-pound wideout.
The Tar Heels’ first TD came when McCollum pulled in a 46-yard throw from Maye in the end zone, getting behind defensive back Aidan Gousby and outfighting him for the ball in the end zone.
Drake Maye did what?
Drake Maye can pass. Drake Maye can run. Drake Maye can also … punt?
Maye had a 414-yard passing day Saturday, the second of his career. He had two TD throws and had two passes picked off, the second by defensive lineman Chris Collins, a transfer from UNC.
In the first quarter, Maye was also called on to punt. He pooched one inside the Minnesota 20, the ball rolling out of bounds at the 13.
“That wasn’t bad,” Maye said, smiling. “It came off a little weird. I tried my best, thought it was all right.”
Heisman voters probably won’t notice or be impressed, but UNC’s Mack Brown liked it.
Rushing yards hard to find
The Tar Heels’ running game, so productive against South Carolina and Appalachian State, can be slowed down. Minnesota did it for the most part Saturday.
UNC’s Omarion Hampton shredded the App State defense for 234 yards and three TDs a week ago and picked up some national honors and attention. There was little there Saturday as the Gophers’ active defensive front took away that element of the Tar Heels’ offensive game.
Hampton, who had 17 yards on eight carries in the first half, did have a 17-yard run in the fourth quarter — on a swing pass behind the line from Maye that Hampton took up the sideline.
With Maye and the receivers carrying the offensive load against a stacked Minnesota D, the Tar Heels did not need a big day from Hampton and British Brooks, who returned to the lineup and scored in the fourth quarter.
UNC, which had 29 rushing yards through three quarters, finished with 105.
This story was originally published September 16, 2023 at 3:14 PM.
