UNC loses starting quarterback Gio Lopez to injury during loss at UCF
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- UNC quarterback Gio Lopez exited with leg injury during third quarter at UCF
- Lopez completed 11 of 14 passes with 87 yards and two interceptions before exit
- Backup Max Johnson threw 8-yard touchdown pass after replacing injured Lopez
North Carolina Tar Heels starting quarterback Gio Lopez suffered what appeared to be a significant leg injury during Saturday’s 34-9 loss at UCF and did not return to the game.
After the game, UNC coach Bill Belichick said more examinations are needed to determine the extent of Lopez’s injury.
“I mean, we’ll wait and see how it looks tomorrow,” Belichick said. “It’s hard to evaluate injuries five minutes after the game. We’ll see how things look tomorrow.”
A transfer from South Alabama, Lopez was injured with 6:45 remaining in the third quarter on a fourth-down run. He successfully gained the first down but was injured in the scrum of players after being tackled. After play was stopped, Lopez received medical attention on the field before being helped to the sideline to enter the medical treatment tent.
About 15 minutes later, a cart arrived on the sideline to carry Lopez away. He didn’t put any weight on his right leg, hopping on his left foot to reach the cart. He put his head in his hands as soon as he got on the cart and rode away with a towel covering his head.
Lopez completed 11 of 14 passes for 87 yards with two interceptions in Saturday’s game. UCF led 27-3 when Lopez was injured.
Max Johnson replaced Lopez and led the Tar Heels to a touchdown to complete that drive, tossing an 8-yard pass to Kobe Paysour for the score. Johnson finished the game under center for UNC.
This story was originally published September 20, 2025 at 6:45 PM.
