North Carolina
Syracuse
Carolina Hosts Syracuse In ACC Home Opener
October 6, 2023 | Football
Who:
No. 14 North Carolina (4-0, 1-0 ACC) vs. Syracuse (4-1, 0-1 ACC)
Where:
Kenan Stadium – Chapel Hill, N.C.
Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023 – 3:30 p.m. – ESPN
Â
The Lead: The Tar Heels are 4-0 for the first time since 1997, their second 4-0 start since 1983. After a week off, North Carolina is set for three-straight conference home games beginning with the Syracuse Orange. North Carolina hasn't faced the Orange since the Tar Heels defeated Syracuse 31-6 in Chapel Hill back in 2020.
Storylines:
-
North Carolina is now 54-22 as a ranked team in 15 seasons under head coach Mack Brown.
-
Omarion Hampton has scored a rushing touchdown in four-straight games. Hampton is the first UNC running back to score a rushing touchdown in each of his first four games since Javonte Williams in 2020.
-
Through four games, UNC is averaging 296.8 passing yards per game. 296.8 is good for 20th in the FBS.
-
Against the Panthers, J.J. Jones tallied a career-high six receptions for 117 yards, it's the second-straight week that a UNC receiver has recorded new career-highs.
-
Drake Maye is the only Tar Heel QB to start a season completing 20 or more passes in four straight games.
From The Notes:
-
 Maye has tallied 1,187 passing yards through four games this season.
-
 In 19 trips to the red zone this season, UNC has recorded 17 scores (14 touchdowns and three field goals, an 89% score percentage).
-
 Through four games, Maye's QBR on third down is 97.6.
-
 Alijah Huzzie is ranked 8th in the FBS with eight passes defended.
-
 On six sudden change situations (4 INTs, a blocked punt and an onside kick), the Carolina defense has only allowed two FGs.
-
 It has been 26 years since North Carolina has been 5-0 (1997). In 1997, Tar Heels went 8-0 before dropping a game.
Switching Sides:
-
Syracuse's defense ranks ninth in the nation and leads the ACC in tackles for loss, averaging 8.2 per game.Â
-
Syracuse quarterback Garrett Shrader ranks second among active players with 35 rushing touchdowns. That is the most for any active FBS quarterback.
-
Since the start of the 2022 season, Syracuse has outscored its opponents, 303-184, in the first half.Â
- Syracuse has finished in the top 20 in total defense in each of the past two seasons.
Â
Â
Players Mentioned
