Football Travels To Charlotte Saturday Night

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - For the first time this season, the North Carolina football team hits the road Saturday night, traveling in-state to Charlotte. Opening kickoff between the Tar Heels and 49ers from Jerry Richardson Stadium is set for 7 PM, airing on ESPN+.

Game Information
Date/Time: Saturday, Sept. 6 - 7 PM
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats
Radio: Tar Heel Sports Radio Network (97.9 FM in Chapel Hill)

First and Ten
• In 2025, Carolina begins its 135th season of football (138th year).
• Entering the matchup with Charlotte, the Tar Heels hold an all-time record of 751-577-54.
• Saturday evening's game between the Tar Heels and 49ers will be live on ESPN+, with Chuckie Kempf (PxP), Tom Luginbill (Analyst) and Marilyn Payne (Sideline) on the call.
• On December 11th, 2024, Carolina announced the hiring of eight-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick as the program's new football coach.
• Belichick became the 40th coach in program history, the 12th to lead the program since joining the Atlantic Coast Conference in 1953.
• Belichick's ties to UNC date back to his father, Steve, who was an assistant coach for the Tar Heels from 1953-55.
• With the coaching transition, the 2025 Carolina Football coaching staff features more 240 years of combined NFL experience.
• The 2025 roster features 38 returners and 70 newcomers, including 40 transfers and 30 true freshmen.

Scouting Charlotte
• Tim Albin begins his first season leading the 49ers, hired as the program's fourth head coach on December 8th.
• A year ago, Charlotte ended the season at 5-7 (4-4 American), finishing 2024 winning two-straight contests.
• Last weekend, Charlotte began the 2025 campaign with a 34-11 defeat courtesy of Appalachian State, in the Duke's Mayo Bowl Kickoff Classic.
• Under center, the 49ers are led by quarterback Conner Harrell, who spent the previous three seasons with the Tar Heels.

A Win Over Charlotte Would...
• Be Carolina's 752nd all-time victory in program history.
• Give Coach Belichick his first win at the college level and his first win at Carolina.
• Be Carolina's second all-time win over the 49ers, the first in The Queen City.
• Give the Tar Heels their 11th all-time victory in the city of Charlotte, including the third consecutive in the regular season.
• Be Carolina's seventh-straight non-conference victory over a fellow North Carolina program.

Series History: Charlotte
• Saturday is the second all-time meeting between the two programs.
• The Tar Heels lead the matchup, 1-0, after a 38-20 victory in Kenan Stadium last September.

From The Notes: TCU Recap
• Since joining the ACC in 1953, North Carolina is 17-27 in season opening contests versus a Power Conference opponent.
• Carolina opened the season on a non-Saturday for the fourth time in program history, the first since 1941.
• The Tar Heels opened the season with a seven play, 83 yard touchdown drive in 3:59. The scoring drive was the fastest to start a season since 2014 (2:11 vs. Liberty).
• Caleb Hood's opening-drive rushing touchdown was his third career on the ground, the first since 2023.
• In the third quarter, quarterback Max Johnson connected on his 48th career passing touchdown, his first as a Tar Heel. The passing score was his first since Nov. 4, 2023 during his time at Texas A&M, also caught by his brother, Jake.
• Defensive back Kaleb Cost snagged his first interception of the year midway through the second quarter, his third career takeaway.
• Tom Maginness' 51-yard punt in the third quarter was his ninth career punt of 50-or-more yards.

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Players Mentioned

Kaleb Cost

Conner Harrell

Caleb Hood

Max Johnson

Tom Maginness