Yahoo Sports Tar Heels hope to put their depth on display: How to watch, stream UNC football vs. NCCU
UNC is dealing with a growing list of injuries, despite a 2-0 start.
With the upcoming game against FCS opponent and neighboring HBCU NC Central, this battered North Carolina squad isn’t looking for an easy win, but rather an opportunity — to showcase its depth and future of its roster.
To UNC, the expectation remains the same regardless of its opponent.
“Everybody is buying into the standard,” graduate defensive lineman Desmond Evans said. “Pretty much everybody is coming ready to practice. It’s the same mindset every day.”
The Tar Heels will need to rely on that preparation Saturday, especially in light of recent setbacks. Three top offensive players exited UNC’s game against Charlotte last weekend with injuries: running back Omarion Hampton, center Austin Blaske and tight end Bryson Nesbit. Rush end Kaimon Rucker and quarterback Max Johnson were also absent, due to a knee injury in the weight room and a broken leg sustained in the season opener, respectively.
Hampton and Nesbit are expected to be available for the upcoming game, while Blaske is still being monitored. Zach Greenberg, the Division III transfer, will be ready to step up again.
“Zach Greenberg has never been in a college football game at this level,” coach Mack Brown said, “We said, ‘You got it bud, go play center.’ And he did pretty well. So that’s what’s happening with this team. It gives everybody hope. It gives them a chance to play. The good thing is, the guys that got injured are not out for the year, so we’ll watch them this week and work toward getting them back.
Rucker, on the other hand, will not see the field on Saturday. Rucker missed the Charlotte game due to the aforementioned knee injury and is expected to be out for a couple of weeks due to an upcoming procedure.
Defensive line coach Ted Monachino said Rucker’s injury is “unfortunate,” but he feels his corps is prepared. Tyler Thompson will likely slot in for Rucker again on Saturday.
“We know what Kaimon Rucker is,” Monachino said. “We know how valuable he is. But this is a great opportunity to find out what we have moving forward beyond 2024.”
Johnson, who remained in Minneapolis for continued treatment, returned to Chapel Hill on Wednesday.
Quarterback Conner Harrell said he’s kept in contact with Johnson. They’ve texted a couple times and he’s asked Johnson’s brother Jake — a UNC tight end who also transferred from Texas A&M in the offseason — for updates on the injured QB.
“I text him for advice and [ask] ‘How can I be better? How can I be a better quarterback this week?’” Harrell said. “He gave me some good advice. Just play comfortable, calm your feet and just go out there and have fun. That means a lot coming from him.”
Despite these injuries, the Tar Heels’ depth shined in their win. Harrell had a strong performance, and true freshman Davion Gause stepped up with over 100 rushing yards.
Brown, Monachino and the rest of the coaching staff are confident these early opportunities for younger players will benefit the team long-term, as it encourages them to practice harder and gain valuable experience.
“They’ve believed that from the very beginning, ‘OK, this is my job as the understudy to one of the best players in college football, to be prepared at a moment’s notice to go in there and play like a starter,’” Monachino said. “When you trot out there with that NC logo on your helmet, there’s a certain standard that [you] have to live up to.”
BETTING ODDS
The Tar Heels are 37.5-point favorites over the Eagles, and the over/under set at 56.5.
HOW TO WATCH
The game will be shown on ACC Network Extra (ACCNX) through ESPN.com/watch and the ESPN app. Those without cable can access ACC Network through a live TV streaming service including fuboTV, Sling, Hulu + Live and YouTube TV.
NORTH CAROLINA (2-0) VS NC CENTRAL (1-1)
When: 6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14.
Where: Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill, NC.
TV: ACC Network Extra.
Series: It will be the first football game between the two UNC system schools.
