— text and picture by Patrick Magoon freelance writer for WIZS
After disappointing back-to-back losses, the North Carolina Tar Heels found their footing, scoring 52 unanswered points against the visiting Campbell Fighting Camels.
“Our guys did what you’re supposed to do,” said UNC head coach Mack Brown. “They took the team that they were better than and dominated them.”
Sophomore running back Omarion Hampton ran rampant, rushing 15 times for 144 yards and two touchdowns. After one half, Hampton became the latest Tar Heel to amass 1,000 rushing yards in a season. Through the air, UNC quarterback Drake Maye completed passes for 244 yards and four touchdowns.
“The offensive line did their thing all day,” said Hampton. “They opened up the holes and allowed me to reach 1,000 yards.”
UNC took an early lead in the first quarter after Devontez Walker caught a 10-yard touchdown pass. However, the lead was short-lived after Campbell responded with a seven-play, 62-yard scoring drive to the game at 7-7 towards the end of the first quarter.
At the start of the second quarter, Hampton demonstrated his explosive running abilities with a 54-yard rushing touchdown, and UNC reclaimed its lead. UNC scored 21 unanswered points in the second quarter as Campbell struggled to build momentum.
Entering the third quarter, UNC, holding onto a comfortable 14-point lead, wasted no time scoring for the fifth time. Maye completed three passes for 75 yards in 37 seconds. At this point, Campbell couldn’t match UNC’s intensity and continued to fall further behind.
Throughout the remainder of the game, UNC’s strong defensive unit forced three turnovers (two fumbles and an interception) and allowed just 98 yards of total offense. The unit, led by linebackers Cedric Gray and Power Echols, accumulated 79 total tackles, including five sacks and 10 TFLs. UNC’s defense also batted down four passes.