UNC’s Omarion Hampton took a handoff from Drake Maye in the second quarter, burst through a hole and raced, literally, untouched 68 yards down the left sideline for a touchdown.
He was just getting started.
Our Best In State FBS offensive player of the week carried the ball 26 times for a career high 234 yards and three touchdowns Saturday, helping the Tar Heels survive a wild double-overtime game against the Mountaineers. UNC won 40-34.
While no one laid a hand on him during his first score, Hampton plowed through nearly the entire App State defense on for his second TD, a bullish 7-yard carry in the second half. His third touchdown, a 17-yard dash over the left side, equalized the game 34-34 in overtime after the Mountaineers had scored first.
Hampton is a sophomore from Clayton, NC. He played his high school football at Cleveland High. In 2022, he became the first UNC freshman since Charlie “Choo Choo” Justice to rush for 100 yards in his collegiate debut.
Hampton’s play Saturday proved pivotal on a night when Maye, the ACC’s preseason player of the year, wasn’t at his sharpest (no touchdown passes). The Heels have indicated they want to rely on the run game more this season, in the semblance of their Orange Bowl season in 2021. So far, Hampton is helping answer that call.
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FBS Defensive Player of the Week:
Demetrius Knight II | Charlotte
The 49ers had the nation’s attention for awhile during Saturday night’s NBC Big Ten prime time broadcast debut. Charlotte jumped to a 14-0 lead at Maryland in the first quarter, thanks in part to the play of Knight, a transfer linebacker from Georgia Tech.
On the first play after the 49ers took a 7-0 lead, Knight stepped in front of a Taulia Tagovailoa throw, returning it 16 yards for a touchdown.
Knight led Charlotte with seven tackles on the night, including four solo hits. He is part of a large transfer contingent playing for the new-look Charlotte lineup this season. He is from Locust Grove, Ga.
Charlotte lost the game 38-20 but the game remained tight until the final quarter. The 49ers led 14-9 at the break and only trailed 17-14 after three periods.
“The first three quarters were lights out,” Charlotte coach Biff Poggi said of the 49ers defense. “We’re playing a Big 10 East team. They’re a very good football team. We have a two touchdown lead early, and then we make them earn nine points like they’re climbing Mt. Everest. Our defense just had to play too much.”
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FBS Special Teams Player of the Week
Matthew Dennis | Wake Forest
The Demon Deacons enjoyed a comfortable 36-20 win over visiting Vanderbilt. Dennis, a redshirt sophomore from Charlotte, did his part. The Myers Park High alum booted three field goals of 25, 44 and 20 yards. He converted all three PAT attempts.
Dennis is 7-of-7 on PATs this season. He’s now 63 of 64 on extra points dating back to last year.
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More FBS headlines from NC Football News
- UNC RB, NC State WR spotlighted in Phil Steele national preview magazine
Omarion Hampton earns first-team All-American, while KC Concepcion makes the cover - East Carolina future football schedules: Pirates add Clemson for ’29
ECU also will play NC State, Wake Forest, NC Central, South Carolina, West Virginia, Coastal Carolina, Old Dominion in the years ahead - Circle your calendars: Composite 2024 college football schedule for North Carolina
34 programs. 303 total games. 186 contests played within our state’s borders. Let’s go! - Purple Passion: Western Carolina football will visit ECU in 2027
Catamounts and Pirates have met 20 times in a series that dates back to the 1930s - Top returning QBs to watch in North Carolina this season
Twelve signal callers who could put up big numbers across all four NCAA divisions in 2024
