- BEST IN STATE -

UNC’s Hampton rushes his way to Best In State offensive player of the week award

Charlotte linebacker, Wake kicker also collect our weekly honors

Published

September 10, 2023

North Carolina's Omarion Hampton, who rushed for more than 1,500 yards in 2023 joined the 100-yard rushing club in week one of the 2024 campaign (Photo by Andy Mead / courtesy GoHeels.com).

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.

Highlights of Omarion Hampton from the ACC Network.

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.”

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.