Backups shine as North Carolina holds off Charlotte

Conner Harrell passed for two touchdowns and rushed for a third and true freshman Davion Gause ran for 105 yards as North Carolina held off Charlotte 38-20 Saturday afternoon in Chapel Hill, N.C.

A sophomore making his second career start, Harrell was 16-of-25 passing for 219 yards and rushed for 39 more as the Tar Heels (2-0) ran for 269 yards despite losing leading rusher Omarion Hampton to injury in the second quarter.

True freshman Deshawn Purdie was 9-of-19 passing for 134 yards and two touchdowns for the 49ers (0-2) after taking over for injured starter Max Brown in the second quarter.

After settling for field goals their first two trips into the red zone in the first half, the 49ers scored on their third try when Purdie followed up a 34-yard strike to Jairus Mack with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Bryce Kennon early in the third quarter to cut their deficit to 21-13.

But the Tar Heels responded with Harrell's 58-yard touchdown pass to Christian Hamilton and Noah Burnette's 44-yard field goal to build a 31-13 cushion entering the fourth period.

Gause scored from a yard out in the fourth quarter to open the gap to 38-13, and Purdie ended the scoring with a 28-yard pass to Henry Rutledge.

The Tar Heels opened the game with a three-and-out but scored touchdowns on their next three series to build a 21-6 lead at the half.

Harrell threw for one score to Bryson Nesbit and scored on a 4-yard run, and Nate McCollum scored on a reverse from 37 yards out.

The 49ers settled for field goals after twice driving inside the Heels' 10-yard line.

Injuries sidelined seven Charlotte starters in the first half, including Brown, who was 8-of-12 passing for 175 yards before leaving with an injured hand. He did not return.

North Carolina had three starters put out by injury, including running back Hampton who rushed for 77 yards in a little over a quarter before leaving for good.

--Field Level Media