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University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
2-1 , 1-0
North Carolina
3-0 , 0-0
Team Stats
MIN 0, UNC 7
UNC - McCollum,Nate 46 yd pass from Maye,Drake (Burnette,Noah kick) 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:13
MIN 0, UNC 14
UNC - Hampton,Omarion 1 yd run (Burnette,Noah kick), 6 plays, 80 yards, TOP 02:25
MIN 3, UNC 14
MIN - Kesich,Dragan 23 yd field goal 7 plays, 11 yards, TOP 02:29
MIN 3, UNC 21
UNC - Nesbit,Bryson 19 yd pass from Maye,Drake (Burnette,Noah kick) 7 plays, 80 yards, TOP 02:29
MIN 10, UNC 21
MIN - Taylor,Darius 2 yd run (Kesich,Dragan kick), 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:53
MIN 13, UNC 21
MIN - Kesich,Dragan 45 yd field goal 9 plays, 48 yards, TOP 04:38
MIN 13, UNC 24
UNC - Burnette,Noah 42 yd field goal 8 plays, 56 yards, TOP 01:26
MIN 13, UNC 31
UNC - Brooks,British 1 yd run (Burnette,Noah kick), 11 plays, 76 yards, TOP 05:23
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
Gophers Drop Road Opener at No. 20 North Carolina, 31-13
9/16/2023 6:17:00 PM | Football
Minnesota returns to Big Ten play Saturday night at Northwestern.
Maye overcame two interceptions and ultimately provided the only reliable source of offense for the Tar Heels (3-0), who were unable to run the ball against one of nation's top defenses.
McCollum, in his first year at UNC after transferring from Georgia Tech, had missed the season opener with an injury and had just one catch in his debut last week. But he was the clear top target on Saturday, going for 15 catches and 165 yards with a 46-yard contested scoring catch in the first quarter.
Omarion Hampton and British Brooks each ran for short TDs, with Brooks' 1-yard punch-in clinching this one by pushing UNC to a 31-13 lead at the 5-minute mark of the fourth quarter.
Darius Taylor ran for 138 yards and a touchdown shortly before halftime to lead Minnesota (2-1), but the Gophers generated little else beyond the dynamic running from the true freshman. Athan Kaliakmanis threw for just 133 yards on 11-for-29 passing, and that played a big role in Minnesota converting just 3 of 12 third downs.
THE TAKEAWAY
Minnesota: The Gophers had gone 19-1 against nonconference foes under P.J. Fleck, and the defense had led this year's effort by entering this game ranked in the top 10 nationally in total defense (223.5 yards) and scoring defense (8.0). That unit smothered UNC's most of the day (105 yards allowed, 2.8 yards per carry) but struggled to stop Maye from pushing the ball downfield or stopping McCollum from finding space at the other end of those throws.
UNC: Maye finally had a big passing game to start his season of high expectations, but this was as much about McCollum's performance, too. The Tar Heels have needed to find a new top target with Josh Downs in the NFL. That was expected to be Kent State transfer Devontez Walker, but he has been unable to receive a waiver to play immediately and can only watch from the sidelines. On Saturday it was McCollum — and now his chance to keep it.
UP NEXT
Minnesota: The Gophers return to the Big Ten looking for a 2-0 start in league play when they visit Northwestern next Saturday.
UNC: The Tar Heels open Atlantic Coast Conference play by visiting Pittsburgh next Saturday night.