UNC football beats Georgia State, 35-28. Mack Brown’s team is now 3-0 on the season
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North Carolina looks for its second straight road win against a Sun Belt opponent when it takes on Georgia State at noon in Atlanta.
The Tar Heels (2-0) are the first Power Five team to visit Center Parc Stadium, which was converted from the former 1996 Olympic stadium that turned into Turner Field and once served as the home of the Atlanta Braves baseball team. The Panthers (0-1) are coming off a season-opening loss at South Carolina.
The News & Observer’s C.L. Brown is at Center Parc Stadium and will have updates from all the action.
Jones fumble
Carolina committed its third turnover for the game when D.J. Jones fumbled at the end of a 21-yard run. GSU takes possession at the UNC 46.
Hampton TD run: UNC 35, Ga State 28, 3Q
Omarion Hampton put the Heels back in front with a 2-yard touchdown run. The key play on the drive was a 47-yard completion from Drake Maye to tight end John Copenhaver.
Hampton TD run: UNC 28, Ga State 28, 3Q
Omarion Hampton burst up the middle for a 58-yard touchdown run, for his fourth rushing scoring this season. Hampton only entered the game after D.J. Jones limped off the field with an injury.
Lewis TD catch: Ga State 28, UNC 21, 3Q
The Panthers went 98 yards in 10 plays taking their first lead of the game on a 29-yard touchdown catch by robert Lewis. GSU added a 2-point conversion.
Paysour fumble
UNC receiver Kobe Paysour fumbled two steps after catching a crossing pattern ending a drive that reached the GSU 42. The Panthers take over at their own 26.
Hayes FG: Ga State 20, UNC 21, 3Q
The Panthers made good on their takeaway when Michael Hayes kicked a 45-yard field goal.
Maye interception
UNC quarterback Drake Maye threw his first career interception on his 100th pass attempt for the season. It came on the Heels’ first play of the second half.
Lewis TD catch: Ga State 17, UNC 21, 3Q
Robert Lewis caught a pass in front of UNC cornerback Tony Grimes and outran safety Cam Kelly, who overplayed the ball, for a 49-yard score.
Hayes FG blocked
UNC gambled by going for a fourth down at its own 39, but the Panthers could not take advantage of it. Carolina’s Myles Murphy blocked a 44-yard field goal attempt by getting a hand up as the ball crossed the interior of the line.
Byrd TD catch: Ga State 10, UNC 21, 2Q
Kris Byrd caught his first touchdown pass of the season on a 6-yard score. The Panthers marched 75 yards in 11 plays.
Paysour TD catch: UNC 21, Ga State 3, 2Q
Kobe Paysour made an over the shoulder grab for a 28-yard touchdown. Drake Maye is now 10-for-11 passing for 163 yards and two touchdowns for the Heels.
Jones TD run: UNC 14, Ga State 3, 2Q
D.J. Jones capped off a 55-yard scoring drive with a 7-yard touchdown run. Jones had all of his 31 total rushing yards during this scoring drive.
Hayes FG: Ga State 3, UNC 7, 1Q
Georgia State finished off a drive that nearly ended with a fumble that was overturned on replay as an illegal forward pass. Michael Hayes kicked a 45 yard field goal to get the Panthers on the board.
Egbuna ejected
Obi Egbuna, a special team’s captain for UNC, was called for targeting after a head-to-head hit on Jamyest Williams while making a tackle on a punt return. Egbuna is disqualified from the game.
Morales TD catch: UNC 7, Ga State 0, 1Q
UNC quarterback Drake Maye threaded the needled on a seam route to tight end Kamari Morales, who evaded one tackle and raced 55 yards for a touchdown. It marks the second game Carolina has scored on its opening drive.
Injury Update
UNC receiver Josh Downs will miss his second straight game with a left knee injury suffered in the fourth quarter of the season opening win over Florida A&M. Offensive tackle Spencer Rolland, running back Caleb Hood are also out with lower body injuries.
Safety Don Chapman, who was arrested and released In Chatham County due to a domestic incident on Thursday, will not play.
Check back here for updates during the game.
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