Chansky’s Notebook: The Irish Dream

Posted Sep 24, 2020
UNC punter Ben Kiernan grew up in Dublin on rugby and had never seen a game of American football, much less played one. His parents moved their family to Raleigh before Ben’s last year in middle school and he went out for the football team pretty much as a lark. He later went to a Charlotte kicking camp run by former Tar Heel kicker Dan Orner. (Chapelboro.com)

Related: Football, Football Recruiting

North Carolina quarterback Gio Lopez plans return to Tar Heels in 2026
Quarterback Gio Lopez is expected to remain at UNC for another season in 2026. Last season, Lopez completed 65% of his passes for 1,747 yards,...
Fri Dec 26, 2025

Alijah Huzzie Promoted to Houston Texans' 5-Man Roster
The Houston Texans have promoted rookie cornerback Alijah Huzzie to the active roster from the practice squad. A North Carolina standout who transferred from East...
Fri Dec 26, 2025

Patriots' Drake Maye Reacts to Pro Bowl Selection
New England quarterback Drake Maye is enjoying the type of NFL season of which most of his peers may only dream. In addition to leading...
Thu Dec 25, 2025

That Time UNC Football Played on Christmas Day
The only time a UNC football or basketball team ever played a game on Christmas Day was in 1982, when the football Tar Heels upset...
Thu Dec 25, 2025