North Carolina comes back to win opener 35-27

Posted Aug 31, 2008
Brandon Tate's strong legs and shifty moves helped North Carolina score three touchdowns in a span of 15:15 starting late in the third quarter to defeat McNeese State in its season opener. North Carolina won 35-27 to give Coach Butch Davis his second season-opening win in a row. Tate amassed 397 all-purpose yards to set a school record. The former mark was 339 yards set in 1986 by running back Derrick Fenner against Virginia. (Winston-Salem Journal)

Related: Football, Football Recruiting

South Carolina to pay UNC $1M for canceling football series
South Carolina will pay North Carolina $1 million for canceling a home-and-home football series between the schools. The Gamecocks and Tar Heels were scheduled to...
Fri Jun 5, 2026

Bill Belichick wants to make UNC football better than it’s been, but not thinking national title
The University of North Carolina football program hasn’t won an Atlantic Coast Conference title since 1980 when a young Lawrence Taylor tormented opposing offenses —...
Wed Jun 3, 2026

ACC Announces 2026 Bowl Season Schedule
The ACC, ESPN, and Bowl Season announced the 2026 bowl schedule Wednesday. The ACC’s 2026 postseason lineup includes 17 possible bowl destinations, highlighted by 15...
Wed Jun 3, 2026

UNC Football Opponent Snapshot: Duke
Manny Diaz and Duke football lost 17 players to the transfer portal, while adding 19. Of the 19, nearly half are expected to slide into...
Wed Jun 3, 2026