North Carolina vs. Appalachian State – Game Preview – September 3, 2022 – ESPN

Northern Carolina (1-0) at Appalachian State (0-0), Saturday, midday EDT (ESPNU)

Line: North Carolina by 1/2 level, in response to .

Collection document: Tied 1-1.

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

In-state bragging rights. Appalachian State defeated North Carolina in 2019 in Chapel Hill, a loss that did not sit properly with Tar Heels followers given the Mountaineers have at all times been seen because the little brother. However Appalachian State has repeatedly discovered itself within the Prime 25 since transferring as much as the FBS and has made its mark within the Solar Belt Convention with 4 titles. This sport has been bought out since July with greater than 30,000 followers anticipated at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone, North Carolina. Each colleges have excessive aspirations and obtained votes within the AP preseason Prime 25. A victory right here can be an enormous momentum increase for the winner.

KEY MATCHUP

Appalachian State QB Chase Brice vs. UNC’s secondary. Brice, now in his sixth season, threw for a school-record 3,337 yards and 27 touchdowns final season for the Mountaineers, who completed 10-4. He’ll face a Tar Heels secondary that seemed very suspect final week in opposition to Florida A&M. UNC allowed unheralded quarterback Jeremy Moussa to finish 28 of 38 passes for 279 yards and two touchdowns. Brice must discover some new weapons after 4 App State receivers signed NFL contracts this previous offseason.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

UNC: WR Josh Downs. The third-year receiver is a risk to take it to the tip zone any time he touches the ball. He had 9 catches for 78 yards and two scores in final weekend’s Week Zero opener. He ranked tenth within the Bowl Subdivision with 1,335 yards receiving.

Appalachian State RBs Nate Noel and Camerun Peoples. Each backs have had 1,000-yard seasons with Noel doing it final 12 months and Peoples in 2020. The Mountaineers must be sturdy up entrance with 4 of 5 starters returning on the offensive line.

FACTS & FIGURES

UNC coach Mack Brown was Appalachian State’s head coach in 1983 — he was 32 years outdated on the time — earlier than working as Barry Switzer’s offensive coordinator at Oklahoma in 1984. … Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye grew to become the primary participant in program historical past to throw 5 landing passes in a primary begin. … That is the primary of two straight street video games in opposition to Solar Belt Convention opponents for UNC. The Tar Heels journey to Georgia State subsequent week. … Appalachian State’s final 5 video games vs. Energy 5 colleges have been determined by lower than seven factors. … Appalachian State, Alabama, Clemson and Oklahoma are the one FBS packages with nine-plus wins yearly since 2015. .. The Mountaineers misplaced seven defensive starters from final 12 months’s workforce.

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