CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) — The North Carolina Tar Heels still have a big question to answer this season — who will fill Drake Maye’s shoes at quarterback?
Both Conner Harrell — who played in last year’s Duke’s Mayo Bowl game in Charlotte against West Virginia when Maye decided to sit out — and transfer Max Johnson have been getting reps in preseason practice. UNC head coach Mack Brown said last week that both would play in Thursday’s season opener at Minnesota.
Despite the uncertainty of who will be the team’s signal caller, North Carolina still has a proven offensive weapon in running back Omarion Hampton, as well as veteran defenders in Power Echols and Kaimon Rucker. UNC was picked to finish eighth in the preseason Atlantic Coast Conference poll.
Following the nationally-televised game against the Golden Gophers, the Tar Heels have three more non-conference games, then open ACC play with a matchup at rival Duke. Other notable away games include trips to Virginia and Florida State, with the regular season schedule ending with the traditional post-Thanksgiving rivalry game against NC State, which is in Chapel Hill this year.
UNC begins the season Thursday night against Minnesota at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Here’s the Tar Heels’ full season schedule, with times if announced.
North Carolina Tar Heels football 2024 schedule
Thursday, Aug. 29: 8 p.m. at Minnesota (Huntington Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN)
Saturday, Sept. 7: 3:30 p.m. vs. Charlotte
Saturday, Sept. 14: 6 p.m. vs. NC Central
Saturday, Sept. 21: Time TBD vs. James Madison
Saturday, Sept. 28: Time TBD at Duke (Wallace Wade Stadium, Durham, NC)
Saturday, Oct. 5: Time TBD vs. Pittsburgh
Saturday, Oct. 12: Time TBD vs. Georgia Tech
Saturday, Oct. 26: Time TBD at Virginia (Scott Stadium, Charlottesville, VA)
Saturday, Nov. 2: Time TBD at Florida State (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, FL)
Saturday, Nov. 16: Time TBD vs. Wake Forest
Saturday, Nov. 23: Time TBD at Boston College (Alumni Stadium, Chestnut Hill, MA)
Saturday, Nov. 30: Time TBD vs. NC State