This news is from The Associated Press.

Campbell Fighting Camels
The team known as the North Carolina Tar Heels.
On Saturday, November 4th at 12:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time, the ACC Network will be airing.

On Saturday, North Carolina will face Campbell in an attempt to break their two-game losing streak. The team had a strong start to the season with six wins and even reached the No. 10 spot in the AP Top 25 rankings.

That was the best start for the program since 1997. But the Tar Heels have lost to Virginia and Georgia Tech the past two weeks to fall completely out of the rankings.

The defense has regressed greatly in the past two games, particularly evident in allowing 246 rushing yards in the fourth quarter of their defeat against the Yellow Jackets on the road.

The Camels are a team in the Championship Subdivision.

What is at risk?

Reworded: The Tar Heels had a strong beginning to their season two weeks ago, with a 6-0 record and a No. 10 ranking in the AP Top 25 poll, their best start since 1997.

They have lost two consecutive games in the Atlantic Coast Conference, dropping their ranking to unranked. This includes a loss against Virginia, who only had one win prior to the match.

UNC must come together as they take a break from conference games to compete against the Camels, a fellow team from the same state in the Championship Subdivision.

KEY MATCHUP

UNC’s defense against the Camels’ running game has been a cause for concern. In their last two games, the Tar Heels have taken a significant step back defensively, particularly in their ability to stop the run. Prior to the game against Virginia, UNC ranked fifth in the ACC in run defense, allowing an average of 113.8 yards. However, in that game, they allowed 228 yards, and in their recent game against Georgia Tech, they gave up 348 yards, with 246 of those yards coming in the fourth quarter alone.

Campbell ranks in the center of the FCS standings with an average of 152.6 rushing yards per game. However, according to UNC coach Mack Brown’s statement on Monday, if he were in their position, he would focus on running the ball.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Campbell’s quarterback, Hajj-Malik Williams, is in the top 15 of the FCS for averaging 262.2 yards per game and throwing 16 touchdowns. He has the second-highest completion percentage in the nation at .743.

UNC running back Omarion Hampton has emerged as a top runner, currently ranking tied for fourth in the nation with an average of 115.4 yards per game. He has been a valuable asset to the team, working in tandem with star quarterback Drake Maye’s downfield passing abilities. Most recently, Hampton had a standout performance of 153 yards and two touchdowns, bringing his total rushing touchdowns for the season to 10.

FACTS & FIGURES

Campbell has a record of 0-10 against teams in the Bowl Subdivision, which includes losses to in-state opponents Appalachian State (in 2014 and 2020), Wake Forest (in 2020), and East Carolina earlier this year. Despite holding Georgia Tech scoreless in the first and third quarters, UNC still managed to score 24 points in the third quarter and 22 points in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, Campbell’s two-game winning streak came to an end with their loss to Richmond last weekend. Quarterback Hajj Malik Maye is ranked third in the country for total offense (352.2 yards) and fourth for passing (319.9 yards). The Tar Heels have a strong offense, ranking third in the Bowl Subdivision for total offense (509.4 yards) and 16th nationally for scoring (36.6 points). UNC has also been getting great production from tight end Bryson Nesbit, who had three catches for 93 yards and a touchdown against Virginia, and a similar performance (three catches for 89 yards and a score) against Georgia Tech. This brings Nesbit’s total number of touchdown catches to four for the year. Campbell joined the Colonial Athletic Association in July after dropping their varsity football program in 1950, but resuming play in August 2008.

Source: wralsportsfan.com