2025 Week 2 UNC vs Charlotte

welcome everyone to the home of the Charlotte 49ers Jerry Richardson stadium and the fans have been filling this one up in anticipation of this clash and boy do we have a fun one ahead top 10 teams Target on their back going on their Road and right into the snake pit as we'll see the number 10 team in the country the North Carolina Tar Heels taking on a team from the AAC the Charlotte 49ers for EA Sports college football I'm Rees Davis joined here in the booth as always by David Pollock and Jesse Palmer guys let's te this one up and the tars will put total leather to crank us up and it'll come out to the 25 no attempt at a return so Charlotte's offense will get the first crack added here and as we watch wide receiver come onto the field when you have a dude like this you find ways to get him the ball over and over again no matter what the defense tries to take away yeah because the defense can't win whether you double team them we're still going to win and they're going to give him the ball and quick passes they're going to throw deep and they're going to take advantage of him every opportunity they can they will feed him they will feature him because he's just that good slow man wins and he just smashed him and he'll run across the sidelines after the good game it's a draw he's knocked down in the back field he'll lose a couple on that last third down play if you're going to go draw the quarterback's got to do a better job selling pass I think he was just a little bit too quick getting the ball to the running back and now here we are fourth down fourth down and the punt team sends it the other way he only needs a SL of daylight found a lot of running room before he goes out of bounds and what a way to build a little momentum the tar Hills offense will take the field for the first time as we take a look at our impact players for this game David what do you look for to make an impact from your leaders your leaders not only have to lead the football team but they got to step up and make plays on the field keep everybody calm these guys typically do a really good job of it yeah David and they also generally set the tone for their respective football teams regardless of which side of the ball they play on the teammates look towards them to step up in big games like this and he'll be smacked to the ground really important for a ranked team going into a hostile environment like this one not to give the underdog reason to believe yes reason to believe and don't give the fans reason to get jacked up and excited come out early be in a business mode mindset you got to start fast you got to have a sense of urgency you cannot come sleepwalking into an environment like this because if you do and you make some mistakes this crowd will pounce on you and sees momentum the tarel look to keep this drive humming to the air it's Harold buying some time and he'll step into the end zone touchdown North Carolina North Carolina and I tell you what this offense man we we got a small sample size we only had one game where they were unbelievable last game but another score early in this football game this offense is looking like a force to be reckoned with the8 unit on the field and he's got the extra point and it's 7 nothing to start this one a very efficient five playay scoring drive and closed the deal with a three yd touchdown run and they desperately wanted to attempt to return but decided not to instead they'll take the touch back Charlotte will send the offense back onto the field the last time we saw this offense we had to look quick it was a three and out Jesse they just had no rhythm in that last drive so someone's going to have to step up and make a play David get this thing going yeah let's find some juice find your guy find those plays that you know you can run side out forward backwards get some first downs get some positive momentum that's caught it's Reynolds that defense got gas but they finally get him the turf at the 47 the 49ers come to the line in the hurry up how nice is it as a quarterback when you don't have to throw post routes to get great stats no I can just throw it quickly to one of the fastest players in the entire nation and let him burn this defense got eight on first down now looking at a second and two second down just feeds the running back nowhere to run on that one he loses four on the carry they'll have to get it to the 37 on third down it's a draw and they'll finally get him down after a terrific pick up and the 49ers have it with a first and 10 and they just kind of sneak that one in there as a defensive guy third and five plus I'm thinking they were headed to the end zone no one there to stop him except the fell in the stri peny flag this one might be coming back that turned out to be a free play with the offsides penalty they'll wave it off and the touchdown counts and they did tack on that extra point without any Adventure so that was a six Place 75 ydd drive and he closed the deal by scooting 31 yds for the score he'll bring it out from inside his own 10 and he'll be brought down after a solid effort on that return offense set on first down to throw it's Harold quarterback moving got him and nobody's close they got him free for a big Gainer to the 43 and this quarterback wasn't thinking about taking off and running with that one he was outside the pocket but he kept his eyes down the field he kept reading the coverage he was surveying to find an open Target accurate throw and they get the first down he'll pull it down ran right through the defender and now he's still running he will step out of bounds but not before the big pick up and a first down for this offense he's going to pass now sliding to his left throws to the wide out fires into traffic it's picked off and they'll close in on him after a good return on the interception the offense set for a first down [Applause] play used the play fake now to throw fires to the wide out he's got an open man got room on the return touch down Charlotte and once he got away from the KN they had no shot at catching it this coaching staff was trying to identify Playmakers on offense early this year how about the start of the season this guy has had scored in their first game he scored early in this one defenses up to this point don't have any answers for this guy he'll bring it back from inside to spot he was looking for more Running Room but none to be found as he stopped at the 23 the North Carolina offense returns to the field that last Drive was promising for while but you just can't mess it up at the end with the pick Jesse no you got to be off he go oh and after the big gain the balls loose oh looks as if the defense got it everything broke down the quarterback tried to bail them out but he ended up making things worse when he fumbled yeah I like the quarterback in his athleticism extending the play and at least giving himself a chance got to finish still have to do a good job taking care of the football that's priority number one he wasn't able to the 49 ERS moving quickly to the line brown wants to pass got rid of it just in time nowhere close on that one as he got drilled trying to deliver the football and now they face third down looking to throw for it now adjusting and the quarterback was trying to extend the play and the defense brought it to a close and the 49ers will call on their punt team this will be the second time they've had to kick it away they'll get him down at the 21 yd line the coverage team able to stop him right there North Carolina has it back in the Tar Hill so pleased to send the offense back out they're bringing Heat and the quarterback caught up two and sacked at the 12 so they'll try to salvage this drive on second and long from the 12 he's looking to throw fires to the middle and the ball is intercepted and he's brought down after the pick but not before putting his offense in business line gets set first down give to the single back nowhere to run on that when he loses four on the carry going to work in the Red Zone they can pick up the first down without getting it into the end zone the give to the back they bring him down and he's going to lose a yard on that one how about the defender being a heat seeking missile he was on radar lock he found the football and flew down with some bad intentions didn't have much of a choice just had to throw that one away it'll be fourth down they'll try to cap off this drive with a field goal and he'll try to knock it through from 33 yds out field goal is good and now the lead is extended a little farther after putting three on the board the kickoff unit ready to go Carolina here he comes from inside his own five he was looking for more Running Room but none to be found as he stopped at the 23 the North Carolina offense returns to the field wasting no time throwing on this drive plenty of time in the pocket and he'll sling it out to the left flips the field in an instant and he has it down to the 25 yd line as they get set to snap at time winding down here in the quarter to the air it's Harold pressure coming and the quarterback couldn't withstand the Heat and he will go down as we one quarter we have the early makings of a quarterback duel as these stats will show you they gave up the sack on first down now it's second and 11 now the play fake now he's going to break the pocket makes a connection defense makes a stop but the chain move in it's first and goal from the e on the doorstep of cashing it in for the offense now improvising under heat he gets rid of it nobody the open he just throws it away and it'll bring up second down couldn't make the connection last time let's see if they' throw it again they're trying to get to it and he was drilled just as he released the pass it's incomplete that's a phenomenal job getting after the quarterback and getting a hit on him to affect his accuracy because if they didn't get the pressure that was going to be a touchdown he had and he strides his way into the end zone touchdown UNC car ling up to add another a methodical drive that they finish off by tossing it to the tight end and the tight end I tell you what this is a position that's evolved so much right and you see him move all over the field it's kind of like Where is Waldo you got to find this big fella especially down in the Red Zone area this is a guy they're going to Target and make the big play get the and the returner will be knocked down Charlotte has the ball back the 49ers offense will return to the field they've got the lead here last time they set him for a field goal but David got to find that balance between being aggressive and careful and I think they'll take that I got the lead bmer I got the football I got to take care of the football put a nice drive together and just get some kind of points on this drive no doubt lots to be happy about right now if you're this team I think for this one though on this drive it's about finding the one-on-one matchups that are in your favor and then exploit might as well give it to him again and he's swallowed up at the line of scrimmage by the big defensive tackle caught in the back field it's Matt and he goes out of bounds after a nice pick up on that one the 49ers will hustle to the line Brown will throw it good timing on the quick out found a bunch of room and got it to the 44 yd line and the 49ers have their offense in high gear and a defense I got to find a way to get some more pressure on the quarterback or disrupt their timing and their Rhythm I can't give them these big chunk plays through the air I got to he's going to let one fly down the middle and that one's incomplete wor taking a shot but couldn't hook up didn't connect last time let's see if they throw it again on second down give to the running back they bring him down and he's going to lose a yard on that one and you got to do a better job up front right there that run was doomed from the get-go nowhere to go the back gets hit as soon as he gets the football hard to succeed as a running back when you get the ball and you get cloged caught behind the line it's Reynolds and sure tackling there to keep him from getting to the first down marker the 49ers will try to pin them back with the punt and he can't quite get it down or out of bounds to into to the end zone for a Touchback North Carolina has it back in the Tar Heels so pleased to send the offense back out they put it in the end zone the last time they had it and now an opportunity to really take control with this this game you can feel the momentum shifting if they were able to take the football here drive it down the field and score again David they would have all of that momentum and there's nothing about momentum that you can corner like I I don't understand it but once it gets going in One Direction a lot of times it's so hard to swing it back the other direction the momentum is real and they got it couldn't find his man last time and that leaves him with a third and six from the gun wants to pass got a man it's Johnson and it is a chunk play a huge gain on that one before the defense brings it to an end and the tars will snap it on First and 10 they'll try the Run able to pick his way forward for a decent game before the defense gets him down after the productive first down play it's second and six off play action unloads to the wide out got him man in the middle they get him down at the 34 yd line give him 15 yds on the pickup and a first down back to pass it's Harold looking to the big tight end it's complete and a nice grab with a Defender right on him and he's down at the 20 the tarel are in the Red Zone they're threatening to score and they'll throw it finds his man it's Harris and just a short safe pass play they pick up a few line getting set on second down he'll just keep slinging it he's got his man they able to get him stopped just shy of the first down marker really need to pick up this conversion and avoid having to settle for the field goal catch in the middle it's Harris and they knock him down but he got past the line to gain guys how much better does it feel if you go to that locker room with a lead they have a chance to do it here he bullies his way all the way down to the 5 yd line now it's second and goal he's looking to throw quarterback extends to play and it's caught touchdown Tar Heels touchdown and I just love the execution by this offense late in the half man you want to take the lead you want to get that momentum on your side and they do it they finish it with the passing game now tell you what keep that passing game up you can keep this lead keep the momentum and keep putting up numbers 2 and they thought about a return Then thought better of it they'll bring it out to the 25 Charlotte will send the offense back onto the field David the punter got some work last time they'd like to keep him on the sidelines in this drive yeah it's not something you want to say very often you don't want the play out there this offense needs to get back lathered up and get a little bit more of the r best way to do that identify where your best players are and just get them the football give these guys some touches to Kickstart this offense they'll line up for a second down play Brown wants to pass and the pass is intercepted even with minimal gain on the return they working with a short field from the 36 first down here for the offense he wants to throw got out of trouble got rid of it he's got his man they stop him almost immediately short game there and still a little ground cover pick up the first this offense has a second down play nice defensive way to get a hand in there and knock it away we'll see if they go back to the air after the incompletion it's third and five in the gun looking to throw on third down can't make the connection in the defense putting on the heat and forcing the incompletion now on fourth down and five they'll try to move the chains the back goes in motion on fourth down they'll try to throw it dances away to BU time and they got him a sack denies the try to convert on for down the offense lining up for a first down play looking to move it through the air and that incomplete pass caused by the big hit on first down second down coming offense gets set for second down couldn't connect on first down now back to the air got it on the outside it's McGee and he'll step across the sidelines after making a good gain on that one third down conversions are a huge stat and this one would be a doozy if they can pull it off and that's incomplete a Defender all over him knock the ball to the ground fourth down coming up and the 49ers will bring the punt team onto the [Applause] field looking for a block it's Hamilton and they'll get him down after the return at the 27 yd line the North Carolina offense returns to the field they've got time they've got the lead and David is sort of like a doctor first Do no harm he lobs one high down the left side and that'll be incomplete man that would have been a big hitter on first down but second Downs coming up couldn't make the connection last time let's see if they throw it again scanning the field it's Harold nowhere to go and the ball is loose the defense all over that loose ball and now they're bringing it back back and the quarterback just ran out of time there and they were able to knock it free quarterbacks have got to do a great job keeping two hands on the football especially in passing situations like that and he takes it to the house touchdown 49ers and that is exactly what you want from your off man late in the half you want to execute and then punch it in physically on the ground Take the Lead going into the half take all the momentum nice EX the drive by that offense Carolina and he takes this from inside the five makes a move got in a room he is Electric in the return game and that one has the offense set up nicely looking for a productive play on first down he's going to pass quarterback floating away from pressure just couldn't find an open man he'll get rid of it and it'll be second down and that goes down as an incompletion but that's a smart play and the QB coach and RC will be very happy with the decision of the quarterback he got outside the pocket he obviously so he's outside The Tackle Box he knew he can throw it away as long as he got it past the line of scrimmage nothing there nothing open Live to fight another day well great job there by the defense because they weren't able to get him sacked right away but you saw the coverage in the back end no for the quarterback to throw the football didn't get the sack obviously you don't get the negative play but you also don't give up a big one you're feeling pretty good about where you are right now in this drive getting some heat the Freshman able to get home with the sack there's a timeout called as this offense tries to find a way to draw a little closer and in the closing moments of the first half they'll try to put a three spot on the board no and that is no good and after the Miss they're still down by a field goal the 49ers will try to kick this one deep to get things underway in the second half on the move from inside is five not a lot of space to be found good Hustle by the coverage team and they stop him at the 21 North Carolina has it back in the Tar Hill so pleased to send the offense back out if they're going to get on top in this game they're going to have to find a way to get the running game going in the second half agree so it can create some more balance some more unpredict and here's the third interception of the night and the offense makes the tackle in frustration after the interception Drive comes up empty and it's a turnover now they'll try to cash in this drive first and 10 from the 50 runs through the tackle they'll pick up four second and Six coming and the 49ers want to pick up the tempo they're trying to slow that Rush down with the draw that play just never had a chance they knock him down for a loss of five they've got the ball at Midfield they're facing a third and long brown will throw it can't make the connection on third down thanks to that tough hard-nosed pass defense and now it's Fourth Down the 49ers decide to punt it away they've been busy out there to punt for the fifth time today now it's going to take a chance to grab that one as it bounces out of bounds the North Carol offense returns to the field well the good news about this drive Jesse it can't go worse than last time through a pick on the first play no it certainly can't I think one good way David brings it down on the right side oh look out there he goes and they were looking for a chunk play and they got it the explosive picks up more than 30 the entire complexion of this possession changed on that one play now they've got it first and 10 inside the 20 pulls it in it's Randolph that completion will take them inside the 10 to the N yd line operating in the Red Zone here on second down he's looking to throw floating away got out of trouble and throws caught close to the marker it's Randol touchdown North Carolina and with that one they jump on top here in the second half and the extra point is good and it's a four point lead this dude is just slicing and dicing this defense into little tiny pieces carving him up completely comfortable knows exactly what he's getting had so much success today you got to find a way to make these quarterbacks feel more uncomfortable Charlotte has the ball back the 49ers offense will return to the field last time David it was one two three kick the last drive that three and out sometimes that puts your defense in a bad spot and you got to get a drive together here so you don't wear the defense out I just think David too predictable that last Drive they got to do something here to get this defense on the F leaves it with the back really nice job to squirt his way up to the 31 yd line they can really be aggressive after that last play it's second and three Brown wants to pass snags it over the middle and oh he was Off to the Races after the catch and they finally drag him down and the 49ers will snap it on First and 10 used the play fake now to throw got him downfield touchdown Charlotte that is the ultimate grab and go for the score how about that his second receiving touchdown of the ball game find ways to your athletes the ball they'll do the rest that's number two they better start playing some better Defense number three is coming soon ling up to cover the kick after that touchdown drive on the run from inside zone five he gets a block he's on the loose wide open and it's a foot race he'll take it to the house touchdown UNC he is a field flipping machine take it on one end return it to the other and now you get to celebrate what a beautiful job we always talk about defense we always talk about offense but man when your special teams come through for you and score it is huge and it provides such a boost for the crowd and it'll be a Touchback the ball will come out to the 25 yd Line Charlotte will send the offense back onto the field and David how they would love to stick it in the end zone one more time after that last drive and once you get the defense on their heels and the Freshman will CH up a sack the defense just simply not fooled by the play action often times an offense you're hoping the Run fake is going to slow down those pass rushers but man oh man they had their ears pinned back on second down they'll take to the air got it in the middle it's Thomas they bring him down but a solid pick up to put them in position to pick up a first down of the 49ers in the hurry up on third down going up top a little screen to the running back and that did not work defense smelled that one out from the beginning the punt team makes its way onto the field they're up to a half dozen kicks today he's got great [Applause] speed and the returner will be brought down car North Carolina has it back in the Tar Hill so pleased to send the offense back out Jesse looking to take it down the field for backto back touchdowns I think it's really important for them moving forward too to have a lot of balance right you want to be able to keep this defense guessing PA yeah and you got me searching for answers after that last drive you stack another drive on top of this their defense's heads are going to be spinning all over the place they're setting up the screen still running at the look at that toughness just running through everybody they finally get him stopped but what a good job by that front wall to set up the screen and create some range for their running back now a first down from the 45 yd line moving away from pressure it's complete and he won't quite get there but boy after that pick up just a few inches to go for the first and a of possibilities here pre- snap Motion in the back field wants to throw it's Harold moving out of the pocket going to try to get it himself he's run out of bounds but he's got enough to move the sticks and the Tar Heels are moving quickly down the field going up top on first down he's going to take off solid fundamentals on that tackle from this freshman and now on second down for this offense he's looking to throw fires to the wide out got his Man Down field touchdown tarhill and they take it in for six more points like a Thanksgiving turkey there is being cared no shot they have no idea how to get in this quarterback's head he's on fire everything he's doing he's working defensively we got to figure something out we got to try to do something a little bit different bring more pressure at this right shoot he's on so much fire you might as well just send everybody Blitz everybody live with the results cuz everything else ain't working anyways Charlotte has the ball back the 49ers offense will return to the field they'll run it out of the shotgun they bring him down and he's going to lose a yard on that one didn't get much done on that first play of the drive it's second and 11 from the gun give on the inside he's knocked down in the back field he'll lose a couple and the 49ers racing to the line in the hurry up on Third and long no secret what he needs here he's going to run it and he's not going to make it the defense denying him the first down and here comes the slips through the line working his way on the return up to the 40 yd line before he stop the North Carolina offense returns to the field David they love to do what they did last time and put this one in the end zone you ain't lying they did a great job the offense was clicking everything went well Palmer they executed and got the touchdown and they he's loose and they are finding some space in this defense he's got it down to the 25 big play offense and it has them threatening now first and 10 from the 25 buying some time as he moves left a shot toward the end zone and it's his fourth interception of the game they get him on the ground after the turnover but there is a flag on the field and we'll see if that will be a repri for this offense oh man thought he had the interception but the official rules gained too much of an advantage so wave off the turnover give up the yardage it'll be first down wants to throw on first down into the end zone touchdown North Carolina and they add six more to the board with that trip to the house number three a quick strike just as we expected yeah quick strikes are easy when you got such great field position obviously when the offense starts in such a good spot puts the defense in a bad position and the offense takes advantage and he'll just take a knee and this drive will start at the 25 they'll be able to get off one more play before quarters end they go to the ground and brought down looks as if that's how in the third these two quarterbacks have produced as we check out their numbers after three Carina we'll get this quarter going with a second down play Brown will throw it he'll Lo one deep down the left side he's got a downfield for a huge game touchdown ners and once he found there it was Katie barad door baby how about that quarterback taking the shot down field and delivering to the wide open receiver I love this quarterback re CU he's aggressive he wants to take shots he's looking for every opportunity to show off that Cannon and that arm Talent he showed it to all of us right there he'll start the return inside his SP just never had a chance to shake loose and he'll be brought down at the 24 North Carolina has it back in the Tar Hill so pleased to send the offense back out line gets set first down he's looking to throw it using his legs keeping his eyes down field all kinds of room to throw that one in there and chunk plays are the name of the game and they get one here before the defense finally makes the stop big play to start this drive and they're already out at the 48 it's first down a strike down field they get him on the ground at the 37 but give him 15 yds on that chunk play and they'll move the chains from inside the 40 at the 37 it's first down he wants to throw here he goes breaking the pocket he'll try to do it himself oh he's so hard to get on the ground he's got room finally run out of bounds but he has this offense rolling with a first down the Heels come to the line with a fresh set of downs dances away from the heat trying to make magic with his feet and he has vexed his defense with the scrambles another first down and yet another big gain so so close to cashing it in for this offense brought down at the seven after picking up three defense roll up deep in its own end on that last play now a second and long coming the run up the middle trying to steamroll his way in he's got it down to the one yd line right on the doorstep of P well he gets tackled down at the one yd line so offensively do you feel confident enough on third here trying to hand it off again yeah the end he goes UNC car and with that score you start to get excited because you can feel the momentum starting off two and up I mean you got to finish this one off but there's a great chance you're going to but this season has started just like you've wanted it to now just keep climbing see how high we can get in these rankings charlot he thought about bringing that out for a half second but he'll take a knee and they'll bring it to the 25 Charlotte will send the offense back onto the field looking to go up top on first down catch in the middle it's Thomas on his Fe the 45 and they are pushing the ball down the field a big pick up on that one the tackle is finally made you know as the head coach of this team this is one positive you're going to take away from this game is that your players don't quit and they're still willing to fight there's obviously a lot of things they've got to Iron Out offensively and we've seen that today but I do love the GP they're showing here late still trying to make plays nice job by the QB sitting back in the pocket you can tell he wants to throw the football go through his progressions nothing home take off and slide I love the slide at the end don't take a big shot wide open downfield and they'll finally bring him down after he rips off a huge play two minutes now left in this one and time is running short if they want to find a way to pull this one out first down for this offense looking to move it through the air fires into traffic picked off and he's wrapped up after a solid return on the pick the number one objective for a defense is to make the offense onedimensional well when they're trailing by this much late in the game they're onedimensional they have to pass the football we can bring more speed on the field you see it we know you're throwing the football nice break on the football nice interception this one's almost go down you know it's so important for offens is to want to keep third Downs manageable the way you do that by having success like that running the football on first down Pockets starts to collapse I just love the effort by the defense on this play we're late in the game it's in the fourth quarter guys are tired they're not able to get to the QB right away but they continue pursuing him and they're able to get to him outside of the pocket nice job quarterback strolling away from heat he's looking on the right side and it falls incomplete but that could have been disastrous Ender was right there they already have a comfortable lead up by multiple possessions but they're going to go for it here on fourth down trying to escape and get it himself will not get there a fourth down stop couldn't order better field position for this offense he'll come out throwing on first down and this will be incomplete a big hit there forces second down couldn't make the connection last time let's see if they throw it again Easy Brown wants to pass lets it Fly and he's on his way he'll go all the way touchdown Charlotte and a nice touchdown continuing to fight continuing to play this one it's pretty much over down multiple possessions this late in the football game it would take a miracle but nice job by this offense continue to fight push the ball down the field make plays few anxious moments there but the hands team true to its name as they make the grab and get the ball yeah and this is why you put your hands team on the field most of the time when you know it's coming and you put those guys that are great catchers of the football the first guys what do they do they go block they go blow somebody up and next guys catch the football and a big play on the outside what a job to keep those feet in bounds and get the completion now the chance to pay off that big play from just outside the five they want to throw it quarterback adapted can't make the grab as he was going for six right there I love the coverage on defense in the Red Zone everyone's got their eyes on the quarterback and they're flying to the football you saw that there on the incompletion they'll keep it on the ground to the left stiffing the goal line and he takes it in on the final play of the game you play through the echo of the whistle and they did that with the ceiling touchdown