UNC Football: Players of the Game versus Appalachian State

The UNC Football program survived a week two scare against Appalachian State. Who were the key players that helped the Tar Heels win the game?

As we mentioned following week one, after every UNC football victory, Mack Brown and the coaching staff will announce Players of the Game. We hope we get to have Players of the Game every week because that means the Tar Heels are winning football games. Following the 40-34 double-overtime victory against Appalachian State, who were the game’s key players for Carolina?

Offensively, there was no doubt who was winning the Player of the Game award this week. Omarion Hampton was DOMINANT. With British Brooks out due to a lower-body injury, Hampton carried the Tar Heels Saturday night, rushing for 234 yards on 26 carries and three touchdowns. He also had a reception for 10 yards on a key third down to keep the Carolina drive alive.

Senior defensive end Desmond Evans earned the defensive honors for Player of the Game against Appalachian State. The Tar Heel defense didn’t create as much pressure against the Mountaineers as they did a week ago versus the Gamecocks, but Evans was still a force among the front seven. He had six tackles, including 0.5 tackle for loss and one pass deflection.

Ben Kiernan earned his second special teams Player of the Game honor this season following his performance on Saturday. Kiernan had two punts for a total of 90 yards and landed both inside the Mountaineer 20. In a crucial situation, he also avoided one of his punts being blocked by the Mountaineers.

Follow us @KeepingItHeel on X (formerly Twitter) and like our fan page on Facebook for continued coverage of UNC football news, updates, and recruiting.