After severe thunderstorm pushed back Thursday’s season opener, the weather mostly cleared up for kickoff, but Gophers still sloshed and stumbled their way against North Carolina at Huntington Bank Stadium.
Minnesota almost got it figured out for another late win to start a season, but couldn’t tamp down its error-filled debut as Dragan Kesich pushed a 47-yard field goal just wide and the Tar Heels escaped with a 19-17 win.
Operators at Huntington Bank Stadium contributed their own mishap, by firing off a series of fireworks as if Kesich had made it. But North Carolina was celebrating on the field.
What a dud — all the way around.
Kesich made the game-winning field goal to win the 2023 season opener, 13-10 over Nebraska, but he couldn’t uncork another one. He made a 30-yarder in the fourth quarter, but also missed a 27-yard field goal the second quarter.
After a sloppy start in the opening 19 minutes, Minnesota found footing when senior cornerback Justin Walley picked off quarterback Max Johnson and returned it 70 yards to the Tar Heels’ 6-yard line.
Minnesota’s transfer running back Marcus Major scored a touchdown two plays later. The U looked like a different team for the final eight minutes of the half and took a 14-7 lead.
North Carolina scored 12 points in the second half, all from all-ACC kicker Noah Burnette.
Minnesota’s first half spell of quality passed as the offense managed minus-one yard on their first two drives of the second half and new transfer quarterback Max Brosmer fumbled on the third drive.
The Tar Heels weren’t much better, but were able to tack on three field goals to take a 16-14 lead with nine minutes left in the game.
Gophers receiver LeMeke Brockington made a 22-yard reception and fumbled it. But Major picked it up and added 16 more yards. Dragan Kesich made a 30-yard field goal to retake the lead with 3:40 remaining.
In the first game of the home-and-home series, North Carolina beat Minnesota 31-13 in Chapel Hill last September.
North Carolina put together a 17-play drive, but weren’t able to get into the end zone, settling for a 29-yard field goal. After the Gophers’ offense went three-and-out, Minnesota’s defense had another self-inflicted issue keep the Tar Heels’ drive alive.
On third and long, cornerback Justin Walley blitzed and got a hard hit on Max Johnson, but fellow cornerback Za’Quan Bryan’s holding penalty allowed Noah Burnette to smack a 52-yard field goal to cut the U lead to 14-13.
The Gophers appeared in need of a jackhammer to knock off the rust in the opening quarter. New transfer quarterback Max Brosmer overthrew tight end Jameson Geers on third down on his opening drive and the U would punt on three of its opening four drives.
The one drive the U was able to get something going early, top receiver Daniel Jackson came out of the game on third and goal from the 9 and a handoff to Marcus Major when nowhere.
Dragan Kesich then put a 27-yard field goal off the right post.
The Gophers defense hampered itself with two penalties on the Tar Heels second-quarter scoring drive, with an Aidan Gousby holding call negating a Jai’Onte’ sack fumble and Cody Lindenberg’s recovery. It would have helped change the game before Walley’s pick.
Then seven plays later, Gophers defensive tackle Deven Eastern’s personal foul gave North Carolina a first down inside the U red zone.
But on third and goal from the 3, three Gophers defenders — Gousby, Jack Henderson and Maverick Baranowski — missed tackles as Max Johnson dove across the line for a touchdown.
The Gophers’ pass defense was without one of its top safeties, Darius Green, but held the Tar Heels to their firsts first half passing yards (28) since the 2019 season.
The Gophers have started seasons on Thursday nights for the last 12 years, entering the North Carolina game at 10-2, with their only loses coming to No. 2 Texas Christian in 2015 and No. 4 Ohio State in 2021.
