Updates from Charlotte: North Carolina outlasts South Carolina to kick off 2023 season

South Carolina plays No. 21 North Carolina at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Bank of America Stadium. The game is being televised on ABC. Follow along here for the latest score and updates.

Final score: South Carolina vs UNC

4Q: North Carolina 31, South Carolina 17

Mitch Jeter hit a 26-yard field goal for the Gamecocks’ first points of the half. The drive was set up by an O’Donnell Fortune interception

3Q: North Carolina 31, South Carolina 14

Facing pressure, Drake Maye finds John Copenhaver for a 1 8-yard TD to extend the Tar Heels’ lead. Maye is 22-of-27 passing for 262 yards and 2 TDs.

3Q: North Carolina 24, South Carolina 14

Omarion Hampton scored his second TD of the game, a 1-yarder with 11:35 in the third. The Tar Hens had a short field to work with after stopping the Gamecocks on the 47. The Tar Heels converted on a fourth down in the drive.

3Q: Gamecocks lose Wells

South Carolina receiver Antwane “Juice’ Wells was ruled out for the second half, coach Shane Beamer told ESPN. Wells had battled lower body injuries during the preseason but Beamer said he was “ready” to go earlier in the week.

2Q: North Carolina 17, South Carolina 14

The quick scoring continues as QB Drake Maye hit Kobe Paysour on a 34-yard TD with 2:50 left in the quarter. The big play of the drive was a 28-yard Komari Morales on third-and-three.

2Q: South Carolina 14, North Carolina 10

Just like the first quarter, the Gamecocks responded quickly to a UNC score. JuJu McDowell scored on a 1-yard run with 5:16 in the quarter. It took USC five plays to score. Spencer Rattler was 3-of-3 for 71 yards in the drive. Ahmarean Brown had two big catches for the Gamecocks.

2Q: North Carolina 10, South Carolina 7

Ryan Coe hit a 37-yard FG to put the Tar Heels back up with 7:05 left. The Tar Heels converted on two third downs in the drive.

2Q: Nick Emmanwori injury

Gamecocks starting safety Nick Emmanwori is out after suffering a hamstring injury in the first quarter, coach Shane Beamer said in a TV interview with ESPN. Emmanwori burst on the scene as a freshman last year after RJ Roderick was injured. Jalen Kilgore took over Emmanwori’s spot Saturday.

The ESPN. broadcast also said linebacker Mo Kaba is out for the game. Beamer did not address injury offensive lineman Cason Henry.

1Q: South Carolina 7, North Carolina 7

The Gamecocks answered right back as they marched 75 yards in eight plays, capped off by Dakereon Joyner’s 4-yard run.

The big play of the drive was Spencer Rattler’s 37-yard pass to Xavier Legette.

1Q: North Carolina 7, South Carolina 0

Tar Heels marched down the field with ease as Omarion Hampton scored on a 1-yard run with 9:50 in the first quarter.On the drive, South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori left the game on the first play and has yet to return.

These Gamecocks did not travel

Among the South Carolina football players who did not travel to the season opener in Charlotte: Bam Martin-Scott, Jatius Geer, Jaron Willis, DeAngelo Gibbs, Connor Cox, Isaiah Norris, Peyton Williams, Kam Sandlin, Markee Anderson, Xzavier McCleod, Ryan Brubaker, Landon Samson, Kelton Henderson, D’Andre Martin.

No Tez Walker for UNC

UNC will be without projected top receiver Tez Walker as he waits for the NCAA to rule on his eligibility.

For now, the Charlotte native was denied instant eligibility for the 2023 season by the NCAA as a two-time transfer. The Tar Heels have appealed that decision, saying Walker played college football only at one school — Kent State.

Tar Heels coach Mack Brown released a statement on Friday, voicing his displeasure.

“You can’t say you’re about helping kids and then show a total disregard for the kids you’re supposed to be helping,” Brown said. “It’s clear they are about process and not people.”

South Carolina announces captains

Shane Beamer announced through a Facebook video that Alex Huntley, Tonka Hemingway, Spencer Rattler and Dakereon Joyner are the captains for Saturday’s game.

Throwback helmets for Gamecocks

USC will be wearing white throwback helmets with the garnet block C for Saturday’s game. The Gamecocks wore those helmets last season against S.C. State on Sept. 29.

TV channel, kickoff time

Who: South Carolina (0-0) vs. UNC (0-0)

Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday

TV: ABC

Stream: Through the ESPN app or ESPN.com

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