BERKELEY, Calif. (WNCN) — For only the fifth time in program history, the North Carolina Tar Heels are playing a football game in the state of California.
The Tar Heels (2-3 overall, 0-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) are set to face the California Golden Bears (4-2, 1-1) Friday night in a Week 8 matchup. The game is set to kick off at 10:30 p.m. ET at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley.
UNC is coming of its second bye week, one that was more tumultuous than the first amid reports of discontent in the program under Bill Belichick as well as the suspension of an assistant coach for alleged NCAA violations and the retirement of a veteran running back.
On the field, the Tar Heels last played on Oct. 4 when they were dominated 38-10 by Clemson in Chapel Hill. Max Johnson started the game at quarterback for the home team in place of the injured Gio Lopez and threw 208 yards, completing 26 of his 42 passes. UNC’s lone touchdown came on the ground, with running back Benjamin Hall finding the end zone in the fourth quarter.
Cal is also coming off a bye week after suffering a loss on Oct. 4. The Bears’ last defeat was at the hands of UNC’s rival Duke, who came to Berkeley and won 45-21. In that game, Cal’s freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele threw for 245 yards and a touchdown, but was also picked off three times. Former NC State running back Kendrick Raphael led the Bears’ ground game with 67 yards and two touchdowns in the loss.
Up next for UNC is a date against long-time rival Virginia. The Tar Heels and Cavaliers are set to play next Saturday afternoon.