Photos: North Carolina Tar Heels top the Minnesota Golden Gophers

The North Carolina Tar Heels host Minnesota on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.

The Tar Heels led the Golden Gophers 21-10 at the half, despite two Drake Maye interceptions and went on to win 31-13.

North Carolina’s Bryson Nesbit (18) reacts after scoring a touchdown on a 19-yard pass reception from quarterback Drake Maye to give the Tar Heels a 21-3 lead over Minnesota on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill N.C.
North Carolina’s Bryson Nesbit (18) reacts after scoring a touchdown on a 19-yard pass reception from quarterback Drake Maye to give the Tar Heels a 21-3 lead over Minnesota on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill N.C.
North Carolina’s Bryson Nesbit (18) celebrates with teammate J.J. Jones (5) after scoring a touchdown on a 19-yard pass reception from quarterback Drake Maye to give the Tar Heels a 21-3 lead over Minnesota on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill N.C.
North Carolina’s Bryson Nesbit (18) celebrates with teammate J.J. Jones (5) after scoring a touchdown on a 19-yard pass reception from quarterback Drake Maye to give the Tar Heels a 21-3 lead over Minnesota on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill N.C.
North Carolina’s Bryson Nesbit (18) celebrates with teammate J.J. Jones (5) after scoring a touchdown on a 19-yard pass reception from quarterback Drake Maye to give the Tar Heels a 21-3 lead over Minnesota on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill N.C.
North Carolina’s Bryson Nesbit (18) celebrates with teammate J.J. Jones (5) after scoring a touchdown on a 19-yard pass reception from quarterback Drake Maye to give the Tar Heels a 21-3 lead over Minnesota on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill N.C.
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) slides under Minnesota’s Danny Striggow (92) after a gain of six yards in the second quarter on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill N.C.
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) slides under Minnesota’s Danny Striggow (92) after a gain of six yards in the second quarter on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill N.C.
North Carolina’s J.J. Jones (5) is stopped by Minnesota’s Justin Walley (5) and Tyler Nubin (27) after a 39-yard pass reception from quarterback Drake Maye to set up a touchdown in the second quarter on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill N.C.
North Carolina’s J.J. Jones (5) is stopped by Minnesota’s Justin Walley (5) and Tyler Nubin (27) after a 39-yard pass reception from quarterback Drake Maye to set up a touchdown in the second quarter on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill N.C.
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) congratulates teammates after leading a scoring drive and taking a 21-3 lead over Minnesota in the second quarter on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill N.C.
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) congratulates teammates after leading a scoring drive and taking a 21-3 lead over Minnesota in the second quarter on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill N.C.
North Carolina’s Nate McCollum (6) scores in a 46-yard pass reception from quarterback Drake Maye in the first quarter against Minnesota on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill N.C.
North Carolina’s Nate McCollum (6) scores in a 46-yard pass reception from quarterback Drake Maye in the first quarter against Minnesota on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill N.C.
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) holds his left shoulder after taking a hit in the first quarter against Minnesota on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill N.C.
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) holds his left shoulder after taking a hit in the first quarter against Minnesota on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill N.C.
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) warms up for the Tar Heels’ game against Minnesota on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill N.C.
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) warms up for the Tar Heels’ game against Minnesota on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill N.C.
North Carolina coach Mack Brown talks with Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck prior to the Tar Heels’ game against Minnesota on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill N.C.
North Carolina coach Mack Brown talks with Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck prior to the Tar Heels’ game against Minnesota on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill N.C.
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) and his teammates show their support for teammate Devontez Walker, wearing shirts with his likeness on the front and his name across their backs, as they walk from the Bell Tower to Kenan Stadium for their game against Minnesota on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill N.C. The NCAA announced earlier this month that Walker, a transfer to UNC from Kent State, wouldn’t be granted eligibility for the 2023 season.