Photos: UNC defeats South Carolina 31-17

The North Carolina Tar Heels opened their 2023 college football season with a win over the South Carolina Gamecock at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. Saturday night, Sept. 2, 2023. The win was Mack Brown’s 100th as the Tar Heel head coach. The UNC defense sacked Gamecocks quarterback Spencer Rattler multiple times during the game.

North Carolina coach Mack Brown embraces Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell prior to the Tar Heels’ game against South Carolina on Saturday September 2, 2023 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.
North Carolina coach Mack Brown embraces Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell prior to the Tar Heels’ game against South Carolina on Saturday September 2, 2023 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.
North Carolina wide receiver Tez Walker (9) walks down the field before UNC’s game against South Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.
North Carolina wide receiver Tez Walker (9) walks down the field before UNC’s game against South Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.
Eric Church, wearing Tez Walker’s jersey, walks out with the captains for the coin toss before UNC’s game against South Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.
Eric Church, wearing Tez Walker’s jersey, walks out with the captains for the coin toss before UNC’s game against South Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.
North Carolina’s Kobe Paysour (8) looks for running room against South Carolina’s Stone Blanton (52) in the second quarter on Saturday September 2, 2023 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.
North Carolina’s Kobe Paysour (8) looks for running room against South Carolina’s Stone Blanton (52) in the second quarter on Saturday September 2, 2023 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.
North Carolina coach Mack Brown glances at the replay after a dropped pass by Gavin Blackwell (2) turned the ball over to South Carolina in the second quarter on Saturday September 2, 2023 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.
North Carolina coach Mack Brown glances at the replay after a dropped pass by Gavin Blackwell (2) turned the ball over to South Carolina in the second quarter on Saturday September 2, 2023 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.
North Carolina’s Kobe Paysour (8) celebrates with teammate Kamari Morales (88) after scoring a touchdown on a 34-yard pass from quarterback Drake Maye two give the Tar Heels a 17-14 lead in the second quarter on Saturday September 2, 2023 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.
North Carolina’s Kobe Paysour (8) celebrates with teammate Kamari Morales (88) after scoring a touchdown on a 34-yard pass from quarterback Drake Maye two give the Tar Heels a 17-14 lead in the second quarter on Saturday September 2, 2023 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) prepares to pass during the first half of UNC’s game against South Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) prepares to pass during the first half of UNC’s game against South Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.
North Carolina linebacker Cedric Gray (33) tackles South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) during the first half of UNC’s game against South Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.
North Carolina linebacker Cedric Gray (33) tackles South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) during the first half of UNC’s game against South Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) runs for yards during the first half of UNC’s game against South Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) runs for yards during the first half of UNC’s game against South Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.
North Carolina wide receiver J.J. Jones (5) celebrates after making a first down during the first half of UNC’s game against South Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.
North Carolina wide receiver J.J. Jones (5) celebrates after making a first down during the first half of UNC’s game against South Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.
North Carolina linebacker Kaimon Rucker (25) tackles South Carolina running back Dakereon Joyner (5) during the first half of UNC’s game against South Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.
North Carolina linebacker Kaimon Rucker (25) tackles South Carolina running back Dakereon Joyner (5) during the first half of UNC’s game against South Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.
South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) passes just as he is hit by North Carolina linebacker Cedric Gray (33) during the first half of UNC’s game against South Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.
South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) passes just as he is hit by North Carolina linebacker Cedric Gray (33) during the first half of UNC’s game against South Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.
North Carolina wide receiver Kobe Paysour (8) celebrates a 34-yard touchdown reception during the first half of UNC’s game against South Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.
North Carolina wide receiver Kobe Paysour (8) celebrates a 34-yard touchdown reception during the first half of UNC’s game against South Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) outruns South Carolina defensive end Bryan Thomas Jr. (46) during the first half of UNC’s game against South Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) outruns South Carolina defensive end Bryan Thomas Jr. (46) during the first half of UNC’s game against South Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.
North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton (28) gains yards as South Carolina defensive back Keenan Nelson Jr. (18) tries to slow him down during the first half of UNC’s game against South Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.
North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton (28) gains yards as South Carolina defensive back Keenan Nelson Jr. (18) tries to slow him down during the first half of UNC’s game against South Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.
North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton (28) celebrates after scoring on a one yard run to give the Tar Heels a 24-14 lead over South Carolina in the third quarter on Saturday September 2, 2023 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.
North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton (28) celebrates after scoring on a one yard run to give the Tar Heels a 24-14 lead over South Carolina in the third quarter on Saturday September 2, 2023 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.