How to watch Omarion Hampton, North Carolina football take on the Campbell Camels
North Carolina’s J.J. Jones had an odd sensation Saturday in the Georgia Tech game in Atlanta.
Jones first believed UNC running back Omarion Hampton was about to be tackled for a loss.
Then, he heard Georgia Tech fans … booing?
“I was like, ‘What’s going on?’ and then saw Omarion in the end zone,” Jones said.
Seems that Hampton has wrestled away from Tech’s Zeek Biggers, a 6-foot-6, 333-pound defensive tackle who tried to wrap him up behind the line. He quickly weaved and fought his way through traffic to a 17-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.
“Just trying to do damage control,” Hampton said Wednesday. “I just tried to get back in the line and see what I can do.”
Not that Jones, a wide receiver, was surprised by what he could do. It was more Omarion being Omarion.
“He’s so capable of making plays like that and he’s come a long way,” Jones said this week. “He’s done a lot for this team.”
Hampton is the ACC’s leading rusher with 923 yards and has 10 rushing touchdowns after going for 153 yards and two scores Saturday, albeit in UNC’s 46-42 loss at Georgia Tech. The 6-foot, 220-pound sophomore from Clayton was tied for fourth in the FBS in rushing yards per game at 115.4.
“I haven’t really noticed it,” Hampton said. “I’ll probably just wait until after the season to look at everything.
“I haven’t really thought about stats or anything. I just go out there and try to make every play my best play and see where it gets me.”
Hampton has become a better pass catcher. With 15 receptions for 158 yards, he’s a reliable receiver for quarterback Drake Maye, either on called plays or when things go haywire and Maye has to improvise. The back had four catches for 41 yards against Tech, with a long of 29 yards.
What was Georgia Tech’s problem last week could be Campbell’s problem Saturday when the Camels come into Kenan Stadium to face the Tar Heels (6-2, 3-2 ACC). The Camels (4-4) have given up 175.8 yards rushing a game, 12th in the Coastal Athletic Association.
“With Omarion, I think his improvement with his vision has been huge in how we’re trying to run the ball and our angles and how we’re trying to attack the line of scrimmage,” UNC offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey said this week. “He does a really good job of using his eyes. I think he understands the defense we’re playing (against), are they an even front, and where the linebackers fit this week.
“I just think his understanding of the game, his football IQ, has improved and that happens as guys mature and get older.”
UNC’s undefeated season ended with a 31-27 loss to Virginia and there was blowback about Hampton’s lack of touches in the second half. After 14 carries in the first half, he had five in the second despite averaging 5.9 yards for the game.
Hampton was coming off a 197-yard game in the big win over Miami, and Virginia was one of the worst in the ACC in rushing defense. Five carries?
Brown promised UNC would remedy that at Georgia Tech and did, Hampton getting a season-high 29 carries in his third consecutive 100-yard game. He should have another busy workload Saturday in the noon game at Kenan.
Hampton, who ignited for 234 yards against Appalachian State, said his success this season has come about as the game “slowed down” for him. Things move quickly in college football. Decisions need to be made quickly. Hampton’s not at Cleveland High anymore, something he learned – quickly – last year as a freshman.
“It’s figuring out what the O-line is doing, what the defense is doing,” said Hampton, who has improved his pass protection. “Once you figure out those things, you get more comfortable with it. I feel like it just slows down the whole game.”
Jones said Hampton was a quiet type, a man of few words, jokingly saying he usually has one-word replies to most everything. William Barnes tended to disagree, saying this week that Hampton has engaged him in some conversations.
“You’ve just got to catch him at the right moment,” Barnes said, smiling.
Then again, Barnes is an offensive lineman, seeing to it Hampton has that room to roam. You always have words – of thanks – for those guys.
HOW TO WATCH
The UNC-Campbell telecast will have a noon start and be shown by the ACC Network.
It can be viewed on Spectrum cable, on satellite providers DirecTV and Dish Network and streamed on DIRECTV Stream, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV and fuboTV.
NORTH CAROLINA (6-2, 3-2 ACC) VS CAMPBELL (4-4)
When: Saturday, noon
Where: Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill.
TV: ACC Network.
