After waiting nearly 10 months to play inside Kenan Stadium, the North Carolina Tar Heels will host Charlotte on Saturday for their 2024 home football opener.

UNC held on for a 19-17 victory over Minnesota last week, thanks to a perfect night from kicker Noah Burnette and a much-improved defense.

The 49ers, on the other hand, scored a second quarter touchdown in their home opener on Saturday, Aug. 31. Charlotte never scored again, as James Madison rattled off 30 unanswered points for a 30-7 victory.

Despite North Carolina's tendency to play in-state opponents every year, in addition to annual battles with NC State and archrival Duke, the Tar Heels and 49ers have yet to play each other.

Biff Poggi, who is in just his second year as Charlotte's head football coach, has also never coached against UNC.

That didn't stop Poggi from calling North Carolina the state's best college football program. This is a pretty big compliment to receive, especially with the Tar Heels playing alongside consistent programs like App State and NC State.

UNC will actually be facing a few of its former players on Saturday: defensive back Ja'Qurious Conley, wide receiver Justin Olson and defensive back Dontae Balfour.

Can North Carolina turn in a dominant effort and start its 2024 campaign with consecutive victories?

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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire : Charlotte head football coach Biff Poggi praises UNC program