College football makes its long-awaited return to Chapel Hill today, with our North Carolina Tar Heels hosting the Charlotte 49ers for their 2024 home opener.

UNC barely squeaked by Minnesota on the road last week, 19-17, thanks to a second-quarter Max Johnson touchdown, four Noah Burnette field goals and an extra point, plus a much-improved, pressure-heavy defense compared to 2024.

North Carolina will have to quickly adjust without Johnson, though, who suffered a season-ending broken leg against Minnesota. Conner Harrell, who started the 2023 Duke's Mayo Bowl, now takes over as starting quarterback for the rest of 2024.

Charlotte enters Kenan Stadium off a 30-7 loss to James Madison, who happens to be North Carolina's Week 4 opponent, in its own home opener. The 49ers took a 7-3 lead in the second quarter, then never scored again.

Despite UNC's tendency to play in-state opponents every year, including NC State and archrival Duke on an annual basis, UNC has never played Charlotte. The 49ers consistently struggle, with 2019 (7-6, 503) their lone winning season since a program revival ahead of the 2013 seasons.

The Tar Heels should beat Charlotte fairly easily, but nothing's a guarantee. Make sure you're following along here for live game updates throughout, as we'll be updating with scores, big plays, major moments and more.

Davion Gause stamps the win

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Freshman running back Davion Gause finds the end zone as UNC extends the lead to 38-13 late in the fourth quarter. Gause is now over 90 yards rushing in the game and has his first career rushing TD.

Noah Burnette extends the lead

Noah Burnette remains perfect on the year, connecting for a 44-yard field goal to extend the lead to 31-13.

Trick play for a touchdown!

UNC completes a trick play with a few reverses and then Conner Harrell with a DEEP touchdown to Christian Hamilton for a 58-yard score!

Bryson Nesbit OUT for the rest of the game

North Carolina announced that tight end Bryson Nesbit is OUT for the remainder of the game.

Charlotte cuts into lead after opening drive score

Charlotte has cut the lead down to 21-13 with a touchdown pass from Deshawn Purdie to Bryce Kennon.

Charlotte QB Max Brown questionable to return

HALFTIME: UNC 21, Charlotte 6 after four consecutive scoreless drives

After North Carolina and Charlotte traded scoreless opening drive in the first quarter, both teams scored on five consecutive drives spanning from the first to second quarter.

UNC scored touchdowns on each of its drives: a 30-yard touchdown pass from Conner Harrell to Bryson Nesbit, a 37-yard end-around from wide receiver Nate McCollum and a 4-yard Harrell run.

Charlotte drove down the field on each of their two scoring drives, landing deep in UNC's red zone, but had to settle for field goals.

Charlotte starting QB Max Brown injures himself in second quarter

Charlotte quarterback Max Brown did a stellar job moving the football in the first half, completing eight passes for 175 yards.

After an injury he appeared to sustain on a Kaimon Rucker sack, Brown hasn't returned. 49er offense struggling as a result.

Conner Harrell takes it in himself for UNC's third first-half touchdown

North Carolina defense makes another HUGE goal-line stand

UNCs defense held the 49ers out of the end zone AGAIN. North Carolina giving up too many big plays, but making crucial stops when it counts.

Charlotte drove 72 yards in just nine plays early here in the second quarter, setting up what appeared to be their first touchdown of the afternoon.

Nate McCollum takes the end-around for UNC's second touchdown of the day

The Tar Heels scored on their second-consecutive drive against Charlotte, needing just five plays for Nate McCollum to find the end zone on a beautiful end-around late in the first quarter.

UNC holds Charlotte to field goal after 49ers drive to 5-yard line

Charlotte nearly tied the game up, driving the length of the field midway through the first quarter, but UNC's defense kept the 49ers out of the end zone.

Another big stand for a North Carolina defense that has looked much better than 2023, but still has some kinks to iron out.

TOUCHDOWN! Conner Harrell to Bryson Nesbit

Charlotte sack-and-fumble ends UNC's first drive

UNC looks a little rusty out of the gate, with Charlotte sacking Harrell and forcing a fumble to end UNC's first drive. Tar Heels recover, but Charlotte drive starts at midfield.

UNC hosting Charlotte for its 2024 home opener

North Carolina began its 2024 college football campaign with a gutsy, 19-17 win at Minnesota last week, but it now opens its home-heavy campaign today against Charlotte.

The last time UNC played inside Kenan Stadium, it delivered a 47-45, double-overtime win over Duke in the closing seconds.

Pre-game atmosphere at Kenan Stadium

It's about 3 p.m. and you can feel the energy flowing throughout Kenan Stadium. All UNC and Charlotte players are warming up on the field. Fans are starting to pour into the stadium. Student section has a nice crowd and there is a decent bit of Charlotte green throughout.

Conner Harrell preparing for first start of 2024

Conner Harrell was pressed into action late last week, relieving an injured Max Johnson at quarterback late in the Tar Heels' 19-17 victory at Minnesota. Harrell looked a little rusty, completing just two of four passes for 34 yards, but one of those completions was on a zone read to J.J. Jones that set up a UNC field goal.

Harrell looked really strong during pre-game warm-ups today. He's had a whole week to re-familiarize himself with the playbook, so look for an improved effort from North Carolina's second-year signal-caller.

Noah Burnette looking sharp in warm-ups

UNC starting kicker Noah Burnette made a very strong, early-season case for the Lou Groza award last week, converting on his lone extra point and all four field goal attempts, including the 45-yard eventual game-winner with under two minutes.

We've been watching Burnette continue converting kicks in pre-game warm-ups against Charlotte. What will he deliver for an encore this weekend?

Kaimon Rucker OUT with lower-body injury

Moments before kickoff in the Kenan Stadium press box, we learned that star UNC edge rusher Kaimon Rucker will be out multiple weeks with a lower-body injury. He is having an unknown procedure done. We will update you if we hear more.

UNC backup running back Darwin Barlow announced out with a lower-body injury

Darwin Barlow, brought in from USC this offseason to take some of the workload off Omarion Hampton, was also announced out with a lower-body injury moments prior to kick-off.

Senior Caleb Hood is dressed and should play some valuable snaps. Freshman Davion Gause is also available.

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire : Live Updates: UNC's home football opener vs. Charlotte