UNC Football Hosts Clemson, Ludacris Performs, Basketball Blue-White Scrimmage, Cole Cloer Cancels

Plus: Bryson Howard update, Diamond Heels land a catcher, quarterback questions, remembering Tylee Craft, and more individual Tar Heel honors.

Dabo Swinney faces Bill Belichick in clash of championship-winning coaches | Photo: New York Post

Buckle up for a big weekend in Chapel Hill starting Friday with the UNC Baseball scrimmage vs. Walters State at Boshamer Stadium. On Saturday, Ludacris performs at 10 a.m. in Polk Place, followed by the UNC Football game vs. Clemson at noon, and the Blue-White basketball scrimmage afterward. On to this week’s updates…

Football

It’s going to be another huge weekend in Chapel Hill with UNC Football hosting Clemson, Ludacris performing before the game, and the Blue-White basketball scrimmage at the Smith Center following the game.

Here are some things to know before you go:

• 8:00 AM: Kick Off Club, Fan Zone, and tailgating open

• 9:30 AM: Old Well Walk begins

• 10:00 AM: Chapel Thrill Concert Series, Ludacris

• 10:30 AM: Kenan Stadium gates open

• 10:30 AM: Marching Tar Heels perform in The Pit

• Noon: Kickoff

The Tigers are two-touchdown favorites, but we still don’t know the injury status of UNC quarterback Gio Lopez, which could play a big role in the outcome. Bill Belichick was ambiguous when discussing Lopez’s status at his press conference on Tuesday. Will we get the quarterback change that many Tar Heels fans are hoping for?

“When Gio is able to practice, we’ll see how much improvement he has made and can make. If he’s not, then other players will be in there.” - Bill Belichick

While we’re on the topic of backup quarterbacks, Carolina QB2(?) Max Johnson was nominated Wednesday for the Orange Bowl - FWAA Courage Award for his courageous comeback from last season’s devastating leg injury.

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And another class act, Tar Heel defensive back Will Hardy was named to the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year watch list.

Wednesday would have been former UNC wide receiver Tylee Craft’s 24th birthday, the first since he passed away from cancer last year. The UNC Football social media crew put together a must-watch “Mini Movie” in remembrance of Craft and the positive impact he had (and still has) on the Carolina Football family and the community.

And in the NFL, former UNC quarterback Drake Maye and running back Omarion Hampton are off to historic starts to the 2025 season:

Omarion Hampton had 128 yards rushing in Week 2, which is the most by a Chargers rookie since LaDainian Tomlinson in 2001.

And look at what Drake Maye is doing in Year 2 for New England: 👀

Basketball

Those of you attending the football game Saturday, be sure to make a full day of it and head to the Smith Center afterward to catch UNC Basketball’s annual Blue-White Scrimmage. Admission is free, and tipoff is one hour following the conclusion of the football game. I’ll have coverage of the scrimmage on Tar Heel Times and in Monday’s newsletter.

On Tuesday Oct. 7, Seth Trimble, Henri Veesaar, and Coach Hubert Davis will head to Charlotte for the annual ACC Tipoff media event.

Ten days later, the Tar Heels head to Cherokee, North Carolina for a “meet-and-greet, autograph session, and intrasquad scrimmage October 17-18” at Harrah’s Resort. Be on the lookout for Roy Williams at the craps table.

Finally, congratulations to former UNC defensive stopper and 2005 national champion Jackie Manuel, who has been named men’s basketball associate head coach at American University.

Basketball Recruiting

Another prominent name has been taken off the UNC Basketball recruiting board.