By BOB SUTTON Associated Press

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina quarterback Conner Harrell threw for two touchdowns and ran for a score after moving into the starting role as the Tar Heels beat Charlotte 38-20 on Saturday.

Harrell was 16-for-25 passing for 219 yards with an interception. The third-year sophomore was in his second career start, moving up to first string after Max Johnson’s season-ending leg injury in the opener at Minnesota.

North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton, a preseason All-American, gained 77 yards rushing on 11 first-half carries, but he didn’t play in the second half. He had an apparent leg injury, though team officials said he was available after halftime.

Harrell’s 58-yard touchdown pass to Christian Hamilton off a reverse gave the Tar Heels a 28-13 edge.

Charlotte quarterback Max Brown was knocked out of the game with a first-half injury after completing 8 of 12 passes for 175 yards. He was sacked twice.

Backup Deshawn Purdie led the 49ers on a touchdown march on the first possession of the second half, capped by his 5-yard pass to Bryce Kennon.

Purdie later threw a 28-yard TD pass to Henry Rutledge.

Charlotte settled for first-half field goals of 25 and 20 yards from Kyle Cunanan.

North Carolina led 21-6 at halftime of the first meeting between the teams.

Harrell threw for 30 yards to Bryson Nesbit for 30 yards to complete a 94-yard drive for the game’s first points. Later in the first quarter, Nate McCollum scored on a 37-yard receiver end-around.

North Carolina played without injured edge rusher Kaimon Rucker, who has played in 51 career games and made two tackles for loss in the opener.

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 07: The North Carolina Tar Heels take the field for their game against the Charlotte 49ers at Kenan Memorial Stadium on September 07, 2024 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 07: The North Carolina Tar Heels take the field for their game against the Charlotte 49ers at Kenan Memorial Stadium on September 07, 2024 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 07: Bryson Nesbit #18 of the North Carolina Tar Heels breaks away from Treyveon McGee #2 of the Charlotte 49ers during the first half of their game at Kenan Memorial Stadium on September 07, 2024 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 07: Amare Campbell #17 of the North Carolina Tar Heels sacks Max Brown #1 of the Charlotte 49ers during the first half of their game at Kenan Memorial Stadium on September 07, 2024 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 07: Omarion Hampton #28 of the North Carolina Tar Heels runs against the Charlotte 49ers during the first half of their game at Kenan Memorial Stadium on September 07, 2024 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 07: Terron Kellman #0 of the Charlotte 49ers flips over Power Echols #23 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half of their game at Kenan Memorial Stadium on September 07, 2024 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 07: Head coach Mack Brown of the North Carolina Tar Heels watches his team during the first half of their game against the Charlotte 49ers at Kenan Memorial Stadium on September 07, 2024 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 07: Chris Culliver #3 of the North Carolina Tar Heels makes a catch against Stone Handy #11 of the Charlotte 49ers during the second half of their game at Kenan Memorial Stadium on September 07, 2024 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 07: Nate McCollum #6 of the North Carolina Tar Heels breaks away from Dontae Balfour #1 of the Charlotte 49ers for a touchdown during the first half of their game at Kenan Memorial Stadium on September 07, 2024 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 07: Davion Gause #21 of the North Carolina Tar Heels hurdles the Charlotte 49ers defense during the second half of their game at Kenan Memorial Stadium on September 07, 2024 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 07: Christian Hamilton #7 of the North Carolina Tar Heels makes a touchdown catch against the Charlotte 49ers during the second half of their game at Kenan Memorial Stadium on September 07, 2024 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 07: Stone Handy #11 of the Charlotte 49ers is called for pass interference against Christian Hamilton #7 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second half of their game at Kenan Memorial Stadium on September 07, 2024 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 07: CJ Clinkscales #12 of the Charlotte 49ers defends a pass to Caleb Hood #4 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second half of their game at Kenan Memorial Stadium on September 07, 2024 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

THE TAKEAWAY

Charlotte: The 49ers had more total yards than North Carolina after the first drive of the second half, but the inability to contain the Tar Heels became a problem. The 49ers haven’t figured out where they’re going to find consistent offense and an injury to the starting quarterback could complicate that quest.

North Carolina: The Tar Heels are learning to improvise on offense after losing a starter in the backfield for the second week in a row. They had enough firepower with 490 yards of total offense to get through this game and in the meantime were able to test several combinations of players in winning their home opener for the seventh consecutive year.

UP NEXT

Charlotte: Home Saturday vs. FCS opponent Gardner-Webb.

North Carolina: Home Saturday vs. FCS opponent North Carolina Central.