The North Carolina Tar Heel football team won their 2016 home opener Saturday defeating James Madison 56-28.
The explosive Tar Heels offense rang up a whopping 635 total yards in the game.
However, the defense was missing Roanoke Rapids native and Defensive Tackle Nazair Jones, who suffered a possible concussion earlier in the week during practice when he collided with a teammate. Jones absence was noticeable in the first quarter as James Madison was able to make big gains with runs through the middle that set up scoring drives that actually led them to a 21-14 lead at one point. But the Tar Heels were able to settle in and win the game going away.
Jones passed all UNC protocol tests for a concussion earlier Saturday morning has stated he has been cleared to return to practice on Monday and the Tar Heels decided to hold him out of the game as a precaution. Jones also stated he will hopefully be back in action next Saturday when the Heels face Pittsburgh in their ACC opener at Kenan Field in Chapel Hill.
The Panthers are led by Heisman Trophy candidate and cancer survivor James Conner. Jones run stuffing presence will be very much needed if the Tar Heels are to open the ACC season with a victory.
a few UNC game photos by Randy Wrenn
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