North Carolina’s attempt to fill the unexpected hole in its football schedule have been unsuccessful, a team spokesman said Sunday.
“After working the phones all weekend, we’ve been unable to secure an opponent for this coming Saturday,” UNC Football Communications Director Jeremy Sharp said in a statement. “Unless something changes, our next game will be at Boston College on Saturday, Oct. 3.”
The Tar Heels were scheduled to play Charlotte in their one nonconference game on Saturday, but the game was called off only a few days before kickoff because of a COVID-19 outbreak among the 49ers’ offensive line. Because the teams’ open dates don’t match up, the game can’t be made up.
One of UNC’s open dates is next Saturday.
In order to avoid a two-week break between games, coach Mack Brown and athletic director Bubba Cunningham hastily began to search for a replacement opponent.
Their options, however, were limited. Among the few viable opponents were FCS programs Mercer — which the Tar Heels beat in Chapel Hill last season — and North Alabama.