The Associated Press
SAN DIEGO STATE (1-0) at No. 21 NORTH CAROLINA (1-0), 8 p.m. ET (ESPNNEWS)
Line: North Carolina by 15
Series Record: North Carolina leads 1-0.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
North Carolina is after its first 2-0 start under third-year coach Larry Fedora, while the Aztecs are looking for just their third victory in the Eastern time zone since moving to Division I in 1969.
KEY MATCHUP
North Carolina defense vs. San Diego State offense. The Tar Heels forced six turnovers, including three during the third-quarter spurt that turned a tight game against Liberty into a blowout, and will return four defensive players — including both starting cornerbacks — from suspension. They will help against a San Diego State offense that has a knack for putting up points. Behind second-year starting QB Quinn Kaehler, the Aztecs have scored a touchdown in 10 consecutive quarters dating to last year and have scored 87 points in their past two games.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
North Carolina: WR Quinshad Davis has 112 catches, including three last week, and will look to find open seams against a San Diego State secondary that returns only one starter and has three sophomores and a freshman.
San Diego State: RB Donnell Pumphrey is coming off a 111-yard, two-touchdown performance against Northern Arizona and will look for another big day against a North Carolina defense that allowed Liberty to rush for 157 yards.
FACTS & FIGURES
The teams’ only previous meeting came in the 1998 Las Vegas Bowl, won by North Carolina behind 93 yards rushing from QB Ronald Curry. … San Diego State is 7-61 against teams ranked in the AP Top 25. … The Aztecs are trying to start 2-0 for just the third time in the past 20 years.
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