All Tar Heels

Omarion Hampton Could Break Two UNC Football Season Records

UNC football's Omarion Hampton looks to put the finishing touch on one historic individual campaign.

Matt Giles

UNC football running back Omarion Hampton (Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports)
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While UNC football has slowed down from its electric start to the year, Omarion Hampton has remained highly productive and impressive, outside his season's first two fumbles last time out.

In the Tar Heels' 31-20 loss at Clemson on Saturday, the 6-foot, 220-pound running back tallied 178 yards on only 19 carries, adding two scores to bring his total for the season to 15 rushing touchdowns.

With four more rushing touchdowns between UNC's two remaining outings, including the bowl game, Hampton would tie Don McCauley and Javonte Williams for the program's season record (19). He currently sits sixth on that list, needing two more to tie Kelvin Bryant and Elijah Hood (17) and three more to match Mike Voight (18) in third place.

As for rushing yards, Hampton's 1,414 thus far (tied with Oklahoma State's Ollie Gordon for the most in the FBS; each has 15 touchdowns, tied for fifth in the country) sits third among the program's all-time season marks. The 20-year-old from Clayton, N.C., trails Elijah Hood's 1,463 by only 49 yards and McCauley's UNC-best 1,720 by 306 yards.

It all seems well within reach for the sensational UNC football sophomore.

Omarion Hampton and the Tar Heels (8-3, 4-3 ACC), who have lost three of their past five contests since peaking at No. 10 in the AP Top 25 Poll with a 6-0 record, wrap up their regular season with a trip to Raleigh to face rival NC State on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET.

UNC Great Pays No Heed to Historic Numbers Through 11 Starts

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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