College Sports

Photos: North Carolina Tar Heels defeat Syracuse, remain undefeated

By Robert T Willett

The undefeated North Carolina Tar Heels face off against the Syracuse Orange in their second conference game of the season on Saturday, October 7, 2023 in Chapel Hill, N.C.

North Carolina wide receiver Devontez Walker played his first game of the 2023 season, after the NCAA granted him full eligibility earlier this week.

Quarterback Drake Maye lead the offensive attack passing for 442 yards and three touchdowns.

North Carolina’s Kobe Paysour (8) takes a selfie with fans following the Tar Heels’ 40-7 victory over Syracuse on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina’s Kobe Paysour (8) takes a selfie with fans following the Tar Heels’ 40-7 victory over Syracuse on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Kaimon Rucker (25) celebrates the Tar Heels’ 40-7 victory over Syracuse on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina’s Kaimon Rucker (25) celebrates the Tar Heels’ 40-7 victory over Syracuse on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Cedric Gray (33) and teammate Zach Rice (55) celebrate the Tar Heels’ 40-7 victory over Syracuse on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina’s Cedric Gray (33) and teammate Zach Rice (55) celebrate the Tar Heels’ 40-7 victory over Syracuse on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Syracuse head coach Dino Babers congratulates North Carolina coach Mack Brown following the Tar Heels’ 40-7 victory on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Syracuse head coach Dino Babers congratulates North Carolina coach Mack Brown following the Tar Heels’ 40-7 victory on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Syracuse head coach Dino Babers congratulates North Carolina coach Mack Brown following the Tar Heels’ 40-7 victory on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Syracuse head coach Dino Babers congratulates North Carolina coach Mack Brown following the Tar Heels’ 40-7 victory on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina reserve quarterback Conner Harrell (15) warms up beside coach Mack Brown, to replace Drake Maye during the fourth quarter against Syracuse on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina reserve quarterback Conner Harrell (15) warms up beside coach Mack Brown, to replace Drake Maye during the fourth quarter against Syracuse on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Diego Pounds (61) congratulates teammate Kobe Paysour (8) after he scored on a 76-yard pass from quarterback Drake Maye to give the Tar Heels’ a 37-7 lead in the third quarter on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C
North Carolina’s Diego Pounds (61) congratulates teammate Kobe Paysour (8) after he scored on a 76-yard pass from quarterback Drake Maye to give the Tar Heels’ a 37-7 lead in the third quarter on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Kobe Paysour (8) scores on a 76-yard pass play from quarterback Drake Maye to give the Tar Heels’ a 37-7 lead in the third quarter on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina’s Kobe Paysour (8) scores on a 76-yard pass play from quarterback Drake Maye to give the Tar Heels’ a 37-7 lead in the third quarter on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Kobe Paysour (8) races to the end zone ahead of Syracuse’s Alijah Clark (5) Isaiah Johnson (3) for a 76-yard touchdown on a pass from quarterback Drake Maye to give the Tar Heels’ a 37-7 lead in the third quarter on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina’s Kobe Paysour (8) races to the end zone ahead of Syracuse’s Alijah Clark (5) Isaiah Johnson (3) for a 76-yard touchdown on a pass from quarterback Drake Maye to give the Tar Heels’ a 37-7 lead in the third quarter on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Kobe Paysour (8) races to the end zone for a 76-yard touchdown on a pass from quarterback Drake Maye to give the Tar Heels’ a 37-7 lead in the third quarter on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina’s Kobe Paysour (8) races to the end zone for a 76-yard touchdown on a pass from quarterback Drake Maye to give the Tar Heels’ a 37-7 lead in the third quarter on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Kobe Paysour (8) pulls in a pass from quarterback Drake Maye over Syracuse’s Alijah Clark (5) for a 76-yard touchdown to give the Tar Heels’ a 37-7 lead in the third quarter on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina’s Kobe Paysour (8) pulls in a pass from quarterback Drake Maye over Syracuse’s Alijah Clark (5) for a 76-yard touchdown to give the Tar Heels’ a 37-7 lead in the third quarter on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) looks for a receiver in the fourth quarter against Syracuse on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Maye passed for 442 yards and three touchdowns in the Tar Heels’ 40-7 victory.
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) looks for a receiver in the fourth quarter against Syracuse on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Maye passed for 442 yards and three touchdowns in the Tar Heels’ 40-7 victory. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Bryson Nesbit (18) pulls in a 23-yard pass from quarterback Drake Maye for a touchdown ahead of Syracuse’s Aman Greenwood (26) to give the Tar Heels’ a 17-0 lead in the second quarter on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina’s Bryson Nesbit (18) pulls in a 23-yard pass from quarterback Drake Maye for a touchdown ahead of Syracuse’s Aman Greenwood (26) to give the Tar Heels’ a 17-0 lead in the second quarter on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Bryson Nesbit (18) reacts after securing a first down on a 13-yard completion from quarterback Drake Maye in the fist quarter against Syracuse on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina’s Bryson Nesbit (18) reacts after securing a first down on a 13-yard completion from quarterback Drake Maye in the fist quarter against Syracuse on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) breaks away from Syracuse’s Derek McDonald (15) for a 12-yard gain in the second quarter on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) breaks away from Syracuse’s Derek McDonald (15) for a 12-yard gain in the second quarter on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) breaks away from Syracuse’s Derek McDonald (15) for a 12-yard gain in the second quarter on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) breaks away from Syracuse’s Derek McDonald (15) for a 12-yard gain in the second quarter on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton (28) carries the ball for seven yards in the first quarter against Syracuse on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton (28) carries the ball for seven yards in the first quarter against Syracuse on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina wide receiver Devontez Walker (9) makes a 6-yard reception from quarterback Drake Maye in the first quarter on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Walker was granted eligibility this week by the NCAA to play in his first game of the 2023 season for the Tar Heels.
North Carolina wide receiver Devontez Walker (9) makes a 6-yard reception from quarterback Drake Maye in the first quarter on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Walker was granted eligibility this week by the NCAA to play in his first game of the 2023 season for the Tar Heels. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton (28) carries the ball for six yards in the first quarter against Syracuse on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton (28) carries the ball for six yards in the first quarter against Syracuse on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Nate McCollum (6) tumbles into the end zone after being downed at the one-yard line on a 48-yard pass completion from quarterback Drake Maye to set up a touchdown in the second quarter on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina’s Nate McCollum (6) tumbles into the end zone after being downed at the one-yard line on a 48-yard pass completion from quarterback Drake Maye to set up a touchdown in the second quarter on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina wide receiver Devontez Walker (9) enters the playing field the Tar Heels’ game against Syracuse on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Walker was granted eligibility this week by the NCAA to play in his first game of the 2023 season for the Tar Heels.
North Carolina wide receiver Devontez Walker (9) enters the playing field the Tar Heels’ game against Syracuse on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Walker was granted eligibility this week by the NCAA to play in his first game of the 2023 season for the Tar Heels. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina coach Mack Brown talks with Syracuse head coach Dino Babers prior to their game on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina coach Mack Brown talks with Syracuse head coach Dino Babers prior to their game on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) warms up for the Tar Heels’ game against Syracuse on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) warms up for the Tar Heels’ game against Syracuse on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Jaybron Harvey (14) warms up with his teammates for the Tar Heels’ game against Syracuse on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina’s Jaybron Harvey (14) warms up with his teammates for the Tar Heels’ game against Syracuse on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina wide receiver Devontez Walker arrives at Kenan Stadium for the Tar Heels’ game against Syracuse on Saturday, October 7, 2023 in Chapel Hill, N.C. Walker was granted eligibility by the NCAA this week, to play in his first game of the 2023 season.
North Carolina wide receiver Devontez Walker arrives at Kenan Stadium for the Tar Heels’ game against Syracuse on Saturday, October 7, 2023 in Chapel Hill, N.C. Walker was granted eligibility by the NCAA this week, to play in his first game of the 2023 season. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina fans line the sidewalk as they await the arrival of the football team on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C
North Carolina fans line the sidewalk as they await the arrival of the football team on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

This story was originally published October 7, 2023 at 3:21 PM with the headline "Photos: North Carolina Tar Heels defeat Syracuse, remain undefeated."

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