CHAPEL HILL — UNC football will have a new starting quarterback against Clemson .

Max Johnson , who entered the 2024 season as the Tar Heels ' starting QB under Mack Brown, will get his first start for coach Bill Belichick. Johnson is replacing Gio Lopez, who sustained a lower-body injury in UNC's loss at UCF and was listed as out on the ACC's final availability report in the hours leading up to the noon kickoff inside Kenan Stadium.

Johnson has 170 yards and two touchdowns in two relief appearances this season. Lopez has struggled with turnovers in each of UNC's games against Power 4 squads, finishing with three interceptions and a fumble.

It's the ACC opener for the Tar Heels (2-2). Clemson (1-3, 0-2 ACC) carries a two-game losing streak into the game, but the Tigers have won n

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