Chansky’s Notebook: The Irish Dream

Posted Sep 24, 2020
UNC punter Ben Kiernan grew up in Dublin on rugby and had never seen a game of American football, much less played one. His parents moved their family to Raleigh before Ben’s last year in middle school and he went out for the football team pretty much as a lark. He later went to a Charlotte kicking camp run by former Tar Heel kicker Dan Orner. (Chapelboro.com)

Related: Football, Football Recruiting

Four Takeaways From UNC Football's Statement Win Over TCU
For UNC Football coach Bill Belichick, who entered the season facing no shortage of scrutiny on and off the field, the performance offered something that...
Mon Aug 31, 2026

Sam Howell shines in NFL preseason finale, several Tar Heels sit, teams waive six
After a weekend when starters Drake Maye, Omarion Hampton, Josh Downs, and Javonte Williams all sat out the final preseason games, there was plenty of...
Mon Aug 31, 2026

Bill Belichick's ‘big factor’ formula on display in UNC football win vs TCU
UNC football found a winning formula in Ireland against TCU, a tried-and-true strategy that helped Bill Belichick win six Super Bowl titles as an NFL...
Sun Aug 30, 2026

Xavier Lewis Wreaks Havoc as 'All-Down Guy' in UNC's Season-Opener
Looking along North Carolina’s defensive line, it would be easy for Xavier Lewis to get lost in the shuffle. But Saturday night at Aviva Stadium,...
Sun Aug 30, 2026