For the first time since 2016, the Orange Panthers have shut out the Chapel Hill Tigers. Markus Thomas rushed for 177 yards and two touchdowns in the Panthers 30-0 win over the Tigers at Culton-Peerman Stadium in Chapel Hill on Friday night. The last time Orange shut out Chapel Hill was on October 21, 2016 in Hillsborough. It was a total team performance that led to Orange’s first nonconference win since August 30, 2024, when they defeated the Tigers in Chapel Hill. Kayden Bradsher rushed for 51 yards, including the opening touchdown on Orange’s first series. The Panthers scored touchdowns on their first three drives to take control of the game. Late in the first half, fullback Mason Stubbs scored his first varsity touchdown on a 9-yard pass from Jackson Moody. Stubbs dove for the pylon and stuck the ball into the left corner of the end zone. Offensive lineman Damauri Hester helped anchor an offensive line that helped Orange rush for 290 yards. The Tigers had a threat to score early in the fourth quarter, but safety T.J. Atkins sacked Chapel Hill quarterback Max Wehr to end the series. Orange will enjoy Labor Day weekend off and prepare for Hillside at Auman Stadium in Hillsborough on September 11, which will be the Panthers home opener.
