UNC Paid James Madison $500K for 2024 CFB Game; Surrendered 70 Points in Lopsided Loss.
North Carolina faced a crushing 70-50 defeat against James Madison on Saturday, and the disappointment extended beyond the scoreboard.
According to Darren Rovell of Cllct.com, the Tar Heels paid James Madison $500,000 to come to Chapel Hill for the game.
Darren Rovell
@darrenrovell
UNC is paying James Madison $500,000 to play them today.<br><br>At halftime…<br><br>James Madison 53, North Carolina 21. <br><br>👀👀👀👀
North Carolina fell into an early 11-0 deficit in the first quarter. Although they briefly led 14-11, James Madison erupted for 28 points in the second quarter, ending the half with a commanding 53-21 lead.
The 53 points allowed by North Carolina in a half is the highest in the school’s history, as reported by Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer.
Head coach Mack Brown’s team struggled both offensively and defensively throughout the game. While the Tar Heels managed to accumulate 50 points and 616 total yards, they also turned the ball over five times and converted only two of nine third downs.
In the second half, North Carolina limited James Madison to just 17 points, but they still allowed quarterback Alonza Barnett III to dominate, with Barnett finishing 22-of-34 for 388 passing yards and seven total touchdowns.
North Carolina isn’t the only team that has paid an opponent only to lose in 2024; Florida State dished out $1.3 million to Memphis before losing to them on September 14, and Notre Dame paid $1.4 million to Northern Illinois after a defeat on September 7.
Additionally, UNLV recently upset Kansas, earning $700,000 for their efforts.
After winning by a combined 53 points in their previous two games against Charlotte and NC Central, the Tar Heels experienced a stark reversal on Saturday.
