In a back-and-forth fourth quarter, the Gophers mounted a furious rally but couldn’t finish the job, losing 19-17 to North Carolina in Thursday night’s season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium. Gophers kicker Dragan Kesich went wide right on a 47-yard field goal attempt as time expired, sending the Tar Heels into a celebratory mood.

North Carolina took the lead on a 45-yard field goal by Noah Burnette with 1:44 to play.

Just because there’s a new quarterback under center doesn’t mean everything is fixed. Max Brosmer completed just three of his first seven passes for 43 yards while under pressure from the Tar Heels pass rush. He didn’t really get going until late in the first quarter, when his deep ball intended for Daniel Jackson earned a pass interference penalty. Then, in the second quarter, Brosmer found Jackson for a key 20-yard gain on the go-ahead TD drive. Brosmer completed 13 of 21 passes for 166 yards.

A 70-yard interception return by Justin Walley lit the Gophers up in the second quarter, leading to their first touchdown. And after a key third-down sack by North Carolina quarterback Max Johnson forced a punt, Minnesota’s offense drove 65 yards for the go-ahead touchdown late in the second quarter.

Trailing 14-7 at halftime, North Carolina turned to its 1,500-yard rusher, Omarion Hampton, in the second half. The junior carried seven times for 19 yards on the Tar Heels’ first possession of the second half, setting up a field goal. He rushed six times for 32 yards on the drive that cut the lead to 14-13. North Carolina had the ball for 13:34 of the third quarter, compared to 1:21 for the Gophers.

Hampton finished with 30 carries for 129 yards and five receptions for 17 yards.

While Hampton did an excellent job with his rushing skills, Burnette scored all four of his field goals.

The Gophers play their second non-conference game of the season on Sept. 9, hosting FCS-level Rhode Island at 11 a.m. Brosmer is quite familiar with the Rams, having gone 2-1 against them in his three seasons as New Hampshire’s starting QB. Last year, Brosmer threw for 430 yards and two TDs in a 34-28 overtime loss to Rhode Island.