Max Johnson comes in at QB amid blowout, Gio Lopez injury

North Carolina starting quarterback Gio Lopez was injured during the Tar Heels season opener in the third quarter against TCU. Veteran quarterback Max Johnson was put in the game in his place.

The change came following Lopez fumbling the ball, leading to a TCU recovery and touchdown. Lopez appeared shaken up after the play and was taken to the tent. A specific injury has not been specified.

“Max Johnson getting his opportunity on the last turnover that Gio Lopez, the starting quarterback had,” Rece Davis said on the ESPN broadcast. Had he took a hit low and he’s in the injury tent right now. A transfer from South Alabama, a guy that won the job won the competition with Max Johnson. We’ll check on him if we get word on his condition and it.”

Johnson came into the game without any prior reps on the night — but you wouldn’t have known that to be the case. Johnson completed nine of his first 10 passes after coming into the game. This was a major difference from how the game was going with Lopez in the game. In comparison, Lopez went over two hours without a completion between the first and third quarters.

He led North Carolina on a 10-play, 80-yard drive that resulted in a Johnson touchdown pass to his own brother, Jake Johnson, for a two-yard score. It was the first touchdown for the Tar Heels since its opening drive.

It’s the first touchdown pass for Johnson since the 2023 season when he was at Texas A&M. Johnson is a college football journeyman who has played two years for LSU, Texas A&M and now North Carolina — six years total.

Last season, Johnson played less than one game after breaking his leg in the season opener. Johnson’s injury occurred during the third quarter against He finished that game 12 of 19 passing for 71 yards. He rushed for a touchdown and threw an interception before leaving the game.

Johnson will hope that his performance against the Horned Frogs could shoehorn him into the starting lineup moving forward. However, it remains unclear the severity of Gio Lopez’s injury. His status will likely be updated throughout the week.

For now, the Tar Heels will move forward for Week 2 against Charlotte on the road. North Carolina will hope for a better outcome to that matchup than Monday’s.