North Carolina got the kind of win that can change the mood around a program, knocking off No. 25 Pittsburgh 21-17 and giving Bill Belichick his first ranked victory as Tar Heels head coach.
That matters. Belichick has been pushing this group toward real results, not just encouraging signs, and Saturday finally delivered one of those results.
After last week’s loss to No. 3 Notre Dame, this was the kind of response North Carolina needed.
The defense held up well enough, the offense hit a few explosive plays, and the Tar Heels walked away with momentum heading into a rivalry game next weekend.
The defense wasn’t spotless, but it made the key plays when it had to. Pittsburgh went 0-for-4 on fourth down, including a huge stop before the two-minute timeout in the fourth quarter. North Carolina also came away with two interceptions and two sacks, and it repeatedly bent without completely breaking in the red zone, forcing the Panthers into field goals or empty trips.
Jordan Shipp was the most reliable piece on the field for North Carolina. He finished with six catches for 93 yards and kept showing why he has become the engine of this offense.
The hands are clean, the play strength at the catch point stands out, and everything thrown his way seems to stick. He’s looking more and more like one of the better wide receiver prospects for next spring’s NFL Draft, and he’s playing like a possible first-team All-ACC receiver.
Billy Edwards Jr.’s stat line looks decent enough at first glance - 18-of-26 for 249 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions - but it doesn’t tell the full story. He struggled to read Pittsburgh’s secondary, especially against pre-snap disguises and post-snap rotations, and some of the decisions were costly.
When nothing was there, Edwards looked hesitant. He drifted out of the pocket instead of staying composed, and on a third down in the fourth quarter he failed to throw the ball away before taking the second interception. That leaves a real quarterback question heading into next week’s game against Duke.
In Other News...
Kaleb Cost Injury Overshadowed UNC Win For One Scary Reason
UNCs 21-17 win at Pittsburgh came with an unsettling scene late in the game when defensive back Kaleb Cost went down after colliding with a concrete wall behind the end zone. The impact sent his helmet flying into the crowd, turning a routine football play into a scary moment for everyone nearby and briefly overshadowing what should have been a hard-earned road victory for the Tar Heels.
Cost had to leave with trainers and was ruled out after the injury, but the concern did not stop with the player on the field. Medical personnel also assisted a fan who appeared to be struck by the helmet, adding another layer of worry to an already alarming sequence that left UNC with a win, and a lot of unease, to sort through afterward. [Read more 🡒]
UNC Finally Has Momentum But Two Problems Still Havent Gone Away
North Carolina finally had something to feel good about after snapping a two-game skid with a 21-17 win over Pittsburgh, a result that offered a much-needed reset after a rough stretch. The Tar Heels got timely plays on both sides of the ball, with Shipp leading the offense with six catches for 93 yards and Smith and Geriner each coming up with interceptions to help tilt a close game their way.
Even with the victory, the bigger concerns around this team did not disappear. The rushing attack still struggled to generate much, and the defense had its own issues against the Panthers on the ground, allowing 150 rushing yards that kept Pittsburgh in the game far longer than North Carolina probably wanted. The win provides momentum, but it also leaves the same questions hanging over the Tar Heels as they move ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Isaiah Denis Just Gave UNC Fans A Reason To Reconsider Him
Isaiah Denis spent much of last season on the margins because of injury, but his showing in UNCs exhibition win offered a reminder of why the staff has kept investing in him. In 20 minutes under new coach Michael Malone, Denis scored 14 points, grabbed four rebounds and knocked down two 3-pointers, giving the Tar Heels a burst of production from a player whose role has been far from settled.
Denis said the game carried extra weight for him, and his performance seemed to reflect a player trying to answer questions about where he fits in the programs future. Malones trust and coaching style were part of the equation, and he also praised Denis for his development and for sticking with the team through coaching changes, a small but meaningful sign of buy-in as UNC settles into a new era. [Read more 🡒]