Timir Hickman-Collins walked into Saturday’s game against UConn without an interception on his college ledger. By the time it was over, he had one pick, one touchdown, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery - a full defensive takeover that now comes with ACC recognition.
Hickman-Collins was named ACC Linebacker of the Week after his huge afternoon against the Huskies, and the honor fits. He was around the football all game, showing up in the biggest moments and changing the shape of the contest.
The signature play came in the first quarter, when he jumped a UConn pass and took it 62 yards for a touchdown. It was the first interception of his collegiate career, and he turned it into six points in a hurry. For UNC, it was exactly the kind of early jolt a defense can give an offense and the rest of the sideline.
He wasn’t done there. Hickman-Collins also forced a fumble and recovered another, giving him three turnover-related plays in one afternoon. For a Tar Heel defense that has had its struggles this season, that kind of production stands out even more.
This wasn’t just a flashy stat line. Hickman-Collins kept putting himself in position to make things happen, and that’s what made the performance so complete.
Big plays are one thing. Repeatedly creating them is another.
For Bill Belichick and UNC, the hope is that this outing can serve as a turning point for a defense looking for more consistency. For Hickman-Collins, it’s a day that will be tough to top.
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UNCs UConn Snap Counts Revealed A Few Clear Rotation Shifts
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Among the players drawing attention were Kekahuna, Jordan Shipp, Jelani Thurman and linebacker Seelmann, all of whom stood out in the snap-count review for different reasons. The numbers also pointed to a few transfers and freshmen who had limited impact or playing time, a reminder that the depth chart is still very much being sorted out as North Carolina heads into the stretch run. [Read more 🡒]
UNC Is One Win Away But This Tar Heels Concern Remains
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Even with the win and enough defensive contributions to keep UConn from making it a full-blown shootout, the Tar Heels still came away with a familiar concern hanging over them. A few players underperformed, and the kind of uneven stretches that have shown up at times this season were still part of the conversation, leaving UNC with a little work to do before it can turn this push into a bowl berth. [Read more 🡒]
Belichick May Be Getting A New In-State Rival Tar Heels Fans Know Well
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Bill Belichick has seen Rivers up close before, meeting him multiple times in the NFL, and the North Carolina coach has already weighed in on the longtime quarterbacks competitiveness. For UNC, the potential move would add another layer to a matchup that is never short on emotion, especially if Rivers makes the leap from the high school sideline to the college ranks in a place where he already means something to the fan base. [Read more 🡒]