North Carolina walked off the field Saturday night with a loss, but not without making the No. 1 team in the country sweat for it. The Tar Heels pushed Miami to the edge in a 38-35 defeat at home, leading at multiple points and hanging around until the very end.
For Bill Belichick, it was maybe the clearest sign yet that this team has taken real steps forward this fall. UNC didn’t just show up against the top-ranked Hurricanes - it matched them for long stretches, played tough defense, and put together offensive drives that forced Miami to work for every inch. Falling short still hurts, but this one looked and felt different.
Billy Edwards Jr. was right in the middle of it all. He put together a huge passing night, finishing 28 of 34 for 341 yards and four touchdowns, and for a while it looked like he was on his way to a statement performance that would quiet plenty of noise. But the same issue kept showing up: he held the ball too long, didn’t sense pressure well enough, and got stripped and sacked, which set up a Miami touchdown on the next defensive series.
That moment fit a frustrating pattern. Edwards has now been part of costly mistakes in games like the loss to Syracuse last week and earlier against Clemson. The taped pinky might be affecting his grip or some of his throws, but the bigger issue keeps surfacing no matter the explanation.
Even with that ending, North Carolina had plenty to feel good about. The Tar Heels gave Miami a real scare before the Hurricanes head to South Bend for their showdown with Notre Dame next week, and UNC did it by staying disciplined on offense and making the Hurricanes defend the full field.
Bobby Petrino deserves credit for that side of it. He found ways to attack Miami down the seam and get his playmakers moving in space, with Jelani Thurman, Trech Kekahuna, Jaylen McGill, Demon June, and Jordan Shipp all getting involved. Some drives were fast strikes, while others were methodical possessions that chewed up clock and kept Miami from settling in.
There were strong individual efforts all over the field. June and McGill were dangerous as pass-catchers out of the backfield.
Thurman showed off his talent on a national stage. Kaleb Cost stood out in the slot against Malachi Toney.
Peyton Seelmann finished with nine tackles and a sack on Darian Mensah.
The finish, though, came down to special teams chaos after a late Edwards touchdown pulled UNC closer. The Tar Heels went for the onside kick, and the first attempt appeared to be recovered by Coleman Bryson before an offside call on the kickoff team wiped it out. Bryson then recovered the rekick, but an illegal block erased that one too, and Miami ended up recovering the second rekick to seal the win.
UNC didn’t get the upset, but the performance should still leave the Tar Heels with real confidence. After weeks of searching for consistency beyond the opening drive, they finally put together a steady offensive showing against one of the best teams in the country. That’s something to build on as they head to UConn next week.
In Other News...
Belichick Brings Another Off-Field Distraction To North Carolina
Bill Belichicks arrival in Chapel Hill has already brought plenty of attention, and now theres another layer to the off-field conversation around North Carolina. According to sources close to Jordon Hudson, the two reportedly ended their relationship late last year, even though they have remained close friends and continued their business partnerships.
The pair has still been seen together publicly this year, which has only kept the spotlight on a relationship that drew notice in the first place because of their age difference. For the Tar Heels, it is another reminder that Belichicks presence is going to come with plenty of scrutiny beyond the football field. [Read more 🡒]
Philip Rivers Could Change The Carolina Rivalry In A Way Fans Hate
Philip Rivers has surfaced in the kind of rumor that instantly grabs attention across the Triangle, because the former NC State quarterback is now being linked to the Wolfpacks opening after Dave Doerens firing. Rivers is currently coaching at a high school in Alabama, and he has already acknowledged the chatter while making clear there is nothing concrete yet, but even the possibility is enough to stir up old memories and fresh debate.
For North Carolina fans, the idea carries an extra edge because Rivers is not just a former Wolfpack star, he is one of the most recognizable figures ever tied to the rivalry. The discussion has also brought up his connections to former teammates and what a hire like this could mean for NC States direction, but for now it remains exactly that, a conversation without an official decision. [Read more 🡒]
UNC Still Has One Big Roster Concern Before No. 1 Miami
North Carolinas Friday night availability report brought a little clarity ahead of its matchup with No. 1 Miami, and a little more uncertainty too. Five Tar Heels are still ruled out, while four others are listed as questionable, leaving the staff to sort through a roster picture that is still very much in flux as kickoff approaches.
There was one bit of good news for the Tar Heels, with defensive lineman Zavion Griffin-Haynes now considered available. Miami will also be short-handed, with six players out for the game, but the biggest update for UNC may still be coming later, when the final availability report is released two hours before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]