North Carolina’s 38-35 loss to Miami on Halloween night came with a twist in how the Tar Heels used their personnel. The offense was on the field for 67 snaps, the defense for 63, and that split helped tell the story of who was featured, who was limited, and who kept their usual workload.
One of the biggest positives for UNC was getting offensive lineman Threatt back in the mix. He had been injured in Week 8, which made his availability a question entering Saturday. The Charleston Southern transfer answered that question by playing 63 snaps, a major development for a unit that needed him on the field.
On the defensive side, Smith never came off the field. He played all 63 snaps and finished with six total tackles, a modest number for that kind of workload, but he remained one of the most reliable players on the roster.
The Tar Heels’ ground game never really got going against Miami. Demon June, Benjamin Hall and Jaylen McGill combined for just 64 yards on 21 carries, and none of the backs topped 30 snaps. June led the group with 29, McGill had 27, and Hall finished with 14.
Hall’s spot behind the other backs stood out, especially since he had recently returned from injury. Even so, the game script pushed UNC away from the run and into a pass-heavy approach as the teams traded scores.
Harvey’s role was also notable. The Penn State transfer has been one of North Carolina’s most important portal additions, but his value on run downs remains limited. He played 44 snaps, which was 22 more than Donovan Hoilette Jr.
The 6-foot-2, 245-pound edge rusher finished with four total tackles and generated multiple pressures in the first quarter, though he never got home for a sack.
Among the receivers, Kekahuna made the most of his 37 snaps. He caught three passes for 57 yards and a touchdown, and that snap total still ranked among the highest for UNC’s wideouts. Jordan Shipp was on the field for all 67 offensive snaps.
Kekahuna’s role has grown over the last three games, a stretch in which he has posted nine catches for 132 yards and one touchdown. His connection with Edwards Jr. has also developed, and that could matter as the season moves forward.
In Other News...
UNC Just Landed An In-State QB Fans Will Be Watching Closely
North Carolina got an early jump on its 2028 class with the commitment of four-star quarterback Levi Kerr, a highly regarded in-state prospect from Marvin Ridge High School. The 6-foot-5, 200-pound signal-caller becomes the first player to join the Tar Heels next wave of recruits, giving the program an early foundation at the most important position on the field.
Kerr had drawn interest from multiple major programs, but UNC made a strong enough impression during two visits to land his pledge. For a staff trying to build momentum on the trail, securing one of the top quarterbacks in his class this early is a notable start, even if the bigger question now is how the Tar Heels keep building around him. [Read more 🡒]
Belichick Just Highlighted UNCs Toughest Roster-Building Problem
Bill Belichick used a recent press conference to put a spotlight on one of the biggest challenges facing North Carolina as it tries to build and manage a roster in the new era of college football. The Carolina coach drew a clear contrast between the NFLs contract structure and college footballs revenue-sharing setup, pointing to the difference in how each system is organized and explained.
Belichick said college football still lacks the kind of transparency that comes with the NFLs collective bargaining agreement, and he framed the current setup as something still taking shape. He also noted that pending legislation could bring more changes to the sport, a reminder that roster-building now comes with as much uncertainty off the field as it does on it. [Read more 🡒]
UNCs Offense Showed Up Against No. 1 But One Problem Loomed
For a team that needed its offense to answer a heavyweight, North Carolina got exactly that in a 38-35 loss to No. 1 Miami. Jelani Thurman and Billy Edwards, Jr. helped keep the Tar Heels in striking distance, and Bobby Petrinos offensive plan gave UNC enough rhythm and punch to make the game feel winnable deep into the night.
The problem was on the other side of the ball, where Miami kept finding the answers when it mattered most. The Hurricanes turned key third- and fourth-down chances into the kind of drives that separate a close game from a comeback, leaving North Carolina with more proof that its offense can travel against elite competition, but also a reminder that the defense still has to hold up its end. [Read more 🡒]