UNC walked out of its 38-35 loss to Miami with a lot more than a final score to sort through, because this one was about far more than one broken play or one disputed call. The Tar Heels had the No. 1 team in the country on the ropes, and for long stretches they looked like a team that had found something real on offense. That’s the part worth sitting with.
There’s no need to turn this into an officiating debate. Yes, there was the pass interference call.
Yes, there were the flags on the onside kicks. But Carolina still scored after the PI call, and the bigger truth is simpler: they put themselves in a position where those moments mattered because they were right there at the end.
And if you want the clearest evidence of how far this offense has come, start with Billy Edwards, Jr. He played the best game of his career, and it wasn’t close.
Against the top-ranked team in the country, he threw for 341 yards and four touchdowns, kept finding answers, and looked like a sixth-year quarterback who knew exactly where the defense was vulnerable. The Tar Heels needed every bit of that.
Jelani Thurman was right there with him. He finished with five catches and two touchdowns, including a spectacular grab on a great throw from Edwards.
At this point, the production is impossible to dismiss as a fluke. Even with defenses keying on him, he kept making plays on the biggest stage he’ll see all season.
He’s draft eligible after this year, so there’s a real decision coming between NIL money and the next level. Either way, Bobby Petrino deserves a thank-you.
Petrino belongs in the win column too. You could have rolled your eyes at the hire in the offseason and called it another retread getting a second chance from the Belichick administration.
Instead, the difference between this offense and last year’s version has been dramatic. He had Miami guessing all night, and the Hurricanes never really solved what Carolina was doing.
That’s what makes the ending sting even more. Edwards also lands in the loss column because of the fumble, and there’s no way around it.
By that point in the game, every possession was precious. He missed an easy throw, held the ball too long, and should have just taken the sack.
Greg McElroy went after the decision hard on the broadcast, and for good reason. It cost UNC the game, and Edwards knows it.
Petrino gets dinged there too, because the late-game sequence before the onside kick didn’t help. With 1:45 left, Carolina had first and 10 at the 16 and ran the ball out of the shotgun to McGill.
Miami read it, made the stop, and forced Bill Belichick to burn one of his last two timeouts. In hindsight, that was a spot where the Heels could have used a timeout in their pocket later, especially once Miami finally recovered the onside kick.
The surprise run made more sense earlier, when there was more time and more room to work.
The defense also goes in the loss column, even if this wasn’t just a UNC problem. Miami converted 6 of 11 third downs and went a perfect 2 for 2 on fourth down.
Carolina couldn’t contain Darian Mensah, who finished with 274 passing yards and 36 rushing yards. That 36 on the ground may have hurt just as much as what he did through the air.
After Edwards’ fumble, the Tar Heels needed a stop and didn’t get one. Miami rolled.
Still, the Hurricanes shouldn’t get too comfortable either. UNC actually outdid Miami on third downs, finishing 8 of 11. And while Edwards’ second touchdown to Thurman was a beautiful throw, it also raised the obvious question of how Thurman was able to slip by three defenders and end up that open in the end zone.
There were other bright spots beyond the two headliners. Demon June, Jaylen McGill, and Benjamin Hall all had strong nights for Carolina.
Hall’s return and touchdown were especially welcome. The trio combined for just 69 rushing yards, but those were hard-earned yards, and none of them lost yardage on a carry.
Even more encouraging, they combined for 109 receiving yards, showing how dangerous they can be out of the backfield.
Jordan Shipp mostly was kept in check, but he still came down with a terrific touchdown catch and drew praise from McDonough during the broadcast. Trech Kekahuna added the other touchdown catch and found plenty of space to work with. It was a very good night for the offense overall.
The defense, though, is another story.
UNC now turns to Connecticut next Saturday for the last non-conference game of the season, trying to snap a two-game losing streak. The question is simple: was Saturday a painful near-miss, or the start of something better on offense?
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
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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 🡒]
Belichick Just Pulled UNC Deeper Into An Off-Field Distraction
Bill Belichicks first days around North Carolina have already drawn plenty of attention, and not all of it has been about football. During a recent press interaction, Belichick declined to answer questions about his personal relationship with Jordon Hudson, instead stressing that he would keep private matters private. The exchange came as the Tar Heels continue to navigate the spotlight that follows any Belichick-related storyline.
TMZ reported that Belichick and Hudson ended their relationship late last year, but a WRAL journalist noted there is little evidence of a breakup and that Hudson remains involved with the North Carolina football program. For a team trying to settle into a new era, the uncertainty only adds another layer to an already closely watched situation, even as Belichick tries to steer the focus back where he wants it. [Read more 🡒]