North Carolina got the result it needed in Week 10, and the snap counts help explain how the Tar Heels pulled away.
With four games left, a two-game skid behind them and a 4-4 record hanging over the season, UNC had to answer against UConn. It did, beating the Huskies 38-21 and moving a step closer to bowl eligibility. The Tar Heels’ offense logged 76 snaps, while the defense was on the field for 67.
One of the clearest usage notes came at wide receiver. Wisconsin transfer Kekahuna didn’t pile up much production - four catches for 29 yards - but he still played 49 snaps, second-most among UNC receivers behind Jordan Shipp.
Over the last few weeks, Kekahuna has worked his way into the WR2 spot in this offense, though he remains behind Shipp and Jelani Thurman. Even so, the junior receiver is still a key piece of what North Carolina wants to do on offense.
On the defensive side, Penn State transfer Harvey continued to see heavy usage, playing 52 snaps. The box score was quiet: two total tackles.
His impact as a pass rusher and against the run has been underwhelming lately, even as UNC’s defensive line created more pressure on the quarterback. The Tar Heels need more from him in that area in the weeks ahead.
Seelmann, meanwhile, kept cementing his place as one of the team’s most dependable players. The former Richmond linebacker was on the field for 63 snaps against UConn, and he backed that workload with nine total tackles, two sacks and two tackles for loss. He’s become one of the ACC’s leading tacklers, and there’s no real reason to take him off the field.
Hall also made the most of his chances. He played just 25 snaps, but still finished with 81 rushing yards and a touchdown, plus four catches for 26 yards. That came on 13 total touches, a good reminder of how dangerous he can be if North Carolina gives him a true three-down role.
At cornerback, Willie’s role has continued to shrink since his transfer from Michigan State. He played only five snaps Saturday, while freshman Kenton Dopson III was on the field for 20. That’s not a knock on Dopson III, who arrived with top-cornerback-recruit status, but Willie was supposed to be a major piece in the secondary, and that hasn’t been the case this season.
In Other News...
Tar Heels Have Plenty To Process After Brutal South Carolina Reality Check
North Carolina got a harsh early-season measuring stick at the 2026 Ally Tipoff in Charlotte, and the gap between the Tar Heels and No. 1 South Carolina was plain from the opening minutes. No. 12 UNC trailed throughout in an 84-39 loss, a result that left the Tar Heels with plenty to sort through after running into a team that has now beaten them five straight times.
There were still a few individual bright spots in the lopsided defeat. Nyla Brooks led North Carolina with 13 points and four three-pointers, while Kate Harpring pulled down a career-best seven rebounds as the Tar Heels tried to keep themselves in the game. Even so, the bigger takeaway was the same one South Carolina has been delivering in this matchup for years: North Carolina still has work to do before it can close that kind of gap. [Read more 🡒]
Tar Heels Face A Quick Gut Check With Duke Suddenly Next
North Carolina volleyball ran into a buzz saw Friday night, falling to No. 2 Pitt in straight sets as the Panthers controlled the match from the opening whistle. The Tar Heels got contributions from Safi Hampton, Chelsea Thorpe, Bridget Malone, Laynie Smith and Meghan Clifford, but Pitt kept Carolina at arms length throughout a 20-25, 14-25, 19-25 loss that served as a reminder of the gap between a ranked contender and one of the nations elite teams.
Now the focus shifts quickly to a rivalry stretch that could help Carolina reset in a hurry. Duke is next on the schedule twice, with the first meeting set for Nov. 12 and the rematch coming Nov. 15, giving the Tar Heels an immediate chance to respond and steady themselves after a difficult night against Pitt. [Read more 🡒]
Tar Heels Just Landed A Massive ACC Statement Against Clemson
North Carolina kept its postseason run rolling with one of its biggest results of the year, knocking off No. 3 Clemson 3-2 in double overtime to move on to the ACC Championship semifinals. The Tar Heels had to survive a tense, back-and-forth match that was level 2-2 after regulation, but they kept their composure deep into the extra periods and found the finish they needed when the game was hanging in the balance.
Luca Nikolai delivered the decisive penalty in the 106th minute, capping a win that extended North Carolinas unbeaten streak to 10 matches. It also snapped Clemsons 11-match unbeaten run, a result that should resonate well beyond this tournament bracket as the Tar Heels continue to build momentum at exactly the right time. [Read more 🡒]