North Carolina’s football program might have lost 37-26 to Notre Dame last weekend, but don’t let that final score fool you. Inside Kenan Stadium, the Tar Heels hung tough with a National Championship contender for three quarters, exceeding just about everyone’s expectations. Get this: UNC scored a ridiculous 26 points on the Fighting Irish, more than any other opponent Notre Dame has faced all season. Yeah, you read that right.
Tar Heels’ Offense Is Cooking, Even In Loss
The Heels were not just scoring, they were doing it consistently, punching in a touchdown in every single quarter. They even jumped out to a 7-0 lead right off the bat, showing they weren’t backing down. On top of that, they added two more passing touchdowns and a kick-six against a team that came into the game 5-0. That’s a seriously encouraging sign for an offense that has clearly taken a massive leap from 2025. This squad has a new big-play ability, and it’s thanks to more weapons spread across the roster.
We’re talking about running backs Benjamin Hall and Demon June, who are proving to be a nightmare for defenses. Out wide, Jordan Shipp and Jelani Thurman are leading a much deeper receiving corps. And then there’s Billy Edwards at quarterback, flashing moments of being a really strong signal-caller. Even the offensive line, which is still a work in progress, held strong against Notre Dame’s tough front, only giving up one sack all game. That’s huge when you’re going against a defensive powerhouse. Right now, North Carolina sits at 2-2 overall and 0-1 in the ACC, but the way they played against the Irish gives you a ton of hope.
Pitt Is Next, And The Keys To An Upset Are Crystal Clear
Now, the Tar Heels have to take that show on the road this Saturday at 12 p.m., heading into Acrisure Stadium to face another ranked opponent in Pitt. The Panthers are rolling at 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the ACC, fresh off surviving a last-second field goal attempt against Virginia Tech. Pitt’s defense is absolutely formidable, holding opponents to just 13.4 points and under 300 yards per game. Sounds tough, right? Well, here’s the kicker: Virginia Tech still managed to rack up 499 yards against them. Pitt has beaten some decent Power Four teams in UCF and Syracuse, but they also blew out Miami (OH) and Bucknell, so their stats might be a little padded.
UNC’s offensive line is about to face another monster in Pitt’s pass rush, which has piled up 12 sacks in just five games. So, what do the Tar Heels need to do to grab a second upset win in five games?
First, they absolutely cannot turn the football over. Billy Edwards threw a pair of early interceptions against Notre Dame, and the Fighting Irish scored off both of those mistakes. Take those away, and we’re looking at a different game. Edwards also threw three touchdowns, showing no fear, but if he and the rest of the team can play turnover-free football against Pitt, who forced four turnovers against Virginia Tech, that’s a massive step towards a win.
Second, the running game has to get going. With Benjamin Hall and Demon June, UNC has a deep running back room, and a strong ground game is crucial. They only ran for 77 yards on 23 carries against Notre Dame, with no explosive plays. Pitt, ironically, only allows 55.6 rushing yards per game, which is the second-best mark in the entire country. That’s a huge challenge, but finding even the smallest ways to get those backs moving will open up everything else.
Finally, keep feeding Jordan Shipp. He was already UNC’s top receiver coming into the Notre Dame game, and against that tough defense, he exploded for a career-high 109 receiving yards. Get that man the ball.
It’s going to be a battle, but if UNC can clean up the mistakes, get the run game established, and keep their top receiver involved, they’ve got a real shot to walk out of Acrisure Stadium with a much-needed victory against a very good Pitt team this Saturday. Let’s see if this offense can keep the fireworks going!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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