Bill Belichick was facing plenty of off-field attention as his North Carolina Tar Heels prepared to host the No. 1 Miami Hurricanes in Chapel Hill. A report said the 74-year-old and 25-year-old Jordon Hudson had ended their relationship more than a year ago. They are said to remain close friends and committed to their business partnerships.
Once the game began, though, UNC had a more immediate concern: trying to keep pace with Miami. The Tar Heels came close to an upset but faded late, losing 38-35. UNC fell to 4-4, while Miami remained unbeaten at 8-0 and 6-0 in ACC play.
Few expected Belichick’s team to seriously challenge Mario Cristobal’s Hurricanes. But UNC quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. matched Miami’s Darian Mensah for much of the afternoon. Edwards completed 28 of 34 passes for 341 yards and four touchdowns, including a 16-yard throw to Jordan Shipp that gave the Tar Heels their first lead, 21-17, in the third quarter.
The teams traded scores from there. Miami put together an 80-yard drive to move back in front, 24-21, but UNC answered with a 16-play, 75-yard march that ended with Demon June scoring on a one-yard run.
Miami responded again. Mensah helped guide another touchdown drive, with a 31-yard catch-and-run by Malachi Toney among the key plays. Mark Fletcher Jr. finished it with a two-yard touchdown run, putting the Hurricanes ahead with 7:49 remaining.
UNC still appeared to have a chance if it could get the ball back late. That possibility took a major hit when Marquise Lightfoot strip-sacked Edwards, and Miami recovered at the Tar Heels’ 37-yard line.
Mensah made the turnover count, connecting with Toney for a nine-yard touchdown. Miami led by 10 with 2:33 to go, though UNC wasn’t quite finished. Edwards threw his fourth touchdown of the game with 1:38 left to bring the Tar Heels closer.
UNC then recovered an onside kick, but an offsides penalty wiped out the play. The Tar Heels recovered on their next attempt, too, only for another penalty to negate it after a player made contact with a Miami player before the ball had traveled the required 10 yards. Miami secured the third attempt and ran out the clock.
Mensah finished with 274 passing yards and three touchdown passes, along with 36 rushing yards. Toney caught seven passes for 75 yards and scored twice, while Fletcher accounted for three touchdowns.
