UNC Football Falls to Miami After Tar Heel Nation Sees Fight in Close Contest

Miami strikes first, UNC responds

Miami scored a touchdown on its opening drive. North Carolina moved beyond midfield on its first possession, but a third-down sack stopped the drive and trainers checked on quarterback Billy Edwards Jr.

The Tar Heels’ defensive line pressured Darian Mensah, forcing him out of the pocket and helping North Carolina make Miami punt on its second drive. After Edwards missed his first two throws, he completed nine straight passes for 95 yards and a touchdown.

North Carolina put together an 11-play, 84-yard drive, capped by Edwards’ eight-yard touchdown pass to Jelani Thurman. The teams were tied 7-7 with 11:50 left in the second quarter.

Tar Heels keep pace

After halftime, Edwards completed five passes for 71 yards on North Carolina’s opening drive, including a 16-yard touchdown throw to Jordan Shipp. The Tar Heels moved ahead 21-17.

A pass interference call against cornerback Jaiden Patterson on third-and-one drew an angry protest from coach Bill Belichick, according to the account. Miami scored on the next play, and North Carolina later answered with a one-yard touchdown run by June to take a 28-24 lead early in the fourth quarter.

Late turnover shifts momentum

With a little more than five minutes remaining, North Carolina trailed by three and had a chance to move in front. Edwards stepped right while under pressure, was sacked and fumbled.

Miami recovered inside the Tar Heels’ 40-yard line. North Carolina ultimately fell to Miami, despite leading in the fourth quarter and keeping the game close through a series of scoring exchanges.