UNC Football’s 4 Winners and 2 Losers After Victory Over UConn—and What It Means for Bowl Hopes

A win restores momentum

The Tar Heels stopped a two-game skid by defeating the UConn Huskies 38-21 in Week 10. North Carolina is now one victory away from qualifying for a bowl game, after earlier missed opportunities left postseason play uncertain.

The report says a bowl appearance is the minimum North Carolina needs if Belichick hopes to retain his job in 2027. It frames the win as an important step toward both postseason eligibility and the team’s broader goals.

Hall helps steady offense

Billy Edwards Jr. struggled early, and North Carolina had trouble sustaining drives. Hall broke through with a 39-yard touchdown run on third down in the second quarter, a play the report describes as a turning point.

Jaylen McGill and Demon June had taken the field before Hall, but the coaching staff later relied on Hall as a runner and as an option on check-downs. His emergence helped the Tar Heels secure the win.

Thurman and defense deliver

Tight end Jelani Thurman scored twice, bringing his season total to seven and eight touchdowns, respectively, according to the report. His work in the flat and intermediate areas has been a feature of the offense throughout the season.

A fourth-down sequence helped North Carolina seize control. After an illegal formation penalty on the Tar Heels’ defense, UConn returned its offense to the field; Kalieb Osborne’s pass was intercepted, and Hickman-Collins returned it 62 yards for a touchdown.

Concerns remain on both sides

North Carolina’s front four continued to struggle to pressure opposing quarterbacks and contain the run. UConn was the latest opponent to rush for more than 100 yards. McGill started as the first Tar Heels running back to enter the game, but averaged under 2.5 yards per carry. Across the previous two games, he had 12 carries for 27 yards, and the report says his playing time and role could shrink in the season’s final weeks.