Gbayor Named ACC Linebacker Of The Week

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – North Carolina's Mikai Gbayor earned Atlantic Coast Conference Linebacker of the Week honors after helping the Tar Heel defense keep its opponent out of the end zone for the second consecutive game.

Gbayor tallied six tackles in the UNC's 41-6 victory against Richmond on Saturday. He recorded a strip sack in the third quarter, which led to Carolina's first takeaway of the day, as teammate Melkart Abou-Jaoude recovered the fumble.

The Irvington, New Jersey, native recovered a fumble in the fourth quarter and returned it 62 yards for his first collegiate touchdown. After teammate CJ Mims forced the ball out with an initial hit, Gbayor was there to retrieve it raced down the sidelines to extend North Carolina's lead to 34-3.

It marked Carolina's first fumble return for a touchdown since 2021, when Trey Morrison scored against Duke.

With Gbayor helping lead the way, the Tar Heel defense has now held its opponent without a touchdown in consecutive games – the first such stretch since 2012.

ACC weekly honors are selected by a vote of a media panel.

North Carolina returns to action this weekend at UCF. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. on FOX from Acrisure Bounce House.

Players Mentioned

Melkart Abou Jaoude

Mikai Gbayor

CJ Mims