University of North Carolina Athletics
Lewis, Miller Earn ACC Football Weekly Honors
October 12, 2026 | Football
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -Â North Carolina sophomore Xavier Lewis has been named ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week for the second time this season, while redshirt junior Tre Miller has been selected as the ACC Defensive Back of the Week, the conference office announced Monday.
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Lewis recorded another standout performance, tallying a career-high 11 tackles and adding a half sack to help lead the Tar Heels to a 21-17 win at No. 25 Pitt on Saturday. His 11 tackles surpassed his previous career high of seven, achieved in the season opener against TCU.Â
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Through five games, Lewis has totaled 9.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks on the season. His 1.90 tackles for loss per game rank second nationally and lead the ACC, while his 1.30 sacks per game rank fourth nationally and first in the conference.
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The Rolesville, North Carolina, native also earned ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors following the TCU game on Aug. 31.
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Miller turned in his best performance as a Tar Heel, recording four tackles, two pass breakups and his first career interception, which he returned for 18 yards. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Miller allowed just two yards on four targets, earning a 91.0 coverage grade and an 89.4 overall defensive grade, both of which were the highest among players on either team.
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He played 53 of UNC's 86 defensive snaps and helped the Carolina defense hold Pitt to 0-for-4 on fourth down in the second half and just 2.4 yards per rush.
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Miller was also named to PFF's National Team of the Week and ACC Team of the Week.
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Carolina's defensive effort helped secure the program's first road win over a ranked opponent since 2020 and its first victory against a ranked opponent since 2023. The win also marked head coach Bill Belichick's first victory over a ranked opponent at North Carolina.
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UNC returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 17, against Duke. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. on ESPN2 from Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium.
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Lewis recorded another standout performance, tallying a career-high 11 tackles and adding a half sack to help lead the Tar Heels to a 21-17 win at No. 25 Pitt on Saturday. His 11 tackles surpassed his previous career high of seven, achieved in the season opener against TCU.Â
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Through five games, Lewis has totaled 9.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks on the season. His 1.90 tackles for loss per game rank second nationally and lead the ACC, while his 1.30 sacks per game rank fourth nationally and first in the conference.
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The Rolesville, North Carolina, native also earned ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors following the TCU game on Aug. 31.
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Miller turned in his best performance as a Tar Heel, recording four tackles, two pass breakups and his first career interception, which he returned for 18 yards. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Miller allowed just two yards on four targets, earning a 91.0 coverage grade and an 89.4 overall defensive grade, both of which were the highest among players on either team.
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He played 53 of UNC's 86 defensive snaps and helped the Carolina defense hold Pitt to 0-for-4 on fourth down in the second half and just 2.4 yards per rush.
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Miller was also named to PFF's National Team of the Week and ACC Team of the Week.
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Carolina's defensive effort helped secure the program's first road win over a ranked opponent since 2020 and its first victory against a ranked opponent since 2023. The win also marked head coach Bill Belichick's first victory over a ranked opponent at North Carolina.
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UNC returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 17, against Duke. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. on ESPN2 from Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium.
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Players Mentioned
Defensive Line
/ Football
Defensive Back
/ FootballMonday, October 12
Monday, October 12
Monday, October 12
Monday, October 12