University of North Carolina Athletics
Saturday, October 10
Pittsburgh, Pa. (Acrisure Stadium)
Noon
North Carolina
at
#25 Pitt
Football Travels To No. 25 Pitt This Weekend
October 8, 2026 | Football
First And Ten
• Carolina is in its 136th season of football (139th year) in 2026 and the Tar Heels own an all-time record of 757-586-54.
• For the second consecutive week, UNC will face a ranked opponent, as the Tar Heels travel to No. 25 Pittsburgh to take on the Panthers at noon Saturday at Acrisure Stadium. Saturday's game will air live on ESPN with Tom Hart (PxP), Roddy Jones (Analyst) and Quint Kessenich (Sideline) on the call.
• Carolina head coach Bill Belichick owns an 8-3 record as a head coach at Acrisure Stadium dating back to his time in the NFL. It will be his first time back in the stadium since earning a 21-18 win on Dec. 7, 2023.
• In its last outing, UNC dropped a hard-fought battle with No. 3 Notre Dame, 37-26, at Kenan Stadium.
• Carolina's tight ends were featured heavily in the contest, as Shamar Easter reeled in his first career touchdown on the opening drive of the game and Jelani Thurman caught the next two offensive touchdowns for the Tar Heels.
• Wide receiver Jordan Shipp also had a big game against the Fighting Irish, tallying a career-high 109 receiving yards on seven receptions to log his first career 100-yard game.
• Freshman Jaden Jefferson was named ACC Specialist of the Week on Monday, after returning a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown in Saturday's game on Jefferson's first career touch. He's one of two ACC players with a kickoff return for a touchdown this season.
• The Tar Heels lead the nation in fewest penalty yards through four games this season with only 115 yards yielded to opponents on 16 penalties.
• Carolina's red zone defense has been stout this season, as the Tar Heels rank 10th nationally with a 69.2 scoring percentage. Opponents have made 13 trips to the red zone and have scored five touchdowns with four field goals.
• Sophomore Xavier Lewis is ranked second nationally in tackles for loss per game with 2.13 and is third in the country in sacks per game with 1.50 through Carolina's first four games this season. Lewis has six sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss in total this season.
A Win Over Pitt Would…
• Give the Tar Heels their first ranked win since defeating No. 25 Miami, 41-31, in 2023.
• Give Carolina its first ranked road win since taking down No. 9 Miami, 62-26, in 2020.
• Give UNC its second consecutive win against Pitt at Acrisure Stadium.
• Be head coach Bill Belichick's first ranked win at Carolina.
• Be Carolina's 758th all-time victory in program history.
Carolina Versus Ranked Teams
• For the second consecutive week, Carolina will face a team ranked among the latest Associated Press Top 25 Poll, as the Panthers check in at No. 25.
• It marks the first time since the Tar Heels have played consecutive ranked opponents since 2022 when UNC faced 10th-ranked Clemson in the ACC Championship and No. 15 Oregon in the Union Holiday Bowl.
• The last time Carolina played back-to-back ranked opponents during the regular season was the 2021 season when the Tar Heels faced No. 10 Wake Forest and No. 25 Pitt in consecutive weeks.
• Carolina is looking for its first ranked win since 2023 when the program defeated No. 25 Miami, 41-31, and its first ranked road win since taking down ninth-ranked Miami,62-26, in Coral Gables on Dec. 12, 2020.
Last Time Versus Pitt
• North Carolina and Pitt last met during the 2024 season when the Panthers earned a 34-24 victory in Chapel Hill.
• Pittsburgh outscored North Carolina, 10-0, in the fourth quarter to beat the Tar Heels in a back-and-forth game at Kenan Stadium.
• Omarion Hampton rushed 23 times for 106 yards and a touchdown for Carolina, and Jacolby Criswell completed 24 of 45 passing attempts for 269 yards and a TD. Nate McCollum caught 10 passes for 128 yards.
• Pitt quarterback Eli Holstein was 25-for-42 for 381 yards and three scores. Desmond Reid caught 11 passes for 155 yards and a TD for the Panthers.
Last Time Versus Pitt At Acrisure Stadium
• Drake Maye threw for a touchdown and ran for two more as 17th-ranked North Carolina beat Pittsburgh, 41-24, in its first road game of 2023 and first ACC matchup of that season on Sept. 23.
• Alijah Huzzie also starred for the Tar Heels, tallying two interceptions and a punt return touchdown.
• UNC outscored the Panthers, 34-17, in the second and third quarters to seize control of what had been a close game in the early portions of the first half.
Jefferson Named ACC Specialist Of The Week
• After scoring the Tar Heels' first kickoff return for a touchdown since 2024, North Carolina freshman Jaden Jefferson has been named the ACC Specialist of the Week, the conference office announced Monday.
• On his first collegiate touch, Jefferson returned the opening kickoff of the second half 98 yards for a touchdown, providing an immediate spark for the Tar Heels. He weaved through a crowd of players early in the return before finding the sideline and racing to the end zone.
• The 98-yard return is tied for the sixth-longest in program history. Jefferson is one of just two ACC players with a kickoff return touchdown this season and one of only 15 players nationally to accomplish the feat.
First 100-Yard Game For Shipp
• Junior wide receiver Jordan Shipp recorded his first career 100-yard receiving game against the Fighting Irish, as he tallied a season-high seven receptions for 109 yards.
• He made a highlight reel catch on the first offensive play of the game for the Tar Heels and his 44-yard reception a few plays later is the longest play of the season for the Tar Heels.
• The Charlotte native's previous career best was 90 yards, which he recorded last season at NC State.
Big Day For The Tight Ends
• All three of North Carolina's offensive touchdowns against Notre Dame were scored by tight ends.
• The group combined for eight catches for 74 yards with three touchdowns, as Shamar Easter recorded his first collegiate touchdown and Jelani Thurman tallied his first career game with multiple receiving touchdowns.
• Thurman ended the game with five catches for 50 yards and two scores, while Easter had three catches for 24 yards with a score.
Smart Football
• Carolina has committed just 16 penalties for 115 yards through four games this season, which leads the nation in fewest penalty yards.
• The Tar Heels had only three in their season-opening win against TCU, five penalties against ETSU, five at Clemson and three in in their last outing against Notre Dame.
• UNC's 16 penalties are the fewest by an ACC team and third fewest nationally behind Notre Dame and Kansas State with 14 and 15 penalties, respectively.
Red Zone Defense
• The Tar Heels rank 10th nationally in red zone defense, allowing opponents to score on just 69.2% of their trips to the red zone.
• UNC has yielded just five touchdowns in the red zone and only four field goals, while forcing three turnovers on downs and a missed field goal.
Converting On Fourth Down
• UNC leads the ACC and ranks 12th nationally in fourth-down conversion percentage, as the Tar Heels have elected to go for it four times on fourth down and have been successful three times.
Getting to the QB
• UNC has tallied 10 sacks this season through four games this season, as the Tar Heels had a season-high four sacks versus ETSU and three against Clemson and TCU.
Lewis Among The Nation's Elite
• Defensive lineman Xavier Lewis is third nationally in sacks per game with 1.50 through Carolina's first four games this season.
• Additionally, his 2.13 tackles for loss per game is the second best among FBS players.
• Lewis has six sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss in total this season thanks to 4.5 tackles for loss against TCU and two each versus ETSU and Clemson.
• The Rolesville, North Carolina, native had two sacks in each of the Tar Heels' first three games.
Finding The Football
• Defensive lineman Jaylen Harvey has recovered two fumbles this season and is one of just 18 players with more than one fumble recovery in 2026.
• The Gaithersburg, Maryland, native is one of just two in the ACC to accomplish the feat.
• Carolina is in its 136th season of football (139th year) in 2026 and the Tar Heels own an all-time record of 757-586-54.
• For the second consecutive week, UNC will face a ranked opponent, as the Tar Heels travel to No. 25 Pittsburgh to take on the Panthers at noon Saturday at Acrisure Stadium. Saturday's game will air live on ESPN with Tom Hart (PxP), Roddy Jones (Analyst) and Quint Kessenich (Sideline) on the call.
• Carolina head coach Bill Belichick owns an 8-3 record as a head coach at Acrisure Stadium dating back to his time in the NFL. It will be his first time back in the stadium since earning a 21-18 win on Dec. 7, 2023.
• In its last outing, UNC dropped a hard-fought battle with No. 3 Notre Dame, 37-26, at Kenan Stadium.
• Carolina's tight ends were featured heavily in the contest, as Shamar Easter reeled in his first career touchdown on the opening drive of the game and Jelani Thurman caught the next two offensive touchdowns for the Tar Heels.
• Wide receiver Jordan Shipp also had a big game against the Fighting Irish, tallying a career-high 109 receiving yards on seven receptions to log his first career 100-yard game.
• Freshman Jaden Jefferson was named ACC Specialist of the Week on Monday, after returning a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown in Saturday's game on Jefferson's first career touch. He's one of two ACC players with a kickoff return for a touchdown this season.
• The Tar Heels lead the nation in fewest penalty yards through four games this season with only 115 yards yielded to opponents on 16 penalties.
• Carolina's red zone defense has been stout this season, as the Tar Heels rank 10th nationally with a 69.2 scoring percentage. Opponents have made 13 trips to the red zone and have scored five touchdowns with four field goals.
• Sophomore Xavier Lewis is ranked second nationally in tackles for loss per game with 2.13 and is third in the country in sacks per game with 1.50 through Carolina's first four games this season. Lewis has six sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss in total this season.
A Win Over Pitt Would…
• Give the Tar Heels their first ranked win since defeating No. 25 Miami, 41-31, in 2023.
• Give Carolina its first ranked road win since taking down No. 9 Miami, 62-26, in 2020.
• Give UNC its second consecutive win against Pitt at Acrisure Stadium.
• Be head coach Bill Belichick's first ranked win at Carolina.
• Be Carolina's 758th all-time victory in program history.
Carolina Versus Ranked Teams
• For the second consecutive week, Carolina will face a team ranked among the latest Associated Press Top 25 Poll, as the Panthers check in at No. 25.
• It marks the first time since the Tar Heels have played consecutive ranked opponents since 2022 when UNC faced 10th-ranked Clemson in the ACC Championship and No. 15 Oregon in the Union Holiday Bowl.
• The last time Carolina played back-to-back ranked opponents during the regular season was the 2021 season when the Tar Heels faced No. 10 Wake Forest and No. 25 Pitt in consecutive weeks.
• Carolina is looking for its first ranked win since 2023 when the program defeated No. 25 Miami, 41-31, and its first ranked road win since taking down ninth-ranked Miami,62-26, in Coral Gables on Dec. 12, 2020.
Last Time Versus Pitt
• North Carolina and Pitt last met during the 2024 season when the Panthers earned a 34-24 victory in Chapel Hill.
• Pittsburgh outscored North Carolina, 10-0, in the fourth quarter to beat the Tar Heels in a back-and-forth game at Kenan Stadium.
• Omarion Hampton rushed 23 times for 106 yards and a touchdown for Carolina, and Jacolby Criswell completed 24 of 45 passing attempts for 269 yards and a TD. Nate McCollum caught 10 passes for 128 yards.
• Pitt quarterback Eli Holstein was 25-for-42 for 381 yards and three scores. Desmond Reid caught 11 passes for 155 yards and a TD for the Panthers.
Last Time Versus Pitt At Acrisure Stadium
• Drake Maye threw for a touchdown and ran for two more as 17th-ranked North Carolina beat Pittsburgh, 41-24, in its first road game of 2023 and first ACC matchup of that season on Sept. 23.
• Alijah Huzzie also starred for the Tar Heels, tallying two interceptions and a punt return touchdown.
• UNC outscored the Panthers, 34-17, in the second and third quarters to seize control of what had been a close game in the early portions of the first half.
Jefferson Named ACC Specialist Of The Week
• After scoring the Tar Heels' first kickoff return for a touchdown since 2024, North Carolina freshman Jaden Jefferson has been named the ACC Specialist of the Week, the conference office announced Monday.
• On his first collegiate touch, Jefferson returned the opening kickoff of the second half 98 yards for a touchdown, providing an immediate spark for the Tar Heels. He weaved through a crowd of players early in the return before finding the sideline and racing to the end zone.
• The 98-yard return is tied for the sixth-longest in program history. Jefferson is one of just two ACC players with a kickoff return touchdown this season and one of only 15 players nationally to accomplish the feat.
First 100-Yard Game For Shipp
• Junior wide receiver Jordan Shipp recorded his first career 100-yard receiving game against the Fighting Irish, as he tallied a season-high seven receptions for 109 yards.
• He made a highlight reel catch on the first offensive play of the game for the Tar Heels and his 44-yard reception a few plays later is the longest play of the season for the Tar Heels.
• The Charlotte native's previous career best was 90 yards, which he recorded last season at NC State.
Big Day For The Tight Ends
• All three of North Carolina's offensive touchdowns against Notre Dame were scored by tight ends.
• The group combined for eight catches for 74 yards with three touchdowns, as Shamar Easter recorded his first collegiate touchdown and Jelani Thurman tallied his first career game with multiple receiving touchdowns.
• Thurman ended the game with five catches for 50 yards and two scores, while Easter had three catches for 24 yards with a score.
Smart Football
• Carolina has committed just 16 penalties for 115 yards through four games this season, which leads the nation in fewest penalty yards.
• The Tar Heels had only three in their season-opening win against TCU, five penalties against ETSU, five at Clemson and three in in their last outing against Notre Dame.
• UNC's 16 penalties are the fewest by an ACC team and third fewest nationally behind Notre Dame and Kansas State with 14 and 15 penalties, respectively.
Red Zone Defense
• The Tar Heels rank 10th nationally in red zone defense, allowing opponents to score on just 69.2% of their trips to the red zone.
• UNC has yielded just five touchdowns in the red zone and only four field goals, while forcing three turnovers on downs and a missed field goal.
Converting On Fourth Down
• UNC leads the ACC and ranks 12th nationally in fourth-down conversion percentage, as the Tar Heels have elected to go for it four times on fourth down and have been successful three times.
Getting to the QB
• UNC has tallied 10 sacks this season through four games this season, as the Tar Heels had a season-high four sacks versus ETSU and three against Clemson and TCU.
Lewis Among The Nation's Elite
• Defensive lineman Xavier Lewis is third nationally in sacks per game with 1.50 through Carolina's first four games this season.
• Additionally, his 2.13 tackles for loss per game is the second best among FBS players.
• Lewis has six sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss in total this season thanks to 4.5 tackles for loss against TCU and two each versus ETSU and Clemson.
• The Rolesville, North Carolina, native had two sacks in each of the Tar Heels' first three games.
Finding The Football
• Defensive lineman Jaylen Harvey has recovered two fumbles this season and is one of just 18 players with more than one fumble recovery in 2026.
• The Gaithersburg, Maryland, native is one of just two in the ACC to accomplish the feat.
Players Mentioned
Tight End
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Defensive Line
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Wide Receiver
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Defensive Line
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Wide Receiver
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Tight End
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