University of North Carolina Athletics
Lewis, McDonald Earn ACC Weekly Honors
August 31, 2026 | Football
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – North Carolina sophomore Xavier Lewis has been named ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week, while graduate student Derek McDonald has been selected as the ACC Linebacker of the Week, the conference office announced Monday.
Lewis turned in the best game of his collegiate career to lead the Tar Heels to a 15-10 win against TCU in Dublin, Ireland. He tallied seven tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks - each of which was a career high. Lewis made several big-time plays to help Carolina shut out TCU in the final 49 minutes of Saturday's game.Â
He graded out at 88.2, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF), to lead all defensive players in the game. His 4.5 tackles for loss are the most by a Tar Heel since 2024. Lewis was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic.Â
McDonald had a great Tar Heel debut, as he logged a game-high 11 tackles to lead the Tar Heels. Wearing the green dot and organizing the defense, McDonald registered five tackles in the first half and six in the second half.
UNC's stellar defensive effort helped snap TCU's streak of scoring at least 28 points in 30 straight non-conference regular season games. The Tar Heels also ended the Horned Frogs' streak of scoring at least 30 points in season openers for 10 straight years. The 10 points were the fewest scored by the Horned Frogs since 2023.
UNC returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 12, against East Tennessee State in its home opener. Kickoff is set for noon on ACC Network from Kenan Stadium.
Lewis turned in the best game of his collegiate career to lead the Tar Heels to a 15-10 win against TCU in Dublin, Ireland. He tallied seven tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks - each of which was a career high. Lewis made several big-time plays to help Carolina shut out TCU in the final 49 minutes of Saturday's game.Â
He graded out at 88.2, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF), to lead all defensive players in the game. His 4.5 tackles for loss are the most by a Tar Heel since 2024. Lewis was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic.Â
McDonald had a great Tar Heel debut, as he logged a game-high 11 tackles to lead the Tar Heels. Wearing the green dot and organizing the defense, McDonald registered five tackles in the first half and six in the second half.
UNC's stellar defensive effort helped snap TCU's streak of scoring at least 28 points in 30 straight non-conference regular season games. The Tar Heels also ended the Horned Frogs' streak of scoring at least 30 points in season openers for 10 straight years. The 10 points were the fewest scored by the Horned Frogs since 2023.
UNC returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 12, against East Tennessee State in its home opener. Kickoff is set for noon on ACC Network from Kenan Stadium.
Players Mentioned
Defensive Line
/ Football
Linebacker
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