Tar Heel Takes: What Stood Out in UNC Loss In opposition to Notre Dame

Published On: October 4, 2026

Tar Heel Takes: What Stood Out in UNC Loss Against Notre Dame

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The North Carolina Tar Heels suffered their second consecutive loss, falling to the Notre Dame Combating Irish 37-26 on Saturday.

The Tar Heels acquired off to a quick begin, forcing a fast punt and marching down the sector for a convincing seven-play, 74-yard landing drive. From there on out, issues shortly went downhill. Listed here are good and not-so-good developments from this sport.

The Good

Jordan Shipp’s Greatest Recreation of 2026 Season

Sep 12, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels vast receiver Jordan Shipp (1) makes an attempt to catch the ball within the third quarter at Kenan Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Bob Donnan-Imagn Photographs | IMAGN IMAGES by way of Reuters Join

Shipp has been held again by subpar quarterback play all through the primary third of the 2026 season, however he overcame that with a robust outing on Saturday. The junior vast receiver recorded seven receptions for 109 yards.

Touchdowns proceed to flee Shipp, however the optimistic regression ought to begin to choose up within the coming weeks.

Jelani Thurman’s Purple Zone Success Continues

Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight finish Jelani Thurman (45) reacts within the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Bob Donnan-Imagn Photographs | IMAGN IMAGES by way of Reuters Join

This passing assault has revolved round Shipp and Thurman. The previous Ohio State tight finish caught 5 passes for 50 yards and two touchdowns within the loss.

Thurman’s second landing got here when the sport was out of attain, however that does not diminish his affect on the offense.

Penalties

Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Invoice Belichick reacts within the second half at Kenan Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Bob Donnan-Imagn Photographs | IMAGN IMAGES by way of Reuters Join

North Carolina solely dedicated three penalties for 20 yards, which is an encouraging signal transferring ahead.

Limiting penalties is a significant component if a group desires to remain on schedule on either side of the ball. Though the result’s disappointing, head coach Invoice Belichick needs to be happy together with his group’s self-discipline.

Not So Good

Billy Edwards Jr.’s Inconsistencies Strike Once more

Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) seems to go as Notre Dame Combating Irish defensive lineman Francis Brewu (7) defends within the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Bob Donnan-Imagn Photographs | IMAGN IMAGES by way of Reuters Join

As talked about earlier, Edwards Jr. was on level on the Tar Heels’ opening drive, as regular. However as soon as the opposing protection acknowledges North Carolina’s tendencies, Edwards Jr. crumbles.

That was obvious once more on Saturday, because the sixth-year quarterback threw interceptions on the following two drives. That put the Tar Heels down 14, which they finally crawled out of, however North Carolina could not afford these forms of errors when it was already dealing with an uphill battle in opposition to the No. 3-ranked group within the nation.

Abysmal Run Protection

Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Notre Dame Combating Irish operating again Aneyas Williams (22) runs as North Carolina Tar Heels linebacker Timir Hickman-Collins (54) and linebacker Calvin Thomas (12) defend within the second half at Kenan Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Bob Donnan-Imagn Photographs | IMAGN IMAGES by way of Reuters Join

Stopping the run has been the Tar Heels’ Achilles’ heel this season, and for the second time in 4 video games, they’ve allowed their opponent to run for over 200 yards.

Notre Dame took 45 carries for 241 yards and one speeding landing on Saturday. That is unacceptable, particularly in opposition to an elite quarterback like CJ Carr. The Tar Heels will face simpler opponents on their schedule, but when this pattern continues, successful video games will grow to be way more tough.