As Halloween evening unfolded in Chapel Hill during the 100th season in Kenan Stadium, there was little difference between the top-ranked team in the country and the host trying to make its bones.
Carolina tied its season high (35) points and scored the most points allowed by Miami’s defense. The Tar Heels also equalled most points against the Hurricanes in the first half (14) of 2026 and their 341 yards through the air topped the most given up by The U’s defense all season.
Both teams saw their quarterbacks trying to outdo each other — one a Heisman Trophy candidate being paid a reported $8 million and the other a six-year journeyman making far less, in lockstep statistically in a not-quite-full stadium. The crowd was nevertheless festooned as ghouls as the lights dimmed during timeouts and fireworks on the cool night by comparison, making for a fantastic atmosphere.
Miami’s Darian Mensah led a slightly more balanced attack behind running backs Javian Mallory and Mark Fletcher Jr. and the other sensational Heisman hopeful Malachi Toney. The trio combined for five touchdowns as the Hurricanes moved to 8-0. Mensah completed 22 of 29 passes for 274 yards for three touchdowns and no interceptions.
Normally, that kind of offensive success could spell an easy day at the office for Miami. And in most other games this season, UNC’s offense would have struggled to keep up. But instead, the Tar Heels turned in one of their more complete offensive games. QB Billy Edwards Jr. arguably outplayed Mensah by throwing 28-for-34 for 341 yards and four touchdowns, giving him 15 on the season. He effectively hit Jelani Thurman for 70 yards and two scores, his fifth and sixth of the season. Trech Kekahuna and Jordan Shipp also scored one touchdown each on great runs and catches. Edwards connected with nine different receivers in Carolina’s most varied passing attack of the season.
Dropped it in ?
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— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) November 1, 2026
Ultimately, the game turned on Miami’s blitzing defense that threw Edwards for a 17-yard loss in the fourth quarter and forced a game’s only turnover on a strip sack leading to the U’s 10-point advantage and eventual 38-35 victory. The penalty-marred final minutes by Carolina in its attempts to recover the onside kicks didn’t ruin the near-flawless performance of both teams.
“Really proud of our effort tonight but obviously came up a little bit short,” UNC head coach Bill Belichick said afterward. “Miami is really good offense, we obviously had a hard time handling them. One score, back-and-forth game and they got a turnover and that made it two-score and we could get the on-onside kick. A lot of effort, a lot of toughness, a lot of mental toughness, a lot of competitiveness…and it’s disappointing to come up short two weeks in a row.”
Belichick argued with officials about a controversial pass interference penalty and the couple of flags on UNC’s onside kicks. More than one fan left the stadium believing the ACC crew was protecting the Hurricanes’ College Football Playoff and national championship chances. Carolina (4-4) now needs to win two more games at UConn and Virginia and at home against Louisville or N.C. State to assure UNC a bowl bid in Belichick’s second season as a college head coach.
“I think [we] just need better execution,” Edwards said of the loss, although he credited the offense for doing that well for much of the game. “For the most part, we did a good job of staying in third and ones, third and twos, fourth and ones, manageable conversion downs for us. And I think that leading us into the red zone helped us kind of stay on schedule, get into a groove. I think we did a really good job on first downs [of] getting completions and making it second-and-short. That way we could try and take a shot.”
Miami running back Mark Fletcher Jr. runs past North Carolina linebacker Peyton Seelmann for a touchdown during the first half of their game on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. Despite Miami’s offense being one of the best in the country, UNC’s largely kept up the scoring pace. (Photo via AP Photo/Chris Seward.)
Miami coach Mario Cristobal called it “an awesome college football game, maybe an instant classic. We scored on six of seven possessions and they scored on five of seven. Certainly the fumble turned around the momentum of the game.”
The Hurricanes are gone, having swept through Chapel Hill. The No. 1 team stays undefeated and UNC’s record against the top team in the country stays winless. Miami is well-positioned to make the College Football Playoff and fans have probably already booked their tickets to the ACC Championship Game in Charlotte.
But instead of getting spooked, Carolina put up a good fight and delivered some Halloween entertainment. If they can bring that level of offense in the final month of the regular season, winnable games are on the schedule — and then Tar Heel football can again become something fans look forward to rather than fear.
Featured image via UNC Athletics Communications.
Art Chansky is a veteran journalist who has written ten books, including best-sellers “Game Changers,” “Blue Bloods,” and “The Dean’s List.” He has contributed to WCHL for decades, having made his first appearance as a student in 1971. His “Sports Notebook” commentary airs on 97.9 The Hill WCHL and his “Art’s Angle” opinion column runs weekly on Chapelboro during football and basketball seasons.Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.
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