After their first drive on Saturday afternoon, the Pitt Panthers appeared well on their way to a blowout win over the North Carolina Tar Heels.
Pitt marched 75 yards in 12 plays, wearing the UNC defense down with methodical passing and bruising runs. Two drives later, the Panthers added a field goal and pushed their lead to 10-0.
As the game wore on, something clicked for North Carolina's defense. The Tar Heels held Pitt to just seven second-half, forcing three-straight turnovers on downs to end the game and winning via a 21-17 upset.
The Panthers (5-1, 2-1 ACC) generated just 25 yards on their final three drives. UNC's (3-2, 1-1 ACC) pass-rush came to life, forcing Pitt QB Holden Geriner to make some bad throws. North Carolina's offense scored
on its first play of the fourth quarter, but stalled after. Luckily, the Tar Heels' defense shined like they did in previous victories.
Derek McDonald and Xavier Lewis anchored the UNC defense, totaling 12 tackles and a TFL each. Lewis and Timir Hickman-Collins combined for a half-sack each, while junior defensive back Tre Miller deflected a pair of passes.
Pitt's last three possessions Saturday: 20 yards, lost ball on downs; nine yards, downs; minus-four, downs. Fun to win with defense. Here Xavier Lewis makes one of his 12 tackles (plus half a sack, one TFL, one pass breakup). Imagn Images/Reuters pic.twitter.com/taXsIPIPNq
— Lee Pace (@LeePaceTweet) October 11, 2026
Take away the second half at Clemson and losing to Notre Dame, it's no secret North Carolina's defense is underrated. The Tar Heels play a hungry brand of football, wrapping up the ball-carrier on first tackle. UNC is deeper, as evidenced by Ade Willie stepping up after Kaleb Cost's injury on Saturday, while Lewis gives North Carolina another star in the trenches.
The Tar Heels face a tough test at Duke next weekend, who carries the nation's best running back in sophomore Nat Sheppard. Can UNC's defense step up again and anchor another upset win?
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heelsnews, notes and opinions
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Late defensive stands help UNC upset 25th-ranked Pitt
