Bill Belichick's UNC Tar Heels nearly upset top-ranked Miami before costly strip-sack

Bill Belichick, the day his UNC Tar Heels were set to face the No. 1 Miami Hurricanes in Chapel Hill, was the center of more off-field noise regarding his relationship.

This time, though, it was reported the 74-year-old actually ended things with 25-year-old Jordon Hudson over a year ago, per TMZ. They remain "committed to their business partnerships" and "remain close friends."

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Nonetheless, a game had to be played, and Belichick and UNC were certainly not thinking about his relationship status. They wanted to give Miami a run for their money.

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Head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels looks on before a game against the Syracuse Orange at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C., on Oct. 24, 2026. (Getty Images)

The Tar Heels came close to upsetting the Hurricanes, but they ran out of gas in the fourth quarter in a 38-35 loss to move to 4-4 on the season. Miami stayed undefeated, improving to 8-0 on the year and 6-0 in ACC play.

No one expected Belichick's squad to be able to handle the Hurricanes, led by Mario Cristobal. But just as Hurricanes quarterback Darian Mensah continued his efficient play this season, Billy Edwards Jr. was matching him when the Tar Heels had the ball.

Edwards threw for 341 yards on 28-of-34 through the air with four touchdown passes, including a 16-yard strike to Jordan Shipp to take a 21-17 lead — UNC’s first of the game — in the third quarter.

From there, both teams were trading blows, and the lead, on the scoreboard. Miami responded with an 80-yard drive to retake their lead, 24-21, but UNC continued to fight on while crushing clock heading into the fourth quarter.

Edwards led a 16-play, 75-yard drive capped with a touchdown run by Demon June from one yard out. There was a lot of time left in this ballgame, which Miami knew despite some shock of what UNC was doing to them at home.

Mensah wasn’t fazed, though, as yet another touchdown drive came from the Hurricanes thanks to key catch-and-runs, including a 31-yard burst from star receiver Malachi Toney. Mark Fletcher Jr. regained the Miami lead with a two-yard run and 7:49 left on the clock.

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North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Jelani Thurman makes a touchdown catch against the Miami Hurricanes during the first half at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C., on Oct. 31, 2026. (Scott Kinser/Cal Sport Media/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect)

The way this game was going, it seemed Belichick and UNC would have a chance if they were able to get the ball last. However, a grave error slammed the door shut on those chances.

Edwards was strip-sacked by Marquise Lightfoot, and Miami recovered at the UNC 37-yard line. That was the defensive stop needed to swing the tides of momentum, and Mensah didn’t thwart that opportunity.

Toney caught a nine-yard touchdown pass from his quarterback, and with a 10-point lead with 2:33 left to go, it was eventually the separation needed to leave Chapel Hill without Miami’s record being blemished. But it didn’t come without sweating until the end.

UNC would score on the ensuing possession to make things interesting, as Edwards threw for his fourth touchdown of the game with 1:38 left to play. Then, needing to recover an onside kick, the Tar Heels actually came away with it — until a yellow flag was seen on the turf. Offsides was called.

On the second try, UNC recovered again, but another flag negated it as a Tar Heels player hit the Miami player trying to recover the ball before crossing the necessary 10 yards.

Miami Hurricanes quarterback Darian Mensah throws against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half of an NCAA college football game at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C., on Oct. 31, 2026. (Scott Kinser/Cal Sport Media/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect)

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The third try was finally recovered by the Hurricanes, and they ran the clock out.

Mensah threw for 274 yards and three scores, while rushing for 36 yards. Toney had two of those touchdowns, hauling in seven receptions for 75 yards. Fletcher also scored three total touchdowns.