Bill Belichick earns first win against ranked opponent as UNC upsets No 25 Pitt on road

Bill Belichick earned the biggest win of his college coaching career Saturday.

North Carolina defeated No. 25 Pitt 21-17 on the road Saturday at Acrisure Stadium, marking Belichick's first win over a ranked opponent as UNC's head coach. It was UNC's first win over a ranked opponent since beating No. 25 Miami in 2023 and its first road win over a ranked opponent since defeating No. 9 Miami in 2020.

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"Gutsy performance. Kept battling against a good football team," Belichick said during ESPN's postgame broadcast. "We just kept hanging in there. We made a couple big plays, and they made a couple too. They’re a good football team."

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North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick stands on the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Belichick's squad fell behind 10-0 before beginning its comeback in the second quarter, when quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. connected with tight end Jelani Thurman on a 7-yard touchdown pass to make it 10-7.

Late in the third quarter, UNC took its first lead of the game on Demon June's 1-yard touchdown run, taking a 14-10 lead. On the ensuing drive, Pitt marched down the field, as running back La'Vell Wright capped a seven-play, 75-yard drive that lasted 2 1/2 minutes with a 1-yard touchdown run, putting Pitt back ahead 17-14.

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North Carolina tight end Jelani Thurman celebrates after a touchdown reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Edwards responded even faster than Pitt, finding tight end Shamar Easter for a 75-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the ensuing possession to give UNC a 21-17 lead that held for the remainder of the game.

With the win, North Carolina improved to 3-2 and moved within one victory of matching its win total from last season, when the Tar Heels finished 4-8. UNC will look to win its second straight game against archrival Duke next week.

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North Carolina running back Demon June celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Pitt, on the other hand, fell to 5-1 and will face Boston College next week.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Ryan Canfield is a digital production assistant for Fox News Digital.