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Miami vs UNC recap: No. 1 Hurricanes survive scare to move to 8-0
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- Miami vs UNC recap: No. 1 Hurricanes survive scare to move to 8-0
Just when it seemed that Miami would again be haunted by a trip to Chapel Hill, the No. 1 Hurricanes got to North Carolina's quarterback to force the turnover that led to their 38-28 win on Halloween.
UNC (4-4, 2-3 in ACC) had scored touchdowns on four straight drives (not counting a kneeldown before halftime) and took over with under 8 minutes left after Mark Fletcher Jr. put home his third TD of the game. But Marquise Lightfoot put a stop to that by stripping Billy Edwards Jr. from behind. Justin Scott hopped on the fumble, and after Malachi Toney caught his second score of the night, there wasn't enough time for the Tar Heels to mount a comeback.
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But it nearly came apart after Edwards threw his fourth touchdown of the night 55 seconds later. UNC recovered two successive onside kick attempts, but both were negated by penalties. On the third try, Daylyn Upshaw snagged the ball to finally put the game to rest and get Miami to 8-0 (6-0).
Bill Belichick kept Toney in check most of the night. The Heisman contender had four catches and a TD on the opening possession for Miami, but his next one came in the fourth. He finished with seven receptions for 75 yards. The two touchdowns gives him 13 on the season, tying Leonard Hankerson's program record set in 2010.
Fletcher also made UM history, with his two rushing scores tying him with Stephen McGuire with 35 for his career. The senior's 31-yard receiving touchdown on a screen pass puts his total at 38, more than anyone in Hurricanes history.
Darian Mensah had to use his legs more than usual, scrambling four times for 36 yards, but he remained accurate even with Toney locked up, going 22 of 29 for 274 yards and three touchdowns. With no picks, he improved his TD-to-INT ratio on the season to 25-1.
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Miami's defense had a hard time containing Bobby Petrino's methodical offense. UNC held the ball for most of the second half and went 8 of 11 on third downs, plus 2 for 2 on fourth down. Edwards had a career-best four touchdown passes, two to tight end Jelani Thurman and one each to Jordan Shipp and Trech Kekahuna, on 28-of-34 passing for 341 yards. Most of those yards came on clever screens and underneath routes that broke for bigger yardage after sloppy UM tackling.
But the Canes survived, avoiding the same fate the 2004 team had when they were stunned by an unranked UNC team on a walk-off field goal. Now they get to prepare for the long-awaited trip to South Bend and a rematch with No. 6 Notre Dame .
The Palm Beach Post brought you live updates, scores and highlights from the game. Keep scrolling to see our recap and expert analysis of the turning points, biggest plays and highlights from the game.
Miami survives onside kick adventure
11:03 PM ET, October 31 2026, Dan Rorabaugh
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The ABC broadcast showed onside kicks have an 18% success rate this season. A dribbler down the middle by kicker Rece Verhoff was recovered by UNC after Daylyn Upshaw bobbled it, but one of the players out wide was ruled offside. On the second try, they again recovered a bouncer up the middle, but Peyton Seelmann illegally blocked Bryce Fitzgerald before the ball went 10 yards, negating it again.
Malachi Toney had to put on No. 41 to be part of the hands team (Mohamed Toure was out there, too, and there can't be two No. 1 jerseys). With Toney square in the middle of the field, UNC tried the onside kick right, and Upshaw brought it in this time.
Trench Kekahuna touchdown keeps UNC alive
10:57 PM ET, October 31 2026, Dan Rorabaugh
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It's not over yet. The Tar Heels marched 75 yards down in the field in just five plays and 55 seconds, ending with Billy Edwards Jr. hitting Trench Kekahuna for a 15-yard strike. Edwards now has 341 yards and four touchdowns. Miami needs to recover the onside kick.
Score:Miami 38, UNC 35, 1:38 in 4Q
Malachi Toney ties Miami touchdown record
10:46 PM ET, October 31 2026, Dan Rorabaugh
Mario Cristobal's steady diet of runs led Javian Mallory down to the 25 before Darian Mensah dumped a pass to Elija Lofton, who leaped over Greg Smith III to pick up 12. Then after Carolina used its first timeout, Malachi Toney beat his man by dancing before hitting a slant for a 9-yard touchdown. It's Toney's second touchdown of the game and the 13th on the season, tying Leonard Hankerson's program record set in 2010.
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Score:Miami 38, UNC 28, 2:33 in 4Q
Marquise Lightfoot forces fumble
10:37 PM ET, October 31 2026, Dan Rorabaugh
Miami's pass rush finally got to Billy Edwards Jr. with Justin Scott and Marquise Lightfoot making sure he couldn't slip away. Jaylen McGill took a screen 22 yards for a first down to keep the pressure on the Hurricanes defense, but Lightfoot responded by stripping Edwards with his helmet before he could throw the pass. Scott hopped on it for the first turnover of the game, just when the Canes needed it.
Score:Miami 31, UNC 28, 5:33 in 4Q
Mark Fletcher Jr ties Miami rushing touchdown record
10:31 PM ET, October 31 2026, Dan Rorabaugh
After Cooper Barkate opened the drive with a 16-yard gain on a crosser, Malachi Toney found himself wide open for his first catch since there were 8½ minutes left in the first quarter. The sophomore turned and took it 31 yards to the Carolina 26. Javian Mallory took a dump-off 12 yards to the 11, but a fade to Daylyn Upshaw bounced off his hands as he spun for what would have been the go-ahead score.
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Facing third-and-9 from the 10, Mensah hit Toney on a sit route, but he couldn't push his way for a first down. On fourth-and-1 from the 2, Mark Fletcher Jr. took a shotgun handoff up the gut for his third touchdown of the game. It's Fletcher's second three-touchdown game (2025 vs. Stanford) and it tied Stephen McGuire's program record with 35 rushing scores in his illustrious career.
Score:Miami 31, UNC 28, 7:49 in 4Q
Demon June touchdown puts UNC back ahead
10:16 PM ET, October 31 2026, Dan Rorabaugh
This has been Carolina's third drive of at least 10 plays (a fourth was an eight-play, 75-yard touchdown drive) as they wear down the Miami defense. Benjamin Hall thought he'd finished the latest one off with a 12-yard scamper after bouncing off the left side of the line, but a holding penalty on left Andrew Threatt against Armondo Blount well after he ran past him brought it back. Mason Humphrey picked up 10 instantly wide open on the left, and Demon June brought in a third-down halfback option route over the middle, stretching for the goal line with video ruling he was down at the 1.
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June plunged in on the next play, capping a 16-play, 8½-minute drive to put UNC back ahead. They're now 8 of 11 on third down and have had a massive advantage in time of possession in the second half (12:37-5:32).
Score:UNC 28, Miami 24, 11:46 in 4Q
Miami defense struggling to make stops
10:05 PM ET, October 31 2026, Dan Rorabaugh
Justin Scott got an amazing push on a third-and-1, but the big D-lineman couldn't bring down Demon June behind the line of scrimmage and UNC picked up a first down. Mohamed Toure and Chase Smith stopped June on the next third-and-short, but Billy Edwards got a friendly tush push to propel him forward on fourth down. The right side has been wide open on several short-yardage situations in what's been a tight game.
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Miami's defense has posted strong numbers this season, but one place they're noticeably deficient is in tackling: Pro Football Focus ranks them 133rd of 138 FBS teams in that department. It's shown against the punishing runners of North Carolina. The Tar Heels are 7 of 10 on third down and 2 for 2 on fourth down through three quarters.
Score:Miami 24, UNC 21, end 3Q
Mark Fletcher Jr touchdown gives Miami the lead
09:53 PM ET, October 31 2026, Dan Rorabaugh
Darian Mensah has shown more of a willingness to scramble tonight, tucking the ball and taking off for 24 yards. He's Miami's leading rusher so far with 36 yards on four carries. After that, Malachi Toney finally got a handoff on an end around for 11 yards for his first action since his first-quarter touchdown.
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An Elija Lofton false start set the promising drive back, but he made up for it with a 19-yard pickup over the middle inside the 15. Mark Fletcher Jr. churned away twice for 9 yards to get inside the 5, and another end-zone fade for Toney drew a pass interference that had Bill Belichick irate at the refs. Fletcher punched it in from 2 yards out, and several minor skirmishes broke out in the aftermath. The score stood after review, and it gives the senior 34 career rushing TDs, one shy of Stephen McGuire's program record. His 37 total touchdowns extend his own record.
Score:Miami 24, UNC 21, 5:14 in 3Q
Jordan Shipp touchdown gives UNC the lead
09:40 PM ET, October 31 2026, Dan Rorabaugh
After halftime, Justin Scott threw Christo Kelly to the ground after the center kept engaging with the Miami defensive tackle well after the whistle. On the next play, Jelani Thurman got open on a slant over the middle for a 23-yard gain past midfield. UNC guard Andrew Threatt had to be helped up by trainers after a Demon June run for a first down; Threatt was among those listed as questionable before the game.
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Jaylen McGill shook off two tackle attempts to turn a 6-yard loss on a screen into a minimal gain, then Thurman was open again for a 21-yard gain over Zechariah Poyser. Billy Edwards bought enough time in the pocket to let Jordan Shipp slip open in the end zone past Poyser for the go-ahead touchdown. UNC is doing enough to protect Edwards from a lackadaisical pass rush and attack Miami's injured secondary. That could spell trouble as this game winds down.
Score:UNC 21, Miami 17, 10:51 in 3Q
Malachi Toney stats
09:17 PM ET, October 31 2026, Dan Rorabaugh
Heisman contender Malachi Toney started the game with four catches on four targets for 27 yards and a touchdown. But he's been targeted just twice since then and hasn't had another reception, despite nearly hauling in an unreal one-handed sideline grab on UM's final drive of the first half. Mark Fletcher's 31-yard touchdown on a screen came when Toney was clearly being double-teamed on the other side of the field.
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Bill Belichick has made his tactics known: double Toney and force anyone else to make the big plays. The Canes had four plays go for 15 or more yards in the first half, the same as UNC.
Field goal gives Miami lead at halftime
09:10 PM ET, October 31 2026, Dan Rorabaugh
After the overturned Malachi Toney catch, the Darian Mensah-Cooper Barkate connection struck gold twice. First, Barkate snagged an 8-yard gain over the middle to convert a third down. Then the former Duke standout streaked down the right sideline for 40 after a pitch-perfect stop-and-go. He's now the team leader on the night with 55 yards on three catches.
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Mensah forced a dangerous pass into traffic for Elija Lofton on third down after Toney couldn't get open, and fortunately the pass fell incomplete. Jake Weinberg's 25-yard field goal put the Canes back ahead. Mensah has not looked down the field much tonight as UNC has covered Toney well, with all four of his catches coming on the opening drive. Mensah is 13 of 19 for 153 yards and two TDs. Billy Edwards has nearly identical numbers.
Score:Miami 17, UNC 14, halftime
Was this a catch by Malachi Toney?
09:03 PM ET, October 31 2026, Dan Rorabaugh
Malachi Toney adjusted to tight coverage by Kaleb Cost against the sideline to make an unbelievable one-handed catch falling out of bounds. It was ruled a 16-yard reception on the field, and officials went back and forth for more than a minute to determine whether his foot stayed in bounds and whether he maintained control of the ball. Ultimately, video showed the ball moved enough as he hit the ground to overturn the call.
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Score:Miami 14, UNC 14, 1:12 in 2Q
UNC ties score with Jelani Thurman touchdown
08:59 PM ET, October 31 2026, Dan Rorabaugh
Fresh off the 2-minute timeout with third-and-goal from the 8, Billy Edwards hit Jelani Thurman with a rocket that only the 6-foot-6 tight end could grab, his second score of the game. The ball was fit perfectly over the arm of a leaping Cam Pruitt and just between Zechariah Poyser and JJ Dunnigan. Edwards is now 14 of 18 for 152 yards as UNC has proven up for the task.
Score:Miami 14, UNC 14, 1:56 in 2Q
JJ Dunnigan asserting himself as Miami playmaker
08:53 PM ET, October 31 2026, Dan Rorabaugh
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Carolina again converts a third down with a Benjamin Hall run to the left, then Trench Kekahuna was left all alone in the flat to run for 19 on the next play. Billy Edwards' string of 12 straight completions ended with an aborted screen. Demon June took a handoff right to get it to fourth-and-1 at the Miami 34, and after a UM timeout, June powered right for an easy 3-yard pickup.
On the next play, Kekahuna worked JJ Dunnigan on a sideline pattern to move the ball to the 8. But the freshman safety got his revenge with a punishing hit on an escape route in which he nearly had an interception land in his lap. Dunnigan is tied with Mohamed Toure and Chase Smith for the team lead with five tackles, though his seem to come on the biggest plays.
Score:Miami 14, UNC 7, 2:00 in 2Q
Mark Fletcher touchdown on screen pass
08:41 PM ET, October 31 2026, Dan Rorabaugh
On fourth-and-1 from the UNC 35, Mark Fletcher Jr. plowed ahead for the conversion, then hurried with the three tight ends in on the jumbo package to catch a screen and weave between his blockers for a 31-yard touchdown. It's his fourth career receiving score and first of the season. The senior now has six catches on the year for 73 yards, while QB Darian Mensah has two TDs on the night and 24 on the year.
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The Canes are 5 of 7 on third downs for the day. UNC is 3 of 4. A defense is going to have to step up at some point in the game.
Score:Miami 14, UNC 7, 7:41 in 2Q
UNC touchdown by Jelani Thurman ties game
08:29 PM ET, October 31 2026, Dan Rorabaugh
Short passes have let the Tar Heels move the ball downfield, with running back Demon June finding room underneath for 9 on third-and-1. Jordan Shipp got lost in the zone for 15 yards down to the 8-yard line, followed by a convincing play fake from Billy Edwards that opened the end zone for tight end Jelani Thurman's team-leading fifth touchdown.
The 11-play, 84-yard drive didn't meet many roadblocks, a potential concern for Miami's defense if it can't make adjustments on those underneath routes. Edwards is 9 of 11 for 95 yards early on, while June has 34 yards on four touches.
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Score:Miami 7, UNC 7, 11:50 in 2Q
North Carolina pressure on Darian Mensah
08:21 PM ET, October 31 2026, Dan Rorabaugh
The Hurricanes picked up a first down on a well-designed drag route to Daylyn Upshaw. But nothing more was to come as Donovan Hoilette flushed Darian Mensah out of the pocket and forced back-to-back incompletions. Matthew McCoy might have gotten away with a facemask on one of the scrambles. Mensah was sacked seven times in the past three games. The UM O-line has its work cut out against a solid UNC pass rush.
JJ Dunnigan sack stops UNC drive
08:06 PM ET, October 31 2026, Dan Rorabaugh
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Running back passes moved the ball quickly downfield for Bobby Petrino's offense. On third-and-10, Jaylen McGill was left all alone underneath to pick up 11, and on the next play, Demon June lined up wide left and slipped through a tackle down the sideline for 20. JJ Dunnigan blew up Billy Edwards with support from Marquise Lightfoot for a sack on third down, forcing the punt. The freshman safety has been a crucial part in keeping the Miami defense together through myriad injuries: His 29 tackles entering the game were second on the team behind Mohamed Toure.
Score:Miami 7, UNC 0, 5:05 in 1Q
Malachi Toney touchdown caps opening drive
08:00 PM ET, October 31 2026, Dan Rorabaugh
Malachi Toney picked up right where he left off against Pitt, hauling in all four targets for 27 yards on the first drive of the game, including a 19-yard slant in which he got lost amid the secondary. He finished it off with a gorgeous catch on an end-zone fade in which he was isolated against Jaiden Patterson. He's up to 12 touchdowns now and nearing 1,000 yards on the season.
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The UNC pass rush forced Darian Mensah to throw the ball away on his first pass attempt, the first time all year he hasn't opened with a completion. He evaded a sack twice, picking up two third-down conversions with his legs for a total of 13 yards.
Score:Miami 7, UNC 0, 8:33 in 1Q
Darian Mensah stats
07:15 PM ET, October 31 2026, Dan Rorabaugh
Junior Darian Mensah is competing with teammate Malachi Toney for Heisman buzz but has been among the best quarterbacks in college football in his first season in Miami. Here's a look at his stats and where he ranks nationally entering games Oct. 30:
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Completion percentage: 81.4% (1st)
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Passing yards: 2,151 (10th)
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Passing touchdowns: 22 (T-3rd)
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Passer rating: 204.55 (1st)
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Yards per attempt: 10.5 (1st)
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Interceptions: 1
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Rushing yards: 73
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Rushing touchdowns: 2
Malachi Toney stats
07:00 PM ET, October 31 2026, Dan Rorabaugh
Sophomore receiver Malachi Toney blasted into the Heisman conversation after hauling in 16 receptions for 194 yards and three touchdowns last week vs. Pitt . He has been targeted on 36% of Darian Mensah's passes through seven games this season and is near the top of every major receiving category. Here's a look at Toney's stats and where he ranks nationally entering games Oct. 30:
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Receptions: 66 (2nd)
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Targets: 74 (9th)
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Receiving yards: 952 (3rd)
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Receiving touchdowns: 11 (3rd)
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Drops: 0 (1st)
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Carries: 3
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Rushing yards: 50
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Punt returns: 6
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Return yards: 69
Miami vs North Carolina history
06:45 PM ET, October 31 2026, Dan Rorabaugh
Undefeated Miami came into Chapel Hill for the first time as an ACC team on Oct. 30, 2004, and lost on a stunning last-second field goal 31-28. The loss has become symbolic of the Hurricanes' history against the Tar Heels, who hold a 14-11 all-time advantage and a five-game winning streak over them. Miami's last win over UNC came in 2018 with the most recent win in Chapel Hill coming the year prior. Here's a look back at the most recent meetings (home team in bold):
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Oct. 14, 2023: UNC 41, Miami 31
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Oct. 8, 2022: UNC 27, Miami 24
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Oct. 16, 2021: UNC 45, Miami 42
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Dec. 12, 2020: UNC 62, Miami 26
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Sept. 7, 2019: UNC 28, Miami 25
Miami vs North Carolina betting odds
06:30 PM ET, October 31 2026, Dan Rorabaugh
Odds via BetMGM .
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Spread:Miami (-14)
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Total O/U:53½
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Moneyline:Miami (-600) | UNC (+450)
Miami football schedule 2026
06:15 PM ET, October 31 2026, Dan Rorabaugh
Here is Miami's schedule and results for the 2026 season, as well as known TV info. All times Eastern.
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Sept. 4: Miami 45, Stanford 6 *
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Sept. 10: Miami 77, Florida A&M 7
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Sept. 18: Miami 33, Wake Forest 20 *
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Sept. 26: Miami 52, Central Michigan 3
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Oct. 3: Miami 41, Clemson 13 *
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Oct. 10:Open
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Oct. 17: Miami 43, Florida State 35 (2OT) *
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Oct. 24: Miami 52, Pittsburgh 23 *
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Oct. 31: Miami at North Carolina* | 7:30 p.m. | ABC
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Nov. 7: Miami at Notre Dame | 7:30 p.m. | NBC
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Nov. 14:Miami vs. Duke* | TBD
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Nov. 21:Miami vs. Virginia Tech* | TBD
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Nov. 28: Miami vs. Boston College* | TBD
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Record: 7-0 (5-0 in ACC)
*- ACC game
Did Bill Belichick and Jordon Hudson break up?
06:10 PM ET, October 31 2026, Dan Rorabaugh
It's Halloween heartbreak for Miami fans hoping to get a glimpse of the North Carolina coach cozying up with his 25-year-old girlfriend, as TMZ reported Friday that Bill Belichick and Jordon Hudson split late last year. Hudson has been spotted at UNC games as recently as Oct. 3; TMZ said the two are "committed to their business partnerships and remain close friends."
Miami Hurricanes uniforms today
06:00 PM ET, October 31 2026, Dan Rorabaugh
Miami is going for the white jersey, pants and helmet look that has become its road staple. North Carolina will wear baby blue from top to bottom with its signature argyle pattern down the pants and around the collar. The Tar Heels will wear helmets with a diagonal UNC wordmark rather than their traditional "NC" logo.
Miami vs North Carolina predictions
05:45 PM ET, October 31 2026, Dan Rorabaugh
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Dan Rorabaugh, USA TODAY Network: Miami 38-20
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Rodd Baxley, Fayetteville Observer: Miami 38-18
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Pete Fiutak, College Football News: Miami 30-23
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Bill Bender, Sporting News: Miami 38-21
Miami vs North Carolina weather
05:30 PM ET, October 31 2026, Dan Rorabaugh
AccuWeather predicts 60 degrees with partly cloudy skies at kickoff in Chapel Hill, NC. Winds are expected to blow out of the northeast at 5 mph. There is no chance of rain in the forecast.
College GameDay headed to Miami vs Notre Dame
05:19 PM ET, October 31 2026, Dan Rorabaugh
No big shocker here: ESPN announced it will send its pregame bonanza "College GameDay" to South Bend, Indiana, for the major Miami-Notre Dame rematch Nov. 7. It will be the Hurricanes' first time in the show's spotlight since hosting Florida in September 2025.
Miami vs North Carolina injury updates
05:15 PM ET, October 31 2026, Dan Rorabaugh
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Miami:OUT: WR Joshua Moore (out for season), RB CharMar Brown (out for season), DB Ja'Boree Antoine, DB O.J. Frederique, OL Max Buchanan, TE Luka Gilbert (out for season)
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UNC:OUT: DB Tre Miller, DL Viliama Moala, WR Keeyun Chapman, DL Vodney Cleveland, DL Jimmy-Phrisco Alo-Suliafu; QUESTIONABLE: DB Peyton Waters, LB Jonathan Agumadu, OL Jordan Hall, OL Andrew Threatt
What TV channel is Miami vs North Carolina on today?
05:01 PM ET, October 31 2026, Dan Rorabaugh
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TV:ABC
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Streaming: Fubo (free trial) | ESPN Unlimited
What time does Miami vs North Carolina start?
04:45 PM ET, October 31 2026, Dan Rorabaugh
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Date:Saturday, Oct. 31
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Time:7:30 p.m. ET
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Where:Kenan Stadium (Chapel Hill, North Carolina)
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami vs UNC recap: No. 1 Hurricanes survive scare to move to 8-0
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