UNC (4-2, 2-1 ACC) upset archrivalDuke, 24-20, on the road last weekend. Wide receiverJordan Shippcontinued his recent tear, leading North Carolina's offense with 75 yards and a touchdown catch, while defensive tackleXavier Lewisrecorded two tackles, a half-sack and half-TFL apiece.
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Shipp and Lewis are two of the Tar Heels' main reasons behind their current success, recently earning recognition for their contributions. Lewis earned a spot on The Sporting News' Midseason All-America Team, while Shipp is a semifinalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award.
This honor continues a busy week of honors for Lewis, who previously earned himself a spot on the Lombardi Award Midseason Watch List, plus a spot on theAssociated Press' Midseason All-America First Team. Lewis already has 30 tackles (14 solo), a team-leading 10 TFLs and seven sacks, the latter two figures which rank Top-3 nationally.
Shipp is quickly proving himself as a reliable, star-level pass-catcher and leader across the entire UNC roster, recording a team-high 33 catches and 441 receiving yards through six games. In his past three outings, Shipp has 227 yards and caught his first 2026 touchdown.
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North Carolina's next test comesthis Saturday against Syracuse, which sits in the conference cellar without an ACC win. The Orange (2-4, 0-2 ACC) are better than their record shows, winning just one of their four, one-score games.
Will the Tar Heels win their first night game this season? If so, expect Shipp and Lewis to deliver major impacts under the Kenan Stadium lights.
Oct 17, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarter back Billy Edwards Jr. (9) looks to pass during the first quarter against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
(Zachary Taft, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Jordan Shipp (1) runs the ball against the Duke Blue Devils during the first quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
(Zachary Taft, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Jordan Shipp (1) catches the ball in the end zone for a touchdown against the Duke Blue Devils during the first quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
(Zachary Taft, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils saftey Patrick Smith-Young (2) tackles North Carolina Tar Heels running back Jaylen McGill (27) during the first quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
(Zachary Taft, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarter back Billy Edwards Jr. (9) throws the ball during the first quarter against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
(Zachary Taft, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Jordan Shipp (1) celebrates against the Duke Blue Devils during the first quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
(Zachary Taft, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Shamar Easter (84) runs the ball during the third quarter against he Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
(Zachary Taft, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Shamar Easter (84) runs the ball during the third quarter against Duke Blue Devils linebacker Bradley Gompers (24) and Duke Blue Devils saftey Patrick Smith-Young (2) at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
(Zachary Taft, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick looks on during the fourth quarter against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
(Zachary Taft, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Jaylen McGill (27) scores a touchdown against Duke Blue Devils saftey Che Ojarikre (9) during the fourth quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
(Zachary Taft, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; A North Carolina Tar Heels helmet at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
(Zachary Taft, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
1/11
UNC football vs. Syracuse: Game preview, info, prediction, more
Oct 17, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarter back Billy Edwards Jr. (9) looks to pass during the first quarter against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
(Zachary Taft, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
1/11
UNC football vs. Syracuse: Game preview, info, prediction, more
Oct 17, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarter back Billy Edwards Jr. (9) looks to pass during the first quarter against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
(Zachary Taft, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
2/11
Photos from UNC football's win over Duke on Saturday
Oct 17, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Jordan Shipp (1) runs the ball against the Duke Blue Devils during the first quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
(Zachary Taft, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
3/11
Photos from UNC football's win over Duke on Saturday
Oct 17, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Jordan Shipp (1) catches the ball in the end zone for a touchdown against the Duke Blue Devils during the first quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
(Zachary Taft, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
4/11
UNC jumps into Top 40 of USA TODAY Sports' Week 7 CFB re-rank
Oct 17, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils saftey Patrick Smith-Young (2) tackles North Carolina Tar Heels running back Jaylen McGill (27) during the first quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
(Zachary Taft, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
5/11
Photos from UNC football's win over Duke on Saturday
Oct 17, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarter back Billy Edwards Jr. (9) throws the ball during the first quarter against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
(Zachary Taft, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
6/11
UNC slated to face Big 10 teams in ESPN's latest bowl projections
Oct 17, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Jordan Shipp (1) celebrates against the Duke Blue Devils during the first quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
(Zachary Taft, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
7/11
UNC to host top-ranked team in primetime football matchup
Oct 17, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Shamar Easter (84) runs the ball during the third quarter against he Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
(Zachary Taft, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
8/11
Photos from UNC football's win over Duke on Saturday
Oct 17, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Shamar Easter (84) runs the ball during the third quarter against Duke Blue Devils linebacker Bradley Gompers (24) and Duke Blue Devils saftey Patrick Smith-Young (2) at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
(Zachary Taft, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
9/11
Photos from UNC football's win over Duke on Saturday
Oct 17, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick looks on during the fourth quarter against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
(Zachary Taft, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
10/11
What channel is UNC's October 24 football matchup vs. Syracuse on?
Oct 17, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Jaylen McGill (27) scores a touchdown against Duke Blue Devils saftey Che Ojarikre (9) during the fourth quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
(Zachary Taft, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
11/11
UNC earns votes in latest 2026-27 US LBM Coaches Poll after Week 7
Oct 17, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; A North Carolina Tar Heels helmet at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
(Zachary Taft, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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