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UNC to face new quarterback in October 10 road battle with Pitt
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- UNC to face new quarterback in October 10 road battle with Pitt
Very few people gave UNC a chance during Saturday's home football game vs. third-ranked Notre Dame , which entered with National Championship aspirations.
When the final buzzer sounded, North Carolina lost a closer-than-expected, 37-26 clash . The Fighting Irish (5-0) kept their National Championship aspirations alive, while the Tar Heels (2-2, 0-1 ACC) struggled defensively but cracked Notre Dame's formidable defense.
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UNC travels up to face Pitt on October, playing its first conference games in three weeks. When North Carolina faces the undefeated ACC-leading Panthers (5-0, 2-0), it'll be doing so against a new quarterback.
During Friday's 35-33 win at Virginia Tech, Pitt learned star quarterback Mason Heintschel tore his ACL and will be out for the rest of 2026.
Before his season-ending, third-quarter injury, Heintschel tied himself with Miami quarterback Darian Mensah for the ACC lead in touchdown passes.
As a result of this unfortunate injury, the Tar Heels will likely face veteran journeyman Holden Geriner, who relieved Heintschel on Friday in Blacksburg. Geriner anchored the Panthers' comeback, throwing for 78 yards and a touchdown.
Playing against a backup quarterback should be easier...right? Not if you're UNC. North Carolina fans might get flashbacks to the 2022 regular season finale, when Ben Finley threw for nearly 300 yards and a pair of touchdowns in NC State's 30-27 win.
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The Tar Heels struggled against Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr , who totaled five touchdowns. Before Saturday, UNC's pass defense largely kept Clemson, ETSU and TCU in check.
Will North Carolina be prepared to face a Pitt offense with another new quarterback? If the Tar Heels can reach Geriner, their defense will positively impact the outcome.
UNC Chapel Hill junior linebacker Cedric Gray makes a tackle in the second half of the game against Notre Dame at the Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. on Sept. 24, 2022. The Tar Heels went on to lose 45-32 to the Fighting Irish, moving to 3-1 on the season.
Uncvnd 9 24 22 Lj 012
(Luke Johnson, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (27) with the ball after intecepting a pass as North Carolina Tar Heels running back Jaylen McGill (27) defends in the first quaret at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) looks to pass as Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Francis Brewu (7) defends in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Shamar Easter (84) scores a touchdopwn as Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Keon Keeley (11) defends in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels fans react after a touchdown in the first quarer at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) hands the ball off to running back Jaylen McGill (27) in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive back Tre Miller (6) tries to intercept the ball in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Cooper Flanagan (87) is unable to catch a pass on fourth down in the end zone as North Carolina Tar Heels defensive back Peyton Waters (7) defends in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive back Peyton Waters (7) reacts in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; DUPLICATE North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) looks to pass in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Jelani Thurman (45) reacts in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman with North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick after the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels cheerleader performs in the second half at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick on the sidelines in the second half at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels fans watch the game in the second half at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Jaden Greathouse (1) attempts a touchdown catch as North Carolina Tar Heels defensive back Peyton Waters (7) defends in the second half at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick reacts in the second half at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick reacts in the second half at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick reacts in the second half at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Nolan James Jr. (2) socres a touchdown as North Carolina Tar Heels defensive back Jaiden Patterson (18) defends in the second half at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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UNC Football: Photos from loss to Notre Dame
UNC Chapel Hill junior linebacker Cedric Gray makes a tackle in the second half of the game against Notre Dame at the Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. on Sept. 24, 2022. The Tar Heels went on to lose 45-32 to the Fighting Irish, moving to 3-1 on the season.
Uncvnd 9 24 22 Lj 012
(Luke Johnson, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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UNC Football: Photos from loss to Notre Dame
UNC Chapel Hill junior linebacker Cedric Gray makes a tackle in the second half of the game against Notre Dame at the Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. on Sept. 24, 2022. The Tar Heels went on to lose 45-32 to the Fighting Irish, moving to 3-1 on the season.
Uncvnd 9 24 22 Lj 012
(Luke Johnson, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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UNC Football: Photos from loss to Notre Dame
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (27) with the ball after intecepting a pass as North Carolina Tar Heels running back Jaylen McGill (27) defends in the first quaret at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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UNC Football: Photos from loss to Notre Dame
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) looks to pass as Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Francis Brewu (7) defends in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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UNC Football: Photos from loss to Notre Dame
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Shamar Easter (84) scores a touchdopwn as Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Keon Keeley (11) defends in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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UNC Football: Photos from loss to Notre Dame
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels fans react after a touchdown in the first quarer at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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UNC Football: Photos from loss to Notre Dame
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) hands the ball off to running back Jaylen McGill (27) in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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UNC Football: Photos from loss to Notre Dame
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive back Tre Miller (6) tries to intercept the ball in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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UNC Football: Photos from loss to Notre Dame
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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UNC Football: Photos from loss to Notre Dame
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Cooper Flanagan (87) is unable to catch a pass on fourth down in the end zone as North Carolina Tar Heels defensive back Peyton Waters (7) defends in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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UNC Football: Photos from loss to Notre Dame
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive back Peyton Waters (7) reacts in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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UNC Football: Photos from loss to Notre Dame
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; DUPLICATE North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) looks to pass in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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UNC Football: Photos from loss to Notre Dame
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Jelani Thurman (45) reacts in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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UNC Football: Photos from loss to Notre Dame
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman with North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick after the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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UNC Football: Photos from loss to Notre Dame
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels cheerleader performs in the second half at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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UNC Football: Photos from loss to Notre Dame
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick on the sidelines in the second half at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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UNC Football: Photos from loss to Notre Dame
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels fans watch the game in the second half at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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UNC Football: Photos from loss to Notre Dame
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Jaden Greathouse (1) attempts a touchdown catch as North Carolina Tar Heels defensive back Peyton Waters (7) defends in the second half at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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UNC Football: Photos from loss to Notre Dame
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick reacts in the second half at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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UNC Football: Photos from loss to Notre Dame
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick reacts in the second half at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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UNC Football: Photos from loss to Notre Dame
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick reacts in the second half at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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UNC Football: Photos from loss to Notre Dame
Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Nolan James Jr. (2) socres a touchdown as North Carolina Tar Heels defensive back Jaiden Patterson (18) defends in the second half at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC to face new quarterback in October 10 road battle with Pitt
