No. 1 Miami defeated North Carolina 38–35 on Saturday night at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill.
Mark Fletcher Jr. scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 2-yard run with 7:49 left in the fourth quarter. The play came on fourth down and tied Fletcher’s program career rushing touchdown record.
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Miami’s defense then forced a turnover. Marquise Lightfoot stripped North Carolina quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. from behind as Edwards attempted a pass. Justin Scott recovered the fumble with 5:33 remaining.
Lightfoot said Edwards “held the ball longer than usual before throwing,” allowing Lightfoot to reach him.
Miami extended its lead on the next possession. Darian Mensah threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Malachi Toney, making it 38–28 with 2:33 left.
North Carolina cut the deficit to 38–35 and attempted an onside kick in the final minute. Miami recovered it after two prior UNC recoveries were nullified by penalties.
Edwards threw for 341 yards and four touchdowns — a season high — with two going to tight end Jelani Thurman. UNC sustained long drives all night, including a 16-play, 8½-minute touchdown drive.
Miami’s defense allowed 35 points, its highest total in regulation this season. Coach Mario Cristobal said zone coverage lacked detail, the team did not swarm to the ball consistently, tackling was inconsistent, and Miami got beaten in man coverage.
North Carolina fell to 0–12 against No. 1–ranked teams. Coach Bill Belichick called the performance “disappointing” after back-to-back home losses — one in overtime to Syracuse last week.
Miami improved to 8–0 overall and 6–0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. UNC dropped to 4–4 overall and 2–3 in the ACC.
Miami plays at No. 5 Notre Dame next Saturday. UNC visits UConn next Saturday.
Photo: Hameltion / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
More: NCAAF · North Carolina Tar Heels · Miami Hurricanes
