The best quarterback on the field usually wins the game.
Billy Edwards Jr. certainly isn’t a great quarterback. But he has now led Carolina to its third win of the season and could help Bill Belichick land his first bowl bid as a college coach, also enhancing his chance of surviving his second season and returning for his third at another $10 million from the university.
Since his son Steve resigned from the program and Belichick is coordinating with his other son Brian, the Tar Heels are showing signs of the kinds of defenses the “Hoodie” had with the New England Patriots. Pittsburgh was ranked among the top three rushing teams in college football and started that way in the first half, but the Heels held the Panthers to 39 yards on the ground in the second half when they took control of the game and won 21-17.
It seems like offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino was waiting for the perfect spot to unveil his secret pass play that was the difference on Saturday. Jordan Shipp, who had already made six deep catches, cut to the sideline — leaving transfer Shamar Easter alone down the seam for a 75-yard touchdown pass. It was the longest of the season for the Tar Heels and it turned out to be the winning score that knocked No. 25 Pitt from the ranks of the unbeatens. It was the perfect call at the perfect time, since Carolina was in the midst of being held to 20 net yards rushing for the game.
Easter seems like the perfect third banana behind Shipp and fellow tight end Jelani Thurman, who also had six catches on the day. The 230-pound tight end and transfer from Arkansas, Easter played sparingly in Belichick’s first season, catching only two passes. But his seventh in 2026 will be long remembered for his execution and Edwards’ critical pass after Pitt had regained the lead in the fourth quarter.
The Panthers were held to one touchdown in the second-half and failed to convert on four fourth downs when they had a chance to pull off the victory and notch their sixth of the season. They were playing with backup quarterback Holden Geriner, who looked good in the first half but appeared completely spooked by the Tar Heels defense in the second.
Linebacker Derek McDonald and breakout D-line star Xavier Lewis combined for 24 tackles after the Panthers held possession for more than 22 minutes in the first half. But Carolina was rejuvenated by trailing only by 3 points at break, as both quarterbacks traded touchdown passes and interceptions in the back and forth drama that went down to virtually the last possession. The now 3-2 Tar Heels will avoid facing their second straight undefeated ACC team, thanks to Duke losing to Georgia Tech and QB Alberto Mendoza in Atlanta on Saturday.
Edwards gets a break by not having to face former Blue Devils’ quarterback Darien Mensah, who jumped at the chance to transfer to Miami (and is expected to face the Heels on Halloween). Instead, Edwards matches up with San Jose State transfer Walker Eget, who is 13th in the ACC in passing — one spot below UNC’s QB. Eget has only thrown one interception on the season compared to five for Edwards, who threw two picks at Pitt along with his two touchdown passes. That feels more like an opponent that Edwards can outplay.
It wasn’t all roses for the Tar Heels. Kaleb Cost, UNC senior defensive back, was injured on Pittsburgh’s opening drive when he crashed into the wall behind the end zone where a thin layer of padding covered the concrete. He threw his helmet into the stands in frustration and hit an unidentified woman in the front row. Cost did not return to the game after playing only eight snaps. Meanwhile, junior cornerback Tre Miller left the game in the third quarter after providing good coverage. UNC’s secondary is thin on upperclassmen and proven contributors, so those injuries could be costly.
But for Belichick, it marks a key result: his first win over a ranked team and first win against a conference “contender.” He deserves credit for the adjustments made at halftime. He deserves credit for hiring Petrino and quickly moving on from the mistake of promoting Freddie Kitchens. He deserves credit for bringing in players like Thurman and Easter, and retaining Shipp. Saturday was the type of game Belichick and Carolina fans alike want to be winning consistently.
On the telecast, a smiling Belichick was asked post-game how he’s going to celebrate his first victory over a ranked college team. His response was a wry and truthful, “Get ready for Duke.” Many fans interpreted this as a combo of his famous line after being blown out by Kansas City, “We’re on to Cincinnati,” and what he claims were the first words he was taught to say as a child living in Chapel Hill, “Beat Duke!”
Belichick and the Heels found a way to get a good win. Now it’s about finding another.
Featured image via AP Photo/David Dermer.
Art Chansky is a veteran journalist who has written ten books, including best-sellers “Game Changers,” “Blue Bloods,” and “The Dean’s List.” He has contributed to WCHL for decades, having made his first appearance as a student in 1971. His “Sports Notebook” commentary airs on 97.9 The Hill WCHL and his “Art’s Angle” opinion column runs weekly on Chapelboro during football and basketball seasons.Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.
