PITTSBURGH (AP) — Billy Edwards Jr. threw a 75-yard touchdown pass in the second half and North Carolina beat 25th-ranked Pittsburgh 21-17 on Saturday.
Pitt had just taken a 17-14 lead when the Tar Heels immediately responded. Edwards hit Shamar Easter for a 75-yard score for the go-ahead touchdown, giving coach Bill Belichick his first victory against a ranked opponent in North Carolina.
“Every play is designed to be an 80-yard touchdown,” Edwards said. “They obviously don’t all go that way, but it was really nice to see Shamar catch up and run with it.”
It was North Carolina’s (3-2, 1-1) first win against a ranked opponent since beating No. 25 Miami in 2023 and the Tar Heels’ first road win since beating No. 9 Miami in 2020.
Edwards completed 18 of 26 passes for 249 yards with touchdowns to Easter and Jelani Thurman, as well as two interceptions. Demon June also rushed for a touchdown and Jordan Shipp caught six passes for 93 yards.
“It’s great to come here and win,” Belichick said. “Really proud of our team, we made some great plays and it was just a solid team effort all around.” »
Holden Geriner, a fifth-year senior, completed 27 of 44 passes for 219 yards with two interceptions for Pitt (5-1, 2-1).
Geriner, a 23-year-old transfer from Auburn, made his first college debut with sophomore quarterback Mason Heintschel out for the remainder of the season after tearing the ACL in his right knee in a win over Virginia Tech last week.
“Obviously his first start…he’s going to get better and better with the experiences,” Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said. “I have a lot of confidence in him. I was happy with the way he played in his first start.”
Geriner completed a fourth-down pass that was dropped by a wide-open Cataurus Hicks. Pitt then turned the ball over on downs at the North Carolina 21 as the Tar Heels held on for the victory.
La’Vell Wright scored two rushing touchdowns for Pitt.
“It’s a game,” Narduzzi said. “Whoever plays this championship match will suffer a defeat. All our goals are right in front of us.”
It was Belichick’s first time at Acrisure Stadium since a 21-18 New England Patriots victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 7, 2023. Belichick went 8-3 as an NFL head coach at Acrisure Stadium, including wins in two AFC Championship Games.
“A lot of memories from when I got back here, mostly good, but we got waxed a few times,” Belichick said. “It was great to come here and win, but most importantly I’m proud of the players and the way they played.”
Pitt honors its past
There was a moment of silence before the national anthem and a video tribute after the first television break to honor Mike Ditka, the Pitt All-American who went on to a Hall of Fame career and led the Chicago Bears to a Super Bowl title as coach. Ditka died Friday at the age of 86.
Pitt also celebrated the 50th anniversary of its 1976 national championship team.
Ditka, a three-sport standout at Pitt, led the Panthers as a tight end from 1958 to 1960, while also playing as a defensive end and punter.
Pitt retired Ditka’s No. 89 jersey in 1997.
Takeaways
North Carolina: The Tar Heels flirted with a marquee victory at home last week by coming within a goal against Notre Dame in the second half. But they managed to put it all together with a strong second half on Saturday.
Pitt: The Panthers couldn’t get off to a 6-0 start for the first time since 2024 and the second time since 1982. Geriner showed flashes in his first start at Pitt, but struggled at times in the second half with the Panthers trying to rally.
To be continued
North Carolina: Travels to face Duke on October 17.
Pitt: Visits Boston College on October 17.
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