Sports · American Football · 2 hrs ago
Miami rallies past North Carolina 38-35 to stay unbeaten
Top-ranked Miami beat North Carolina 38-35 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, to remain undefeated.
The Hurricanes trailed in a close game before Mark Fletcher Jr. scored a go-ahead touchdown on a fourth-down run with 7:49 left.
Miami’s defense forced a fumble soon after, helping the team protect its lead.
Quarterback Darian Mensah then threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Malachi Toney, putting Miami ahead 38-28 with 2:33 remaining.
North Carolina scored again and threatened a comeback, but Miami recovered an onside kick and ran out the clock.
Miami improved to 8-0 overall and 6-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, while North Carolina fell to 4-4.
The Hurricanes next face No.
5 Notre Dame on the road in a marquee matchup.
No. 1 Miami beat North Carolina 38-35 to remain unbeaten.
Mark Fletcher Jr. scored the go-ahead touchdown on a fourth-down run with 7:49 left.
Miami’s defense recovered a fumble late in the game, helping the Hurricanes hold on.
North Carolina had two onside-kick recoveries nullified by penalties before Miami recovered a kick and ran out the clock.
Miami improved to 8-0 overall and 6-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
- Who
- No. 1 Miami and North Carolina, led by coach Bill Belichick.
- What
- Miami won 38-35 after rallying past North Carolina.
- When
- Saturday night, October 31, 2026.
- Where
- Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
- Why
- Miami won the game to remain unbeaten; North Carolina was trying to complete an upset.
Miami Hurricanes
North Carolina Tar Heels
Game outcome
Miami Hurricanes
Miami won 38-35 and remained unbeaten.
North Carolina Tar Heels
North Carolina lost by three points after keeping the game close.
Late-game play
Miami Hurricanes
Miami recovered an onside kick and was able to kneel out the clock.
North Carolina Tar Heels
North Carolina tried to regain possession with onside kicks, but two recoveries were negated by penalties.
North Carolina led 28-24.
Mark Fletcher Jr. scored on a fourth-down, 2-yard run to put Miami ahead.
Justin Scott recovered a fumble forced by Marquise Lightfoot.
Darian Mensah threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Malachi Toney, extending Miami’s lead to 38-28.
North Carolina’s two onside-kick recoveries had been negated by penalties, and Miami recovered a kick before kneeling out the clock.
- Final score
- Miami 38, North Carolina 35
- Miami record
- 8-0 overall, 6-0 in the ACC
- North Carolina record
- 4-4 overall, 2-3 in the ACC
- Go-ahead score
- Mark Fletcher Jr., 2-yard run on fourth down
- Fumble recovery
- Justin Scott, with 5:33 left
- Stadium
- Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill, North Carolina