There’s no denying how improved the 2026 UNC football program is from a season ago. Just look at last weekend as a prime example, with North Carolina delivering head coach Bill Belichick the first ranked win of his collegiate career.
The Tar Heels generated their own fourth quarter comeback, upsetting 25th-ranked Pitt 21-17, behind timely offense and a late defensive stand. UNC (3-2, 1-1 ACC) linebacker Derek McDonald and defensive lineman Xavier Lewis each totaled 12 tackles, with Lewis setting a career-high, while defensive back Greg Smith added eight tackles (five solo).
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Saturday’s effort were simply continuations of strong season for this North Carolina defensive trio. Lewis leads the ACC with 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks, McDonald is second in the conference with 49 tackles and Smith is fifth with three interceptions.
McDonald also leads the ACC with 9.8 tackles per game. Lewis has 1.9 TFLs per game, which leads the ACC and ranks second nationally, while his 1.3 sacks per game also lead the ACC and rank fourth nationally.
