University of Connecticut
North Carolina
11/4/2026 12:23:00โฏPM | Football
Media Coverage:
Television: CBS Sports Network
(pxp) Jordan Kent (analyst) Robert Turbin (sideline) Tiffany Blackmon
Radio: UConn Sports Network
Flagship Station -ย Fox Sports 97-9 FM (Hartford)
(pxp) Mike Crispino (analyst) Wayne Norman (sideline) MIchael Johnson
Affiliates - WAVZ 1300 AM (New Haven), WGCH 1490 AM (Greenwich), WILI 1400 AM/95.3FM, (Willimantic); WICH 1310 AM/94.5 FM (Norwich-New London)
Online: The Varsity Network App
SiriusXM 262 and on the SiriusXM App 972
Live Stats: UConn.Statbroadcast.com
Social Media: X: @UConnFootball ย Instagram: UConnFootball
Quick Hits
The North Carolina Tar Heels pay a visit to East Hartford on Saturday afternoon as the UConn Huskies play the first of three-straight at home in Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. Saturday's game kicks-off at 12:02 pm on CBS Sports Network.
Saturday's game is the fifth meeting all-time between the Huskies and Tar Heels and first since UConn posted a 27-14 win over UNC in the 2024 Wasabi Fenway Bowl. The Tar Heels have a 3-1 lead in the all-time series as their first trip back to the Rent since a 12-10 win in the 2009 season. This is the second match-up against an ACC team this season for the Huskies after falling 42-41 to Syracuse in overtime.
The Huskies will take on a UNC team lead by head coach Bill Belichick in his second season at the helm. Belichick will be coaching for the first time back in New England after his legendary NFL career with the Patriots. Former UConn head coach Bob Diaco will be returning to the Rent this weekend. Diaco, in his second season as the defensive line coach at UNC, was the Huskies head coach from 2014-16 and was 11-26.
The Huskies are looking to bounce back after a 35-26 loss on the road at Air Force last week. The Huskies fell behind 14-0 in the first quarter and couldn't complete the comeback as the Falcons used a pair of 10-plus minute second half scoring drives to secure the win. UConn quarterback Kalieb Osborne threw for 263 yards and a pair of touchdowns, hitting wide receiver Ryder Treadway and tight end Alex Godavitarne for their first touchdowns of the season. Running back Kenji Christian continues to be an explosive threat running and catching the ball. Christian had 68 yards and a score on just five carries and caught a pass for 18 yards as well.
Last Meeting vs. Tar Heels...
Dec. 28, 2024 -- UConn 27 UNC 14 -- Boston, MA
The UConn Huskies capped off the 2024 season with their ninth win of the season by defeating the North Carolina Tar Heels, 27-14, in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl at historic Fenway Park. UConn ran for 210 yards and were led by running back Mel Brown who finished with 96 yards.ย Fellow back Cam Edwards totaled 74 yards and a score. Quarterback Joe Fagnano, named the game's Offensive MVP finished 16-of-23 for 151 yards and two touchdowns. On defense, Pryce Yates was named the game's Defensive MVP finishing with six solo tackles, three for a loss including a sack. The Huskies held UNC to just 206 total yards, 96 rushing, and just 10 first downs.ย The Tar Heels failed to convert on third down (0-9) in the loss.
Scouting the Tar Heels...The North Carolina Tar Heels come in at 4-4 overall and 2-3 in the ACC after a 38-35 loss at home last weekend to the No. 1 ranked Miami Hurricanes. The Tar Heels have lost two-straight coming to the Rent. Quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. leads the UNC offense, completing 63.4 percent (149-255-5) of his passes on the year for 1,872 yards and 15 touchdowns. His top-two targets are receiver Jordan Ship and tight end Jelani Thurman. Ship is the team leader with 45 catches for 587 yards and three scores. He ranks 22nd in the nation in touchdown catches. Thurman has 38 catches this season for 461 yards and six touchdowns. His 38 receptions ranks sixth among all tight ends in the NCAA.ย On defense, linebacker Derek McDonald has a team-best 83 tackles, ranked fourth nationally (10.4 pg). Defensive lineman Xavier Lewis is ninth in the country in sacks with 7.0 on the year (0.88 pg). The Tar Heels are one of the least penalized teams in the country, ranking fourth in fewest penalty yards per game (32.4) and eighth in fewest penalties per game (4.3).
UConn vs. the ACC...The Huskies are 10-30 all-time against the ACC. UConn is 0-1 this season with an overtime loss to Syracuse at home. The Huskies went 2-1 against the conference last season, losing a tough 27-20 overtime game at Syracuse and posting a 38-23 win on the road at Boston College and a 37-34 win at home over Duke. UConn snapped a six-game skid against the conference with a win over North Carolina in the 2025 Wasabi Fenway Bowl. UConn is 3-2 against Duke, 2-2 against Virginia and 1-3 against Wake Forrest.ย The Huskies are 2-4 against Boston College since the Eagles joined the league in 2005 and 0-6 vs. Syracuse since the Orange jumped to the ACC in 2013.ย UConn has also faced Clemson (0-1), Georgia Tech (0-3), North Carolina (1-3) and NC State (0-4). The Huskies were 1-3 against Maryland when the Terrapins were a member of the conference through 2014.ย The Huskies have also faced Louisville, Miami, Pitt, SMU and Virginia Tech in their history but prior to those teams joining the ACC.ย The Huskies have never faced Cal, Florida State or Stanford.
