PITTSBURGH (AP) — Billy Edwards Jr. threw a 75-yard touchdown pass in the second half and North Carolina knocked off No. 25 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 down the seam for the go-ahead touchdown, giving coach Bill Belichick his first win against a ranked opponent at North Carolina.
It was North Carolina’s (3-2, 1-1) first win against a ranked opponent since defeating No. 25 Miami in 2023 and the Tar Heels’ first ranked road win since taking down No. 9 Miami in 2020.
Edwards completed 18-of-26 passes for 249 yards with touchdowns to Easter and Jelani Thurman, and a pair of interceptions. Demon June also rushed for a touchdown and Jordan Shipp caught six passes for 93 yards.
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 collegiate start with sophomore quarterback Mason Heintschel out for the rest of the season after tearing the ACL in his right knee during a victory against Virginia Tech last week.
Geriner sailed a fourth-down pass that was dropped by a wide-open Cataurus Hicks. Pitt later turned the ball over on downs at the North Carolina 21 as the Tar Heels held on for the win.
La’Vell Wright scored two rushing touchdowns for Pitt.
It was Belichick’s first time at Acrisure Stadium since a 21-18 New England Patriots win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Dec. 7, 2023. Belichick went 8-3 as a NFL head coach in Acrisure Stadium, including wins in two AFC championship games.
Pitt honors its past
There was a moment of silence before the national anthem and a video tribute after the first television timeout 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 a coach. Ditka passed away at the age of 86 on Friday.
Pitt also celebrated the 50th anniversary of its 1976 national championship team.
Ditka, a three-sport standout at Pitt, led the Panthers in receiving as a tight end from 1958-60, while also playing as a defensive end and punter.
Pitt retired Ditka’s No. 89 jersey in 1997.
The takeaway
North Carolina: The Tar Heels flirted with a marquee win at home last week when they pulled within one against Notre Dame in the second half. But they were able to put it all together with a strong second half on Saturday.
Pitt: The Panthers were unable to start 6-0 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 attempting to rally.
Up next
North Carolina: Travels to face Duke on Oct. 17.
Pitt: Visits Boston College on Oct. 17.
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