Oct 4, 2025; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Virginia Cavaliers quarterback Chandler Morris (4) seems to be to move in opposition to the Louisville Cardinals through the second half at L&N Federal Credit score Union Stadium. Virginia defeated Louisville 30-27. Necessary Credit score: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Photographs No. 16 Virginia has discovered easy methods to navigate late-game conditions through the previous month.
North Carolina lastly had a sampling of a decent end in a recreation with an influence convention opponent, but it surely did not finish effectively.
Now the groups are set to fulfill Saturday afternoon in Chapel Hill, N.C., the place Virginia has a lot at stake as one of many Atlantic Coast Convention’s front-runners.
Virginia (6-1, 3-0 ACC) is bowl eligible for the primary time beneath fourth-year coach Tony Elliott.
North Carolina (2-4, 0-2) is on a three-game shedding streak that included a blowout defeat to Clemson on Oct. 4 and spiraled into an off week by which coach Invoice Belichick remained in information cycles due to what he later claimed to be false experiences about him inquiring a couple of buyout.
The Cavaliers have received 5 video games in a row and would be the first ranked group to face the Tar Heels this 12 months.
“This has actually been a powerful string that they are on,” Belichick stated of Virginia. “Performed very well in some vital conditions in video games, and that is been the distinction for them.”
Elliott stated North Carolina remains to be a piece in progress however undoubtedly is harmful.
“It is 12 months 1, and he has 70 new guys on his roster, (and he is) making the transition (from) the NFL to school,” Elliott stated of Belichick. “… However what you’re seeing, is you are seeing his group getting higher.”
The early discuss this week was about Virginia quarterback Chandler Morris reportedly in search of to hitch UNC through the offseason, when he was in search of a switch vacation spot. That is earlier than he landed with the Cavaliers.
“I do not know the place that got here from,” Belichick stated of the reporting associated to Morris’ offseason pursuits.
Morris is specializing in the matchup.
“I believe (North Carolina) is crucial recreation, simply because it is the following recreation,” he stated. “That is my mentality. I do not actually care who it’s we’re going through.”
Morris has accomplished 68.7% of his passes, with 11 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.
Virginia has received shut video games in every of its final three outings, together with Saturday’s 22-20 dwelling resolution in opposition to Washington State that got here with a game-winning security. The 2 earlier video games ended with additional time victories.
“What you are seeing is our guys discovering a technique to make a play to win a recreation and eliminating the errors to lose the sport,” Elliott stated. “If we are able to keep poised and composed in these moments, we do not make the vital mistake.”
North Carolina might have hassle maintaining with Virginia. The Cavaliers common 40 factors per recreation, whereas the Tar Heels examine in at 18.7.
North Carolina fell final week at ACC foe Cal, doomed by a late-game fumble close to the purpose line when it appeared the Tar Heels would take the lead. Virginia has but to lose a fumble this season.
Tar Heels quarterback Gio Lopez has thrown for 3 touchdowns and three interceptions this 12 months.
Even with the entire convention membership modifications and varied scheduling codecs, this sequence has been preserved. This would be the a hundred and thirtieth assembly between the groups, with the Tar Heels main 66-59-4.
There was an upset the final time the groups met in Chapel Hill, with Drake Maye as quarterback for then-No. 10 North Carolina. Virginia received 31-27 in 2023.
–Area Stage Media
