No. 3 Notre Dame beats UNC 37-26, reaches 5-0

No. 3 Notre Dame defeated North Carolina 37-26 in Chapel Hill on Oct. 3, 2026, improving to 5-0 and extending its all-time series lead to 22-2 as UNC fell to 2-2. North Carolina led 7-0 after Billy Edwards hit Jordan Shipp for 44 yards and Shamar Easter scored on a 6-yard screen. Two first-quarter Edwards interceptions set up touchdowns for C.J. Carr and a 21-7 Irish lead. Jelani Thurman’s 14-yard touchdown catch with 21 seconds left in the half made it 21-14. Jaden Jefferson’s 98-yard kickoff return opened the second half at 21-20 after the PAT snap was dropped. Notre Dame answered with long scoring drives and 166 rushing yards after halftime. Carr threw four touchdown passes and ran for one, finishing 21 of 29 for 234 yards. Walton ran for 120 yards on 23 carries. Edwards went 17 of 28 for 208 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. Shipp caught eight passes for a career-high 109 yards. Belichick called it hard-fought, said UNC competed, and said they missed opportunities and needed more consistency. Sports Illustrated questioned a Notre Dame fourth-down attempt at the goal line instead of a field goal. The Irish pulled away for the win. CONTESTED: Jordan Faison receptions — wire summary 9; Sports Illustrated 8; both list 132 yards and two touchdowns.