North Carolina vs. Notre Dame Postgame Notes

• The matchup was Carolina’s 45th all-time versus a top-five opponent in the Associated Press Poll.

• Quarterback Billy Edwards ended the game 17-28 for 208 yards, along with three touchdown passes and two interceptions. All three of Edwards’ touchdown passes were caught by tight ends.

• Saturday was Edwards eighth career game with two-or-more touchdowns, and his second career game with three touchdowns through the air.

• Jordan Shipp recorded the longest play from scrimmage for UNC this season, a 44-yard reception on the opening drive of the game. UNC’s previous longest was a Jelani Thurman 35-yard catch against TCU in the season opening win versus TCU.

• Shipp, a native of Charlotte, posted a career best 109 yards receiving Saturday, on a season-high seven catches. Shipp’s previous season best was six catches two weeks ago at Clemson.

• The Tar Heel receiver is the first to post 100-or-more receiving yards this season. Shipp is the first Tar Heel with 100-plus yards through the air since Kobe Paysour’s 101 yards against California a season ago.

• Thurman hauled in two receiving touchdowns, his first career multi-touchdown effort. Additionally, his five catches were a career best for the tight end.

• On Carolina’s first offensive drive of the day, Shamar Easter posted his first career touchdown reception, on a six-yard pass from Edwards.

• Just before halftime, UNC posted a 97-yard touchdown drive capped off by Thurman, on 15 plays. The drive was Carolina’s third 90-plus yard scoring drive of the year (two versus ETSU), and was the Tar Heels’ longest drive this season in plays (15) and time of possession (7:13). On the drive, Edwards completed a combined five passes to Easter and Thurman for 59 yards.

• The Tar Heels posted 77 yards on the ground.

• Linebacker Derek McDonald posted 12 total tackles, a career-high, along with a season best five solo tackles.

• Fellow linebacker Jonathan Agumadu’s seven tackles were a career best.

• Defensive lineman Melkart Abou Jaoude made his first appearance since UNC’s season-opening win over TCU.

• Kicker Rece Verhoff made his season debut for the Tar Heels.

• Aeron Burrell posted his fifth career punt of 50-plus yards in the game.

• To open the second half, freshman Jaden Jefferson returned a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. The return was UNC’s first kick returned for a touchdown since Chris Culliver’s 95-yard score against UConn in the 2024 Fenway Bowl.

• Carolina travels for their second ACC road contest next weekend, visiting Pitt.

• Kickoff between the Tar Heels and Panthers from Acrisure Stadium is set for Noon, televised on ESPN or ESPN2.