Bill Belichick, North Carolina Pull Off Close Win Over No. 25 Pitt

Bill Belichick and the North Carolina Tar Heels improved to 3-2 with a major victory over the previously undefeated Pittsburgh Panthers. Pitt was without starting quarterback Mason Heintschel, who tore his ACL, ending his season.

The Panthers had Holden Geriner, but he didn't have the same success as Heintschel. The Tar Heels capitalized, forcing two interceptions and keeping Geriner and Pitt's offense in check.

The first half was defensive, with Pitt taking a 10-7 lead at the break. The Panthers got off to a strong start with a 12-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a two-yard touchdown run by La'Vell Wright.

North Carolina and Pitt combined for three straight punts after the initial score, before the Panthers had another successful drive in the second quarter, driving downfield for a field goal to take a 10-0 lead.

The Tar Heels immediately responded with a five-play, 75-yard drive, with Billy Edwards Jr. finding Jelani Thurman for a seven-yard touchdown.

Poor offense and defensive chaos defined the third quarter. Edwards was picked off on North Carolina's opening drive in the second half, and a few plays later, Geriner threw an interception of his own, giving the Tar Heels the ball right back.

North Carolina punted on the ensuing drive before Geriner threw another interception. The Tar Heels couldn't take advantage of another takeaway, as they punted once again.

North Carolina's offense settled down in their final drive of the third quarter, going 51 yards on 10 plays, with Demon June punching it in for a touchdown to give them a 14-10 lead.

Pitt responded with a touchdown of their own, as Wright rushed for his second touchdown of the game, giving the Panthers a 17-14 lead. It didn't take long for the Tar Heels to counter, as Edwards connected with Shamar Easter on the first play of the drive for a 75-yard touchdown.

After a brief offensive burst from both teams in the late third and early fourth quarters, the game returned to a defensive slugfest. North Carolina's offense finished with an interception and two punts, while Pitt punted once and turned the ball over on downs three times.

While it wasn't pretty, this was a big win for the Tar Heels after they started the season 2-0 before losses to the Clemson Tigers and Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Belichick and his team will look to carry this momentum into next week's matchup against the Duke Blue Devils.