Two UNC starters earn weekly honors for performances in win at Pitt

Five games, three wins, two upsets. That sentence describes none other than your UNC football team, which ended Pitt's udnefeated season with a come-from-behind, 21-17 win on Saturday.

North Carolina (3-2, 1-1 ACC) couldn't get anything going offensively during the opening quarter, while the Panthers (5-1, 2-1 ACC) moved the football at will. After halftime, the Tar Heels flipped a switch with their defense, which held Pitt in check late during that fourth quarter.

Thanks to UNC's defensive performance, two starters earned weekly honors. Defensive back Tre Miller earned himself a spot on PFF's National Team of the Week, while the ACC also named him defensive back of the week. For a second time this season, sophomore Xavier Lewis is the ACC's Defensive Lineman of the Week.

When Kaleb Cost left early due to injury, Miller was one of many Tar Heels who stepped up in Cost's absence. Miller recorded an interception and led North Carolina with two pass deflections, while totaling four tackles (two solo) and consistently generating the praise of ESPN's broadcast team.

National and ACC Honors for Tre Miller this week 🔥 pic.twitter.com/YCCRg3iV8W

— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) October 12, 2026

After a couple quiet weeks, Lewis showed his dominant self again vs. Pitt, tying with UNC starting linebacker Derek McDonald for a team-high 12 tackles (two solo). Lewis also deflected one pass generated one TFL and half a sack, stuffing the stat sheet and making life uncomfortable for Panthers QB Holden Geriner.

X is your ACC Defensive Lineman of the week 💪 pic.twitter.com/qmIBYkxjjg

— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) October 12, 2026

The Tar Heels get another strong conference test this coming weekend, traveling the short 30 minutes up 15-501 to face archrival Duke. The Blue Devils (4-1, 1-1 ACC) are coming off a tough, 28-25 loss at Georgia Tech and they'll be motivated for a third-straight Victory Bell win.

Miller and Lewis were North Carolina's two best defensive players last weekend. Will they step up again this coming Saturday?