CHAPEL HILL — UNC football lost 31-30 in overtime against Syracuse at Kenan Stadium.
Running back Demon June caught the go-ahead touchdown pass from quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. on the first possession of overtime, but the Tar Heels (4-3, 2-2 ACC) were unable to finish as the Orange (3-4, 1-4) took its first lead on the final play of the game, a two-point conversion by the slimmest of margins.
Here’s our report card for the Tar Heels vs. Duke.
Offense grade: C
UNC quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. got off to a fast start by completing his first 11 passes, but he cooled down after that. The Tar Heels found most of their success moving forward in the run game with Jaylen McGill and Demon June. UNC wasn't able to finish in the red zone on several possessions, allowing the Orange to hang around. Edwards, June and Jordan Shipp made the biggest plays in overtime, but UNC couldn't finish.
Defense grade: D
UNC did a good job keeping the Orange's passing attack in check until the fourth quarter. Umari Hatcher only had three catches for 27 yards before a 75-yard touchdown catch early in the fourth quarter. The Tar Heels weren't as sharp in the second half, unable to finish in the fourth quarter and overtime.
Special teams grade: B
Rece Verhoff made three field goals and the Tar Heels avoided a big mistake in the kicking game, with Aeron Burrell able to handle punt duties after exiting late at Duke.
Coaching grade: C
The players didn't come through in the fourth quarter and overtime against Syracuse, but there's not much that could have been done on the coaching side of things.
Game MVP: Calvin Russell
The Syracuse receiver had a touchdown and two-point conversion to complete the comeback for the Orange.
Overall team grade: D
The Tar Heels had all the momentum going into a home game, but an inability to finish against Syracuse has the Tar Heels in a tough spot entering a tough Halloween matchup with Miami.
Rodd Baxley covers North Carolina Tar Heels athletics for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding UNC? Send them to rbaxley@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: UNC football report card vs Syracuse: Grading Tar Heels loss to Orange