University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Follow Live: Final | Pitt Football 17 vs. North Carolina 21
10/10/2026 12:00:00 AM | Football
RECAP
North Carolina handed Pitt its first loss of the season on Saturday, beating the Panthers 21-17 in Holden Geriner's first career start. Pitt's defense made plenty of noise and gave the offense chances, but with the exception of a 75-yard touchdown, it couldn't do enough to close the game out.
Pitt jumped out early when La'Vell Wright ran in the final two yards to cap a 75-yard drive for a 7-0 lead, and Antonio Chadha added a 41-yard field goal to make it 10-0. The Panthers held the Tar Heels scoreless through the first quarter. Cole Woodson then picked off Billy Edwards for the first interception of his career in the third quarter. North Carolina answered with Demon June's one-yard touchdown run to take a 14-10 lead.
Geriner's day had its rough patches, with two interceptions, but he came up big in the fourth quarter. His 40-yard throw to Malik Knight set up Wright's touchdown run on a direct snap, and Chadha's kick put Pitt back on top 17-14. North Carolina responded quickly when Edwards found Shamar Easter for a 75-yard touchdown on the first play of the next drive to retake the lead, 21-17.
Shadarian Harrison grabbed a tipped pass for Pitt's second interception of the game and gave the Panthers the ball at the UNC 41. They weren't able to cash in off the interception but had one last change with 2:44 to play. Two incomplete passes from Geriner ended the comeback bid and North Carolina held on.
Geriner finished 27-of-42 for 219 yards with two interceptions. Damon Ferguson Jr. led Pitt on the ground with 49 rushing yards, and Carson Kent with 61 receiving yards. Pitt actually outgained North Carolina 369-271. Cruce Brookins led with 11 total tackles, while Nick James, Alex Sanford Jr. and DeMarco Ward pitched in with sacks.
FOURTH QUARTER
6:31: Shadarian Harrison grabs a tipped pass for Pitt's second interception of the game, and the Panthers have the ball at the UNC 41.
12:43: North Carolina responded quickly when Edwards found Shamar Easter for the 75-yard touchdown on the first play of the drive. Pitt trails 21-17.
Holden Geriner launched the ball 40 yards to Malik Knight to put Pitt in the red zone. La'Vell Wright finished the drive by taking the direct snap and running it in for a touchdown. Antonio Chadha's kick is good, and Pitt is back on top 17-14.
THIRD QUARTER
0:22 North Carolina takes the lead. Demon June runs it in from one yard out for a touchdown, giving the Tar Heels a 14-10 advantage.
9:02: Another interception for Holden Geriner. The pass was intended for Blue Hicks, but Tre Miller picked it off. North Carolina takes over at the Pitt 32. Geriner is now 15-of-24 for 99 yards and two interceptions.
13:39: Cole Woodson picks off Edwards for the first interception of his career, putting the Pitt offense in great position, 31 yards from the end zone.
12:01: On the next drive, Geriner's throw was intercepted in the end zone by Gregory Smith III, who returned it 25 yards.
HALFTIME
SECOND QUARTER
00:00 Nick James and Alex Sanford Jr. combine for the sack to end the half. That's two sacks on the day for the Panthers. Holden Geriner went 15-of-21 for 99 yards. Damon Ferguson Jr. leads the team with 40 rushing yards, and Blue Hicks has 36 receiving yards. Pitt leads 10-7 at the half.
0:17: Antonio Chadha's 56-yard field goal attempt is short. Pitt holds on to a 10-7 lead.
At the break: 50th Anniversary of Tony Dorsett's Heisman Trophy
5:32: Pitt may have gotten out of that if it weren't for the penalty on Jeremiah Marcelin. Ultimately, Billy Edwards Jr. found Jelani Thurman for a 7-yard touchdown pass, and it's now 10-7.
7:46: Pitt couldn't quite get into the red zone, but Antonio Chadha comes on for a 41-yard field goal. Damon Ferguson did a lot of work on that drive, adding at least 37 yards to move the ball. Panthers lead 10-0.
FIRST QUARTER
00:00: Pitt cashed in on just one touchdown, but held the Tar Heels scoreless through the first 15 minutes. The Panthers are outgaining North Carolina 96-25. Holden Geriner is 6-of-9 for 35 yards in his first career start, and Cruce Brookins leads the defense with four tackles.
6:08: DeMarco Ward was subbed in with North Carolina facing third down, and he immediately blitzed to sack Billy Edwards and kill the drive.
9:49: After a pass interference call on North Carolina, Pitt found itself at the two-yard line with a fresh set of downs. La'Vell Wright ran in the final two yards to cap a 75-yard drive. It was a huge effort from the running back room to move the ball down the field. Antonio Chadha's kick is good, and the Panthers take a 7-0 lead.
North Carolina wins the coin toss and defers. Pitt will receive the opening kick.
STARTERS
GETTIN' READY
PROWLIN'
PREGAME FESTIVITIES
INJURY REPORT
With kickoff approaching, the ACC has released its final availability report for Pitt's matchup with North Carolina, and the Panthers will play their first game without starting quarterback Mason Heintschel.
OUT:
QB Mason Heintschel
Heintschel is done for the season after tearing his ACL against Virginia Tech. Holden Geriner was named the starter earlier this week and takes over for the first time.
DE Zach Crothers
Crothers will miss his second straight game, which puts more on the plates of Isaiah Neal, Jimmy Scott and Jaeden Moore up front. Keep an eye on Josh Pittman, who's coming off his first career sack, and Reston Lehman, who could see extra reps as well.
TE Elijah Lagg
Lagg also misses his second straight game, leaving the tight end room thin. Carson Kent, Pitt's top tight end this season, is still available.
S Allen Bryant
Bryant is unavailable for the first time this season. He took a lot of snaps while Cruce Brookins was out earlier in the year, so his absence is a notable one for a safety group that could get even thinner.
GAME-TIME DECISIONS:
S Josh Guerrier
Guerrier is second on the team with 24 tackles, behind only fellow safety Brookins, who is available. If Guerrier can't go, safety gets very thin. Tony Forney and Cole Woodson are expected to step in regardless, and especially if Guerrier is ruled out.
LB Alex Sanford Jr.
Sanford has been very productive, ranking fourth on the team with 21 tackles, so he'd be a loss. The linebacker room is one of the deepest on the roster though, and Damarco Ward and Cam Lindsey would see more snaps if he's unable to go.
WR Malik Knight
Knight is a game-time decision after missing the past two games. He still might not play, but if he does, Pitt gets one of its starting receivers back. He caught the team's first touchdown of the season.
GOOD NEWS:
CB Raion Strader
Strader isn't listed on the availability report. He was listed as probable on yesterday's injury report, which still left about a 25% chance he would be unavailable. He has been a key piece of the defense with 18 tackles, two pass breakups and an interception.
THE SCRIPT: PITT VS. NORTH CAROLINA
THE 1976 CHAMPS
PITT VS. NORTH CAROLINA | TRAILER
UNIFORM COMBO
PREVIEW
Pitt takes its unbeaten record on the road Friday night when the Panthers face Virginia Tech at Lane Stadium. Both teams enter the 7 p.m. kickoff at 4-0 overall and 1-0 in ACC play, joining Duke and Miami as the conference's four remaining unbeaten teams.
The Panthers and Hokies will meet for the 24th time, with Pitt winning three of the last four matchups. Pitt's last trip to Lane Stadium resulted in a 28-7 Panther victory in 2021.
#24/25 PITT vs. NORTH CAROLINA
October 10, 2026 • Noon
Acrisure Stadium (51,416/Natural Grass) • Pittsburgh, Pa.
ESPN • 93.7 The Fan • Pitt Panthers Radio Network
PittsburghPanthers.com • @Pitt_FB
