By R.L. Bynum
CHAPEL HILL — Billy Edwards Jr. said he had a good idea of what Miami’s defense would show North Carolina on Saturday night, partly because of a familiar name on the opposing coaching staff.
Edwards threw for 341 yards and a career-high four touchdowns in the 38–35 loss to the No. 1 Hurricanes. The Tar Heels converted 8 of 11 third downs and both of their fourth-down tries.
Edwards had a history with Miami defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman, who recruited him when Hetherman was the defensive coordinator at James Madison from 2019 to 2021. That background shaped how he expected the Hurricanes to attack.
Playing for Maryland in 2024 against Minnesota, when Hetherman was the Gophers’ defensive coordinator, Edwards was 19 of 35 for 201 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions.
“I knew he was going to come out, and they were going to give us different looks and present us with different issues that we were going to have to be ready for,” Edwards said.
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Edwards credited Miami for a sound game plan, even as his offense moved the ball and he completed 28 of 34 passes for a 205.4 passing rating. He had season-high PFF numbers: an 87.7 offensive grade and an 84.7 passing grade.
“Miami has a really good defense,” he said. “They had a really good plan. They obviously got us on a few things.”
UNC’s answer was to avoid the situations that Miami’s pressure would favor. Edwards said the Tar Heels rarely faced long yardage, which kept the playbook open and kept the offense on schedule.
“I don’t think we were ever in too many third-and-longs,” Edwards said. “For the most part, we did a good job of staying in third-and-ones, third-and-twos, fourth-and-ones, manageable conversion downs for us.”
First down was where that started, he said.
“I think we did a good job, really good job on first down of getting completions and making it second and short,” Edwards said. “That way we could try and take a shot.”
The approach carried into the red zone, where all four of Edwards’ touchdown passes came from 16 yards or closer. He said Miami’s coverage looks created chances for UNC’s receivers, and his job was to avoid forcing anything.
“They gave their guys opportunities to cover us, and it gave our guys opportunities to go in there and make plays,” Edwards said. “I just tried to trust them and keep my same tempo and trust my feet and just give them catchable balls.”
Edwards said his goal on those throws was simple.
“Not throw a perfect ball, but especially when you get down there, give them a high, on-line ball,” he said. “Just give the guys chances, and we were able to convert on some of those today.”
Photo courtesy of UNC Athletic Communications
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