Good, Bad and Ugly Report: Pittsburgh

You can understand if UNC fan was feeling a little angst about Saturday night’s game vs. Pittsburgh at Acrisure Stadium. On the road, where Carolina had lost two straight heartbreaking overtime games. Poor weather. A team struggling to find its offensive groove. Looking to go 4–0 for only the third time in the past 40 years. Stormtrooper uniforms, which never seem to work. All the elements were there for an Admiral Ackbar special — it’s a trap.

Heels off to best start in 26 years after magical Maye performance

PITTSBURGH — With Drake Maye digging into his bag of tricks and the defense digging in after a slow start, North Carolina is off to its best start in 26 years. Maye ran for two touchdowns and showed his improvisational skills with a left-handed touchdown pass as the No. 18 Tar Heels rolled to a 41–24 victory over Pittsburgh in their ACC opener for their best start since 1997, when Coach Mack Brown’s last team of his first stint also started 4–0.

Tar Heels in NFL: Howell rallies Washington to win; Ezeudu, McKethan get first NFL starts as Giants rally; Stewart has big game

Trailing 18 points in the first half, Sam Howell rallied the Washington Commanders to victory and showed the league his poise, accuracy and arm strength. Howell made a terrific pinpoint throw into double coverage to the end zone in the third quarter for a 30-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin to tie the game early in the second half. Washington held on for a 35–33 victory Sunday at Denver.

Tar Heels make jumps in both football polls after win over Minnesota

Poll voters who had doubts about North Carolina a week earlier were impressed after the Tar Heels’ 31–13 home victory over Minnesota. UNC (3–0) moved up three spots to No. 17 in the latest AP poll, the highest rank since it was No. 17 on Nov. 5 last season after a win over Virginia, a week before peaking at No. 13 following the Nov. 12 victory over Wake Forest.