Syracuse and North Carolina NCAA football matchup

Syracuse University and the North Carolina Tar Heels competed at Kenan Stadium on October 24, 2026.

In an overtime thriller, the Syracuse Orange secured a 31-30 victory against the North Carolina Tar Heels. Entering the game as 8.5-point underdogs, Syracuse overcame an early 20-10 deficit to force overtime, eventually sealing the win with a successful two-point conversion. This victory snapped an 11-game Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) losing streak for the Orange.

During the overtime period, Syracuse quarterback Steve Angeli connected with Calvin Russell III for a four-yard touchdown on fourth down. Russell, who was returning from an Achilles injury, recorded eight receptions for 86 yards. The win was facilitated after a missed extra point by North Carolina’s Shay Barker following a late Syracuse touchdown, which left the score tied at 23-23 at the end of regulation. One report noted the game concluded on a “controversial two-point conversion attempt” by Russell that officials ruled successful.

North Carolina, led by head coach Bill Belichick, had entered the matchup with a 4-2 record and a two-game winning streak. Despite strong performances from quarterback Billy Edwards Jr., who threw for 271 yards and two touchdowns, and running back Demon June, who recorded two rushing touchdowns, the Tar Heels surrendered 13 points in the fourth quarter. Linebacker Derek McDonald led the UNC defense with 16 tackles.

The win marks Syracuse’s first conference victory of the season, improving their record to 3-4 overall and 1-4 in the ACC. North Carolina falls to 4-3 overall and faces the No. 1 Miami Hurricanes in their next matchup.