UNC vs. Notre Dame live updates: Score, highlights, predictions, picks
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The North Carolina Tar Heels return home today and face arguably their toughest opponent in a loaded football schedule, hosting the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at 12 p.m.
UNC (2-1, 0-1 ACC) was one quarter away from upsetting Clemson in Death Valley, but a cold offense and collapsing defense killed its chances. If North Carolina won that game, today's clash is arguably primetime under the Kenan Stadium lights.
Notre Dame (4-0) is off to an undefeated start behind its historic defense and balanced offense. The Fighting Irish blanked Rice, while handling three Power Four opponents in Wisconsin, Michigan State and Purdue.
Billy Edwards has to bounce back for the Tar Heels to have a chance, while Benjamin Hall needs to continue leading a deep running back room. Xavier Lewis will lead UNC in trying to take Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr down, but he and his fellow lineman will be tested against an offensive line only allowing two sacks.
Get real-time updates, scoring plays, turning points, and expert analysis throughout UNC-Notre Dame. Follow along for highlights, injury news, key plays, and instant breakdown as the Tar Heels host the Fighting Irish in a season-defining, early-fall showdown.
UNC vs. Notre Dame score
| Quarter | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Score |
| Notre Dame | – | – | – | – | 0 |
| UNC | – | – | – | – | 0 |
UNC vs. Notre Dame live updates, analysis
UNC could get a key pass-catcher back?
11:27 AM ET, October 3 2026
Freshman C.J. Sadler, who is third on the Tar Heels with 73 receiving yards, missed the Clemson game due to a speeding citation.
Sadler was spotted in uniform during warm-ups. Whether he plays or just waits for his chance on the sideline, Sadler gives North Carolina a weapon amongst its talented pass-catching corps.
#UNC WR CJ Sadler, who was designated OUT at Clemson following his speeding citation, is in uniform today.
— Michael Koh (@michaelkohwchl) October 3, 2026
Rece Verhoff has quite the leg
11:20 AM ET, October 3 2026
UNC landed Aeron Burrell in the transfer portal, with hope the former LSU kicker brought them stability in the kicking game. Burrell is a perfect 8-of-8 on extra points, but just 4-of-7 on field goal attempts, with his longest make from 33.
Rece Verhoff recently gained eligibility and, during warmups, showed little signs of rust by drilling 50-yard field goals.
Rece Verhoff making field-goal attempts from 50 yards out during warm-ups. #UNC
— R.L. Bynum (@RL_Bynum) October 3, 2026
UNC football head coaches meet pre-game
11:11 AM ET, October 3 2026
Mack Brown is the winningest coach in UNC football history, but a mediocre 2024 campaign led to his firing. Bill Belichick, the winningest coach in NFL history, is now in his second season leading the Tar Heels.
As part of North Carolina's Hall of Fame weekend, Brown is back in Chapel Hill. Belichick and Brown met up earlier this weekend.
Great to have our Hall of Famers back on campus this weekend 🏆 pic.twitter.com/6SXQzEc5Rj
— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) October 3, 2026
Kicker change for UNC?
10:32 AM ET, October 3 2026
Aeron Burrell did a little bit of everything for the Tar Heels in their first three games, handling punts, kickoffs and field goals.
Rece Verhoff, North Carolina's 2025 standout who earned All-ACC honors, recently earned his eligibility back. Verhoff is on track to play today and, after making 19-of-23 attempts last fall, should start over Burrell.
The first #UNC player on the field today? Kicker Rece Verhoff, who’s set to make his season debut against No. 3 Notre Dame.
Verhoff, who’s included in the Monroe County, Indiana, lawsuit for a fifth year of eligibility, was granted a preliminary injunction on Sept. 23. pic.twitter.com/qO925lZEsu
— Noah Weiskopf (@NoahWeiskopf) October 3, 2026
UNC gets its top pass-rusher back
10:26 AM ET, October 3 2026
The Tar Heels will gain another weapon in the trenches today. After missing each of his past two games, star edge rusher Melkart Abou-Jaoude will suit up today against Notre Dame.
NEWS: UNC star defensive end Melkart Abou Jaoude will play for UNC today against Notre Dame, per an ESPN source. He’d been out with a hand/wrist injury and missed the Clemson game. He led the ACC in sacks per game last year. pic.twitter.com/cXT4fXKPEC
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 3, 2026
How to watch UNC vs. Notre Dame: TV channel, streaming info
09:47 PM ET, October 2 2026, Zack Pearson
UNC vs. Notre Dame airs live on ESPN and will be streamed on WatchESPN and Disney+.
UNC vs. Notre Dame weather forecast
09:46 PM ET, October 2 2026, Zack Pearson
The Forecast for Saturday afternoon in Chapel Hill calls for a high of 73 degrees and a 34% chance of rain.
UNC vs. Notre Dame betting odds, prediction
09:45 PM ET, October 2 2026, Zack Pearson
Odds via BetMGM.
- Spread: Notre Dame -21
- Total O/U: 46.5
- Moneyline: Notre Dame -1600
Notre Dame 27, UNC 16. UNC returns home after three weeks, facing the best defense in college football. North Carolina has the offensive tools to compete, headlined by its deep running back room. The Tar Heels have a good defense that will impact Saturday’s result, but their offensive line will need to give Billy Edwards time to get that side of the football going. The Fighting Irish are simply too good and win easy in Kenan Stadium, proving themselves as an early-season National Championship favorite.
UNC vs. Notre Dame injury updates, inactives
09:44 PM ET, October 2 2026, Zack Pearson
- UNC — N/A
- Notre Dame — QUESTIONABLE: OL Owen Strebig (concussion); OUT: OL Matty Augustine (right foot); DB Brauntae Johnson (left foot); DT Jason Onye (left ankle); DL Christopher Burgess Jr. (left tibia); DL Tiki Hola (right knee); OL Charles Jagusah (left humerus); DB Chaz Smith (right wrist); OL Chris Terek (right knee), Quincy Porter (knee)
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC vs. Notre Dame live updates: Score, highlights, predictions, picks
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