AARON BEARD
Notre Dame's George Takacs (85) gets past North Carolina's Tyrone Hopper (42) picking up 13 yards on a pass completion from quarterback Ian Book (12) and dive toward the goal line, but is stopped short during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (Robert Willett/The News & Observer via AP, Pool)
Book, defense help No. 2 Notre Dame beat No. 25 UNC 31-17

By Aaron Beard Nov. 27, 2020 07:10 PM EST
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Ian Book kept scrambling to buy time and help No. 2

FILE - In this Oct. 10, 2020, file photo, North Carolina's Javonte Williams (25) breaks away from Virginia Tech's Rayshard Ashby (23) on a 19-yard run for a touchdown during an NCAA college football game at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Williams' 25th-ranked Tar Heels host No. 2 Notre Dame on Friday. (Robert Willett/The News & Observer via AP, File)
No. 2 Notre Dame visits No. 25 UNC in pivotal ACC matchup

By Aaron Beard Nov. 26, 2020 09:32 AM EST
Second-ranked Notre Dame is moving closer to playing for its first-ever

FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, file photo, Boston College quarterback Phil Jurkovec throws a pass against Notre Dame during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Boston. The Notre Dame transfer is hoping to keep the Eagles moving in Saturday's game against Louisville. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)
No. 2 Notre Dame, No. 25 UNC meet in ACC headliner this week

By Aaron Beard Nov. 26, 2020 04:01 AM EST
Here are things to watch in the Atlantic Coast Conference in Week 12:

North Carolina State quarterback Bailey Hockman (16) escapes from pressure during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Liberty, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Raleigh, N.C. (Ethan Hyman/The News & Observer via AP, Pool)
Blocked FG helps NC State hold off No. 21 Liberty 15-14

By Aaron Beard Nov. 21, 2020 11:20 PM EST
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — For the second time this season, No. 21 Liberty found

Liberty quarterback Malik Willis (7) celebrates his touchdown with his teammates during the first half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Lynchburg, Va. (AP Photo/Shaban Athuman)
No. 21 Liberty visits NC State seeking 3rd win vs. ACC teams

By Aaron Beard Nov. 19, 2020 11:06 AM EST
Liberty’s wins against Atlantic Coast Conference opponents have been a

North Carolina tight end Garrett Walston (84) catches a touchdown pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Wake Forest in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Howell, Tar Heels make big rally to beat Wake Forest 59-53

By Aaron Beard Nov. 14, 2020 04:04 PM EST
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — There's no deficit that Sam Howell and his North

North Carolina running back Javonte Williams (25) runs away from Duke linebacker Shaka Heyward (42) during the second half of an NCAA college football game at Wallace Wade Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Durham, N.C. (Jim Dedmon/Pool Photo via AP)
Tar Heels, Demon Deacons meet in ACC instate matchup

By Aaron Beard Nov. 12, 2020 11:31 AM EST
Wake Forest has spent the past month avoiding major mistakes to put together a

North Carolina State coach Dave Doeren watches his team warm up for an NCAA college football game against Miami on Friday, Nov. 6, 2020, in Raleigh, N.C. (Ethan Hyman/The News & Observer via AP, Pool)
Wolfpack QB Hockman gets shot to face former Seminoles team

By Aaron Beard Nov. 12, 2020 11:29 AM EST
Bailey Hockman has taken a winding path to become North Carolina State's

Duke coach David Cutcliffe stands on the sideline while wearing a face shield during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against Charlotte on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Durham, N.C. (Jaylynn Nash/Pool Photo via AP)
Rivals North Carolina, Duke meet looking to win Victory Bell

By Aaron Beard Nov. 05, 2020 11:01 AM EST
North Carolina has spent the past month climbing all the way to fifth in the

Duke quarterback Chase Brice (8) looks for a receiver during the first half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina State at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020. (Ethan Hyman/The News & Observer via AP)
Duke looks for spark against Charlotte after 1-5 start

By Aaron Beard Oct. 29, 2020 11:30 AM EDT
The turnovers piled up fast for Duke through the first six weeks. So did the

North Carolina State running back Zonovan Knight (7) finds some running room against North Carolina during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Williams, Carter lead No. 14 UNC past No. 23 NC State 48-21

By Aaron Beard Oct. 24, 2020 04:44 PM EDT
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina responded to its first loss with

Syracuse head coach Dino Babers yells to his team as they play against Pittsburgh during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in Pittsburgh. Babers is in the midst of a second straight subpar season and not much relief is in sight. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Lawrence leads midyear honors in ACC with mistake-free play

By Aaron Beard Oct. 21, 2020 12:43 PM EDT
Trevor Lawrence has been at his best from the start for top-ranked Clemson.

Duke quarterback Chase Brice (8) looks for a receiver during the first half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina State at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020. (Ethan Hyman/The News & Observer via AP)
TDs from Angeline, Thomas help NC State beat Duke 31-20

By Aaron Beard Oct. 17, 2020 07:29 PM EDT
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Cary Angeline and Thayer Thomas had second-half touchdown

Virginia Tech quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) scores pas North Carolina's Tomari Fox (56) on a five-yard carry in the third quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. (Robert Willett/The News & Observer via AP)
Eagles visit No. 23 Hokies in key game on ACC schedule

By Aaron Beard Oct. 15, 2020 04:00 AM EDT
Here are things to watch in the Atlantic Coast Conference in Week 6:

North Carolina's Jordan Tucker (74) embraces quarterback Sam Howell (7) following their 56-49 victory over Virginia Tech in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. (Robert Willett/The News & Observer via AP)
Brown, No. 5 UNC aim to maintain highest ranking in 23 years

By Aaron Beard Oct. 13, 2020 05:30 PM EDT
It took Mack Brown less than two years to lead a struggling North Carolina

Virginia Tech coach Justin Fuente talks to running back Keshawn King (35) as he leaves the field during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against Duke on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Durham, N.C. (Nell Redmond/Pool Photo via AP)
No. 8 Tar Heels look to slow No. 19 Hokies' strong run game

By Aaron Beard Oct. 08, 2020 12:29 PM EDT
Eighth-ranked North Carolina has spent two games shutting down running games

Duke quarterback Chase Brice (8) stands on the field before an NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Durham, N.C. (Nell Redmond/Pool Photo via AP)
Herbert, Virginia Tech beat Duke 38-31 for 2-0 start

By Aaron Beard Oct. 03, 2020 07:38 PM EDT
DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Khalil Herbert ran for 208 yards and two touchdowns,

Central Florida wide receiver Ryan O'Keefe (4) runs the ball as East Carolina defensive back Warren Saba (17) chases during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Greenville, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Gabriel, No. 13 UCF beat East Carolina 51-28 in AAC opener

By Aaron Beard Sep. 26, 2020 04:12 PM EDT
GREENVILLE, N.C. (AP) — For the second straight week, Dillon Gabriel and No. 13

East Carolina head coach Mike Houston looks from the sidelines against Cincinnati during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Greenville, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. Houston opens his second season with the Pirates on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020 against No. 13 UCF. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
No. 13 UCF opens conference play with trip to East Carolina

By Aaron Beard Sep. 24, 2020 10:06 AM EDT
Dillon Gabriel and and his Central Florida teammates aren’t spending time

Person, NC State hold on to beat Wake Forest 45-42 in opener

By Aaron Beard Sep. 20, 2020 12:12 AM EDT
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Ricky Person Jr. scored the short go-ahead touchdown with