Josh Downs
FILE - South Carolina quarterback Zeb Noland warms up before the start of an NCAA college football game against Missouri Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Columbia, Mo. Noland, who began the season as a graduate assistant coach for South Carolina coach Shane Beamer, will get the start at quarterback for the Gamecocks after Jason Brown entered the transfer portal. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson, File)
Mayonnaise bath awaits winning coach of Duke's Mayo Bowl

By The Associated Press Dec. 29, 2021 01:23 PM EST

Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett celebrates after their win against Wake Forest in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Pickett, No. 13 Pitt headline AP All-ACC honors for 2021

By Aaron Beard Dec. 06, 2021 11:40 AM EST

North Carolina State cornerback Aydan White (3) blocks a punt by North Carolina punter Ben Kiernan (91) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, in Raleigh, N.C. North Carolina State recovered the ball for a touchdown. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
North Carolina at North Carolina State 11/26/2021

Nov. 26, 2021 08:35 PM EST

North Carolina State quarterback Devin Leary (13) looks to throw the ball against Syracuse during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
No. 24 NC State hoping to keep Atlantic hopes alive vs. UNC

By The Associated Press Nov. 25, 2021 03:56 PM EST

North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell (7) throws a pass as Pittsburgh linebacker Phil Campbell III rushes during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
North Carolina at Pittsburgh 11/11/2021

Nov. 11, 2021 08:31 PM EST

Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) and wide receiver Jared Wayne (5) celebrate together after Pickett threw a touchdown pass to Wayne during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Duke Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Durham, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
Star QBs Howell, Pickett face off as UNC visits No. 25 Pitt

By The Associated Press Nov. 10, 2021 12:45 PM EST

Wake Forest quarterback Sam Hartman (10) scores a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Duke on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Winston-Salem, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)
No. 10 Demon Deacons face Tar Heels in nonconference meeting

By The Associated Press Nov. 04, 2021 03:03 PM EDT

Wake Forest quarterback Sam Hartman (10) throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Duke on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Winston-Salem, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)
No. 10 Demon Deacons visit Tar Heels in nonconference game

By Aaron Beard Nov. 04, 2021 11:28 AM EDT

Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams runs against Southern California in the second half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
No. 11 Irish leery if Tar Heels go bump on Saturday night

By John Fineran Oct. 28, 2021 01:09 PM EDT

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney wipes his head as he watches as his team play against Pittsburgh in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh won 27-17. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Louisville-NC State division game tops ACC's Week 9 schedule

By Aaron Beard Oct. 28, 2021 02:00 AM EDT

Miami head coach Manny Diaz gestures during the first half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Miami (FL) at North Carolina 10/16/2021

Oct. 16, 2021 05:21 PM EDT

North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell (7) runs with the ball while Florida State defensive back Sidney Williams (23), linebacker Kalen DeLoach (20) and defensive end Jermaine Johnson II, rear, look to tackle him during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Miami, UNC meet as struggling ACC division favorites

By Aaron Beard Oct. 14, 2021 12:58 PM EDT

North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell (7) hands off to running back D.J. Jones (26) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida State in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Travis sparks Florida State past North Carolina again

Bob Sutton Oct. 09, 2021 07:10 PM EDT

Florida wide receiver Trent Whittemore (14) catches a pass in the end zone for a 9-yard touchdown in front of Vanderbilt safety Brendon Harris (27) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
SCS at Florida A&M 10/9/2021

Oct. 09, 2021 01:43 PM EDT

Wake Forest quarterback Sam Hartman looks to pass against Louisville during the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Winston-Salem, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Pitt's Pickett emerging in ACC's next wave of NFL-ready QBs

By Charles Odum Oct. 06, 2021 01:38 PM EDT

North Carolina wide receiver Josh Downs (11) reacts following a touchdown against Duke during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Howell shines as UNC tops rival Duke, 38-7

By Mitchell Northam Oct. 02, 2021 03:47 PM EDT

Duke defensive tackle DeWayne Carter, left, tackles North Carolina running back D.J. Jones (26) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Duke at North Carolina 10/2/2021

Oct. 02, 2021 01:51 PM EDT

North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell (7) runs the ball as Virginia free safety Joey Blount (29) defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Georgia Tech hosts Tar Heels at NFL's Mercedes-Benz Stadium

By The Associated Press Sep. 23, 2021 02:31 PM EDT

North Carolina coach Mack Brown applauds during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against Virginia in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Mayhem at Mercedes: Ga Tech faces No. 21 UNC at NFL stadium

By Paul Newberry Sep. 23, 2021 10:24 AM EDT

North Carolina defensive back Don Chapman (2) and teammates tackle Virginia running back Mike Hollins (7) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Howell, Chandler, Downs help No. 21 UNC beat Virginia 59-39

By Aaron Beard Sep. 18, 2021 11:23 PM EDT