UNC holds off Duke with strong defensive showing and Greg Smith's key plays

North Carolina and Duke faced off in a competitive game on October 18, 2026, with UNC ultimately securing a 24-20 victory. The Tar Heels jumped to a 17-0 lead before Duke rallied back. UNC's defense was pivotal, led by Greg Smith III, who recorded ten tackles and made several key stops to limit Duke's scoring opportunities. Despite offensive struggles, UNC managed to capitalize on a late drive, allowing Jaylen McGill to score the decisive touchdown. Next, UNC will host Syracuse in Chapel Hill.

• 5:00 PMYahoo Sports — Greg Smith’s Player of the Game performance headlines another solid showing by UNC’s defense