North Carolina
Virginia Football vs. North Carolina Game Preview, Score Prediction
Virginia and North Carolina will renew the South’s Oldest Rivalry for the 129th time on Saturday afternoon in Charlottesville. The Cavaliers are looking to snap a two-game losing skid, while the Tar Heels are hoping to get back in the win column for the first time in more than a month, as they come in having lost their last four games. Both teams are desperate for a win, but only one will leave Scott Stadium with a key ACC victory on Saturday.
Read on for a full preview of Virginia vs. North Carolina with everything you need to know, including game details and notes, an opponent scouting report, what to watch for, and a score prediction.
Who: Virginia Cavaliers (4-3, 2-2 ACC) vs. North Carolina Tar Heels (3-4, 0-3 ACC)
When: Saturday, October 26th at 12pm ET
Where: Scott Stadium (61,500) in Charlottesville, Virginia
How to watch: The CW Network
How to listen: SiriusXM 138 or 194, SXM App 956 | Virginia Sports Radio Network
All-time series: North Carolina leads 65-59-4
Last meeting: Virginia defeated then-No. 10 North Carolina 31-27 on October 21st, 2023 in Chapel Hill.
Read Virginia’s injury report for the North Carolina game here: UVA Football Week 9 Injury Report: James Jackson, Antonio Clary, Ty Furnish
See below for UVA’s week 9 depth chart for the UNC game:
2023: 8-5, 4-4 ACC
2024: 3-4, 0-3 ACC
The post-Drake Maye era of North Carolina football opened with a gutsy victory at Minnesota, but starting quarterback Max Johnson went down with a season-ending injury, bringing even more uncertainty to the most important position on the field for the Heels. Things have stabilized a bit on that front, with Jacolby Criswell emerging as the new starter. Criswell has had a unique college football journey, as he started his career at UNC in 2020 before transferring to Arkansas, where he played in eight games over the next three seasons before heading back to Chapel Hill.
Criswell has played fine enough, throwing for 1,367 yards and eight touchdowns to three interceptions, but the engine of the UNC offense is All-American running back and possible first round NFL Draft pick Omarion Hampton. The ACC’s leading rusher and the fourth-leading rusher in the country, Hampton has 901 yards and seven touchdowns and has rushed for at least 100 yards in six out of the seven games so far this season. Hampton had a decent, but not incredible game against Virginia last season, rushing for 112 yards on 19 carries.
Despite having to figure out a difficult quarterback position, UNC started the year 3-0 and should have started 4-0 if not for a horrendous defensive performance against James Madison in which the Tar Heels surrendered 611 yards of total offense and suffered a mind-boggling 70-50 defeat on their home field. That game did not mark the start of a spiral for the UNC defense, which held Duke to 20 points the following week, but lost 21-20. But consistency has eluded the Heels on the defensive side of the ball, as then came a 34-24 loss to a still-unbeaten Pittsburgh team and a 41-34 defeat to Georgia Tech to drop them to 3-4 overall.
North Carolina ranks in the bottom of the ACC in most defensive categories (14th scoring defense, 15th total defense, 12th pass defense, 15th rushing defense) despite having a number of quality defensive playmakers, including linebacker Power Echols, who leads the Heels with 48 total tackles, defensive lineman Jahvaree Ritzie, who leads the team with five sacks, and linebacker Amare Campbell, who paces UNC with 6.0 tackles for loss.
Omarion Hampton vs. UVA Run Defense
After giving up fewer than 100 rushing yards against Coastal Carolina and Boston College, the Virginia defense has regressed since then, allowing 177 yards on the ground to Louisville and then a season-high 194 yards to Clemson last weekend. It’s more important than ever that the Cavaliers get their run defense back on track as they face the ACC’s leading rusher Omarion Hampton, who has the ability to take over the game with a couple of big runs and, perhaps more importantly, the potential the give his team a crucial edge in time of possession if the Heels are able to run the ball at will.
Time of Possession, Third Down Conversions
Speaking of time of possession, neither team has been particularly consistent in winning the possession battle and both teams are mediocre in terms of converting on third downs and getting off the field on third downs on defense. Virginia ranks 13th in the ACC in third down conversions (35.8%) and North Carolina ranks 12th (37.9%), while UVA ranks 12th in opponent third down conversions (38.0%) and UNC ranks 8th (33.7%). In a game that could be dominated by the offenses, whichever team can come up with the crucial third down stop and get off the field will likely win the game.
Dynamic, but Careful Anthony Colandrea
In a game that could very turn into a shootout, the Cavaliers may need the gunslinging version of Anthony Colandrea to come out in this one, but they also need him to continue to protect the ball. He’s gone the last four games without throwing an interception and that streak needs to continue, but Virginia also needs him to take a few more risks in order to cash in on big plays, the type of plays that the Cavaliers didn’t hit on in the Clemson game until it was too late. Colandrea has shown he can be smart with the football, but now he needs to show he can be dynamic, while still being careful.
With their last win coming back on September 14th and their last ACC win coming in November of 2023, the Tar Heels are desperate for a victory. But the Cavaliers need to play with some desperation as well. Their closing four-game stretch (at No. 19 Pitt, at No. 12 Notre Dame, vs. No. 22 SMU, at Virginia Tech) is a brutal one and their best paths to picking up the two more wins needed to reach bowl eligibility all have this Saturday’s contest labeled as a must-win game. It might take a shootout, but Virginia comes away with a pivotal win and hands North Carolina its fifth-straight loss.
Score prediction: North Carolina 31, Virginia 37
UVA Football: Players to Watch in Virginia vs. North Carolina
Virginia Football Bowl Projections Heading Into Week 9
UVA Football Week 9 Injury Report: James Jackson, Antonio Clary, Ty Furnish
Virginia Football Depth Chart vs. North Carolina | Takeaways, Analysis
Virginia Football: ACC Football Week 9 Power Rankings
The NC Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Saturday, June 27, 2026 results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from June 27 drawing
03-16-28-30-59, Powerball: 11, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from June 27 drawing
Day: 7-6-8, Fireball: 2
Evening: 3-1-0, Fireball: 4
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from June 27 drawing
Day: 8-0-2-2, Fireball: 9
Evening: 8-1-5-3, Fireball: 0
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 5 numbers from June 27 drawing
02-08-10-17-28
Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Double Play numbers from June 27 drawing
01-02-15-25-36
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 27 drawing
26-32-38-51-52, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All North Carolina Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.
For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at North Carolina Lottery Offices. By mail, send a prize claim form, your signed lottery ticket, copies of a government-issued photo ID and social security card to: North Carolina Education Lottery, P.O. Box 41606, Raleigh, NC 27629. Prize claims less than $600 do not require copies of photo ID or a social security card.
To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a prize claim form and deliver the form, along with your signed lottery ticket and government-issued photo ID and social security card to any of these locations:
- Asheville Regional Office & Claim Center: 16-G Regent Park Blvd., Asheville, NC 28806, 877-625-6886 press #1. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- Greensboro Regional Office & Claim Center: 20A Oak Branch Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407, 877-625-6886 press #2. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- Charlotte Regional Office & Claim Center: 5029-A West W. T. Harris Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28269-1861, 877-625-6886 press #3. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- NC Lottery Headquarters: Raleigh Claim Center & Regional Office, 2728 Capital Blvd., Suite 144, Raleigh, NC 27604, 877-625-6886 press #4. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
- Greenville Regional Office & Claim Center: 2790 Dickinson Avenue, Suite A, Greenville, NC 27834, 877-625-6886 press #5. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- Wilmington Regional Office & Claim Center: 123 North Cardinal Drive Extension, Suite 140, Wilmington, NC 28405, 877-625-6886 press #6. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://nclottery.com/.
When are the North Carolina Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
- Pick 3, 4: 3:00 p.m. and 11:22 p.m. daily.
- Cash 5: 11:22 p.m. daily.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Carolina Connect editor. You can send feedback using this form.
An AMBER Alert has been issued for a 15-year-old New Bern boy after police say he was abducted at gunpoint from a motel early Saturday morning.
According to the New Bern Police Department, officers responded around 3:15 a.m. to the Palace Motel, located at 1901 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., after receiving a report of a child abduction.
Police said two adults inside the motel room told officers they had been asleep with two boys — 15-year-old Isaiah Kavon Owens and 13-year-old Kenneth Brantley Jr. — when they were awakened by someone banging on the door.
According to investigators, Larry Tompkins opened the door and encountered multiple people, including Kenneth Lee Brantley Sr., the father of Kenneth Brantley Jr.
Police said Brantley pointed a gun at Tompkins before taking both boys from the room and leaving in a black 2012 GMC Yukon Denali XL with South Carolina license plate XFH752.
Authorities said Brantley may be traveling to his residence in Marion, South Carolina. A statewide BOLO (Be On the Lookout) has been issued for the vehicle.
The North Carolina Center for Missing Persons issued an AMBER Alert Friday morning at the request of the New Bern Police Department.
Isaiah is described as a Black male, 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighing approximately 100 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing a white hooded sweatshirt, black pants and red-and-blue sneakers.
Police said Isaiah is autistic and has a speech delay.
Investigators said arrest warrants have been obtained for Brantley charging him with the abduction and endangerment of Isaiah Owens.
The New Bern Police Department said it is working with local, state, out-of-state and federal law enforcement agencies to locate Isaiah and ensure his safe return.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the New Bern Police Department at 252-633-2020, their local law enforcement agency, or call 911 immediately.
BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT
Authorities advise the public not to approach Brantley.
A man once given the nickname Cardiac Kemba due to his heart-stopping heroics at the University of Connecticut, Kemba Walker is back to breathe life into the 704’s youth basketball community.
The Charlotte Hornets’ legend officially opened the Kemba Walker Sports Academy in Concord, North Carolina this afternoon, a multi-sport facility just north of Charlotte that’s mission is “to provide a safe, fun, and inclusive environment for athletes to learn, grow, excel and compete.”
At a ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of the 54,000 square foot facility, Walker took some time to answer questions from assembled media about his latest venture that was created with community in mind.
“It’s really bigger than, you know, basketball,” said the Hornets’ all-time leading scorer this afternoon when talking about the academy. “We want the kids to have some discipline and really teach them how to work hard you know? That’s what we’re chasing. We’re chasing something that’s much bigger than the actual sport.”
It’s a bold vision, and one that Walker has dreamed of fulfilling since he was a kid suiting up for his childhood AAU program, the New York Gauchos.
“(The Gauchos’ facility) is probably not quite like this. It’s not as big as this. But that was my safe space, you know? That was the place I was able to go to, to enjoy the game of basketball and meet some of my closest friends that I still have to this day who actually run this place.”
Walker has been a pillar of the grassroots basketball community in Charlotte since he was a baby-faced, 20-something-year-old suiting up for the Bobcats. And even though he spent some time playing elsewhere in his professional basketball career, the four-time All-Star has considered the Queen City his domain since draft night.
“I never left, first of all” said Walker when asked about returning to the Hornets as an assistant coach and being able to now give back to the community that embraced him with open arms when he was drafted in 2011. “Obviously, I went to a couple of different teams and, you know, my path took me to a couple of different places, but I always kept my house here, and my family was always here, and whenever I had time in the summer, something like that, I was always here.”
“But it is amazing to be back. I love Charlotte.”
And Charlotte loves him back.
Walker stamped his name in the franchise record books with a successful career on the court, but he forever endeared himself into the community by embracing the basketball-crazed city he didn’t have a single tie to until he was drafted there.
The Kemba Walker Sports Academy will host its first grassroots basketball event this weekend, the Kemba Walker Invitational, where AAU teams from across the country (including Walker’s own New York Gauchos) will convene in Concord to christen the facility.
Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter for the latest news and updates on the Charlotte Hornets
Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow
-
Los Angeles, Ca1 hour ago6 members of suspected South American burglary crew arrested by Irvine police
-
Detroit, MI2 hours agoDetroit Tigers seek split in home series vs Houston Astros on Sunday
-
San Francisco, CA2 hours agoPeople’s Budget Coalition Claims Victory After San Francisco Budget Restores Most Proposed Service Cuts – Davis Vanguard
-
Dallas, TX2 hours agoDallas weather: June 28 morning forecast
-
Miami, FL2 hours agoWhere to watch Miami Marlins vs St. Louis Cardinals: TV channel, start time, streaming for June 28
-
Boston, MA2 hours agoPolice: Man killed in crash caused by wrong-way driver on I-93 in Boston – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News
-
Denver, CO2 hours ago
Even without extension talks, Nikola Jokic has reiterated his desire to stay long-term in Denver
-
Seattle, WA2 hours agoWEST. SEATTLE COYOTES: Three sightings
