Xavier Lewis Shines as UNC Defense Turns It Around | North Carolina Tar Heel Football News

UNC’s gritty win over TCU was far from pretty, but the defense stepped up when it mattered most. Despite a sloppy, penalty-riddled performance from TCU and a sluggish offense that only managed 15 points, UNC’s defense shut them down after a rough first quarter. Sophomore Xavier Lewis led the charge with seven tackles, four and a half tackles for loss, and two sacks. Jelani Thurman shined as the go-to target, hauling in four catches for 94 yards and sealing the win with a clutch grab — all while honoring his late mother in his new 45 jersey. The Tar Heels now turn their focus to hosting East Tennessee State next Saturday. With Lewis emerging and Thurman’s story unfolding, this defense could be the backbone of a special season. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/bef9668f61e24533