### Virginia's Overtime Victory: A Nail-Biting Finish Against North Carolina - In a thrilling college football matchup, the No. 16 Virginia Cavaliers edged out the North Carolina Tar Heels with a score of 17-16 in overtime on October 25, 2025. This victory marked Virginia's third overtime win of the season, showcasing their resilience and defensive prowess. The game was characterized by a series of close calls and dramatic moments, particularly in the overtime period where North Carolina nearly pulled off a significant upset. The Cavaliers' defense ultimately sealed the win by stopping a crucial two-point conversion attempt by the Tar Heels, allowing Virginia to maintain their strong season record of 7-1 and 4-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) [https://apnews.com/article/virginia-north-carolina-football-score-a2960839a8e5ef9038bc397602b7b00d]. ### Breakdown of the Game's Key Moments 1. **Game Overview**: - Virginia's J'Mari Taylor scored a 1-yard touchdown in overtime, giving the Cavaliers a 17-10 lead. - North Carolina responded with a touchdown from Davion Gause but failed to convert a two-point attempt, resulting in their fourth consecutive loss [https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2025/10/25/no-16-virginia-edges-north-carolina-in-overtime-on-jmari-taylors-td-run]. 2. **Quarterback Performances**: - Virginia's Chandler Morris threw for 200 yards, contributing one touchdown and one interception. - North Carolina's Gio Lopez had a slightly better performance with 208 yards, one touchdown, but two interceptions [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/no_16_virginia_cavaliers_escape_with_a_win_over_the_unc_tar_heels/s1_17396_42957967]. 3. **Coaching Decisions**: - UNC's head coach Bill Belichick opted for a two-point conversion after their touchdown in overtime, a decision that ultimately backfired as the attempt was thwarted [https://www.si.com/college-football/north-carolina-inches-short-overtime-upset-virginia-gutsy-bill-belichick-call-two-point-conversion]. 4. **Defensive Highlights**: - Virginia's defense was pivotal in the game, particularly in stopping the two-point conversion that would have given UNC the win [https://virginiasports.com/news/2025/10/25/no-16-cavaliers-commandeer-third-overtime-win-over-north-carolina]. ### Statistical Insights and Game Data - **Final Score**: Virginia 17, North Carolina 16 - **Virginia's Record**: 7-1 overall, 4-0 ACC - **North Carolina's Record**: 2-5 overall, 0-3 ACC - **Key Players**: - J'Mari Taylor (Virginia): 1 rushing TD - Chandler Morris (Virginia): 200 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 INT - Gio Lopez (UNC): 208 passing yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs - **Overtime Decisions**: Virginia scored first in overtime, followed by UNC's touchdown and failed conversion attempt [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/north_carolina_came_inches_away_from_pulling_major_upset/s1_127_42958513]. ### Conclusion: A Season of Close Calls for Virginia - **Virginia's Resilience**: The Cavaliers have demonstrated remarkable resilience this season, winning three games in overtime and maintaining their position as a top contender in the ACC. - **UNC's Near Miss**: The Tar Heels, despite their struggles this season, showcased their potential and competitiveness, coming within inches of a significant upset against a ranked opponent. - **Looking Ahead**: Both teams will need to reassess their strategies moving forward, with Virginia aiming to build on their success and UNC seeking to turn their near misses into victories [https://goheels.com/news/2025/10/26/football-falls-to-no-16-virginia-in-overtime-17-16].