Oct 25, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive lineman Isaiah Johnson (94) celebrtates with defensive tackle D'Antre Robinson (6) after making a sack in the second quarer at Kenan Stadium. Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

UNC’s Defensive Grades Revealed After Loss to Virginia

Originally posted on North Carolina Tar Heels on SI
By Grant Chachere | Last updated Oct 28, 2025 10:00 PM ET

North Carolina suffered its fourth consecutive loss last Saturday, falling 17-16 in overtime to No. 16 Virginia in what may have been the Tar Heels’ most complete game of the season. Here is how PFF UNC's defensive performance against Virginia.

Here's an explanation of how PFF's grading works: On every play, a PFF analyst will grade each player on a scale of -2 to +2, ranging from a pick-six to a late touchdown pass, with expected plays graded as a 0. Each game is graded by two different analysts and any discrepancies are settled by a senior analyst. Grades are then normalized to account for game situation and converted to a 0-100 scale.

Overall PFF Defensive Grade

Defense - 77.8
Run Defense - 80.7
Tackling - 65.4
Pass Rush - 68.3
Coverage - 74.5

While many expected North Carolina to compete with Virginia and force overtime, few anticipated that UNC would sack Virginia quarterback Chandler Morris six times.

Entering the game, the Cavaliers had allowed just five sacks all year—the second-lowest total in the ACC and seventh lowest nationally. North Carolina defensive end Melkart Abou-Jaoude led the way with three sacks. Defensive end Tyler Thompson and defensive tackles Isiah Johnson and CJ Mims each added one.

UNC held the Cavaliers to 259 total yards, including just 59 on the ground. Coming into the game, the Wahoo offense averaged 462.3 yards per game—fourth in the ACC and 20th nationally—and 203.9 rushing yards, good for third in the ACC and 26th in the country.

Carolina’s defense has steadily improved throughout the season and has been the reason the Tar Heels have hung with stronger opponents in recent weeks. In the last two weeks, Carolina has given up 276.5 yards per game, which would be 12th in the country had they averaged that in all seven games.