It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Rocky Ridge Farm Historic District in Chapel Hill, NC gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Chapel Hill, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“good service. help was thoughtful and kind. used for several days.”
“Kelly Klein at Always Best was a godsend. She helped us out during a truly”
“Karla Dixon is a wonderful asset to the community and to Always Best Care in”
“Karla dixon is truly a great person for the community. She is compassionate and very”
“Thank you, Carver Living Center (CLC) for the wonderful care the staff provided for my”
“From the outside looking in, you don’t always see the care, patience, and dedication that”
“Always Best Care is hands down your go to for all in home care needs!”
“Seeing the care they provide, I’d highly recommend them to any family in need of”
“Reliable, caring, and professional—Always Best Care is awesome!”
“The staff here are compassionate, professional, and truly go above and beyond. You can tell”
“5 stars all the way—professional, compassionate, and reliable. You can tell they genuinely care!”
“Always Best Care provides excellent services to their community. Impeccable staff and care givers who actually”
“Not only is the care they provide outstanding, but the support from the front office”
“It’s rare to find a company where both the caregivers and the office staff are”
“I had a wonderful experience with Always Best Care Senior Services. Kelly Klein was incredibly”
“Kaitlyn Jones is absolutely the best. Hands down!”
“Quick responses, clear communication, and a very friendly admin team. Everything was handled efficiently and”
“Kelly was super helpful at a time i needed help she had all the answers to my”
“Always Best Care Senior Services is a premier organization.”
“Always Best Care will not disappoint! They truly provide the best service for all of”
“Always Best Care Services has been a wonderful experience, and Leslie Christian was especially helpful”
“These people were amazing.”
“Working with Always Best Care has been an absolute pleasure. As the director of Pathway”
“I Live in Durham, North Carolina. I have low vision and other limitations. I’ve been”
“I recently joined the company as a caregiver! The company itself is amazing the best”
“good service. help was thoughtful and kind. used for several days.”
“Kelly Klein at Always Best was a godsend. She helped us out during a truly scary time for our family and connected us with exactly what we needed. Can't recommend her highly enough!”
“Karla Dixon is a wonderful asset to the community and to Always Best Care in Chapel Hill, NC.”
“Karla dixon is truly a great person for the community. She is compassionate and very helpful.”
“Thank you, Carver Living Center (CLC) for the wonderful care the staff provided for my mother! All of the staff ( nurses, CNAs, PT & OT Staff), administrative staff and food service staff were very kind, caring and respectful. I would recommend CLC to anyone looking for a care facility for their family member(s).”
“From the outside looking in, you don’t always see the care, patience, and dedication that goes into what they do—but it’s there every single day. Truly grateful for a team that goes above and beyond, even when no one’s watching.”
“Always Best Care is hands down your go to for all in home care needs! Top tier team!”
“Seeing the care they provide, I’d highly recommend them to any family in need of in home care! Lots of options, flexibility and accommodations made for those that need it!”
“Reliable, caring, and professional—Always Best Care is awesome!”
“The staff here are compassionate, professional, and truly go above and beyond. You can tell they genuinely care about their clients and their families.”
“5 stars all the way—professional, compassionate, and reliable. You can tell they genuinely care!”
“Always Best Care provides excellent services to their community. Impeccable staff and care givers who actually care!”
“Not only is the care they provide outstanding, but the support from the front office is just as impressive. It’s comforting knowing you can call and talk to someone who genuinely cares and helps guide you through everything.”
“It’s rare to find a company where both the caregivers and the office staff are this compassionate. From day one, the entire team made us feel comfortable and answered so many of our questions with guidance.”
“I had a wonderful experience with Always Best Care Senior Services. Kelly Klein was incredibly supportive. She helped us find the right resources and solutions, and we truly felt supported every step of the way. We’re so grateful for her help.”
“Kaitlyn Jones is absolutely the best. Hands down!”
“Quick responses, clear communication, and a very friendly admin team. Everything was handled efficiently and professionally.”
“Kelly was super helpful at a time i needed help she had all the answers to my questions and made me feel heard I can move forward with the decisions i need to make in the future Thank You for the support”
“Always Best Care Senior Services is a premier organization.”
“Always Best Care will not disappoint! They truly provide the best service for all of your in home care needs!”
“Always Best Care Services has been a wonderful experience, and Leslie Christian was especially helpful throughout the process. She was kind, professional, and took the time to answer questions and make everything feel easy and comfortable. It’s clear that she truly cares and wants to provide the best support possible. I would definitely recommend Always Best Care Services to anyone looking for dependable and compassionate care.”
“These people were amazing.”
“Working with Always Best Care has been an absolute pleasure. As the director of Pathway Community Living, I’ve had the opportunity to work with them when coordinating housing for clients, and every interaction has been nothing short of excellent. Their team is incredibly professional, organized, and easy to communicate with. I work most closely with Karla and Leslie, and I can’t say enough good things about them. Their communication is top tier, they’re always responsive, and they make the coordination process smooth and stress free. It’s rare to find partners who are both this professional and this genuinely kind. I truly appreciate the partnership and look forward to continuing to work with this amazing team.”
“I Live in Durham, North Carolina. I have low vision and other limitations. I’ve been working Always Best for a couple of months now. Jordyn is doing a wonderful job! She is able to clean to cook to go through the mail with me. Recently, she filled out some challenging forms. She’s taking notes for me at a medical appointment. She also has a generous nature! Always, Best chooses well and is reliable!”
“I recently joined the company as a caregiver! The company itself is amazing the best part is being able to give amazing care and meet amazing people. From the family to the furry friends! If I could choose any other company I wouldn’t I will always choose always best care !”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Homestead Park in Chapel Hill, NC with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Elements Restaurant or visit Old Well, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Chapel Hill, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Chapel Hill, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Chapel Hill, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Atlantic Coast Conference Commissioner Jim Phillips isn't publicly fretting about four member schools expressing support for tweaking realignment provisions in the Protect College Sports Act to make it easier for schools to change leagues.Speaking Tuesday at preseason ACC basketball media days, Phillips touted the health and financial gains for the league while also saying schools “need direct access to state their case” when it comes to the proposed law to reform college athletics. The U.S. Se...
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Atlantic Coast Conference Commissioner Jim Phillips isn't publicly fretting about four member schools expressing support for tweaking realignment provisions in the Protect College Sports Act to make it easier for schools to change leagues.
Speaking Tuesday at preseason ACC basketball media days, Phillips touted the health and financial gains for the league while also saying schools “need direct access to state their case” when it comes to the proposed law to reform college athletics. The U.S. Senate has approved a version of the measure and sent it to the House.
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The presidents and chancellors of Clemson, Florida State, Miami and North Carolina sent a letter last week to House leaders seeking to increase the bill's membership cap for conferences from 20 to 22 schools. They also requested removing a requirement for a school to be independent for three years before joining another league.
Tomahawk Nation, a site covering Florida State athletics, was first to obtain a copy of the letter. A North Carolina spokesman confirmed its authenticity when contacted by The Associated Press.
Phillips said he would continue to stay in touch with all ACC schools and noted most back the measure.
“We have 14 schools that feel really good about it that want to sign it, and we have four schools that have an issue with a portion of it," he said. "So that’s what I’m going to continue to push towards the decision makers and those that have written the bill to date.”
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FSU and Clemson filed lawsuits against the ACC in 2023 and 2024, respectively, to challenge the league's ability to levy hundreds of millions in exit fees to leave the conference. The league countersued. The parties ultimately settled the case in early 2025 with a deal that revised long-term exit costs while also revamping the league's revenue-distribution model as a way for schools generating the highest TV ratings to earn more money.
That's been part of a series of changes by the league to bolster the financial picture while facing a growing gap behind the Big Ten and Southeastern conferences, though still finishing ahead of the Big 12 among the Power Four. The ACC reported about $826.5 million in total revenue in tax filings covering the 2024-25 sports season, with schools earning a full distribution share getting an average of $47.1 million.
That continued an upward trajectory from $617 million for 2021-22 in Phillips’ first full season, good for a full-share average of $39.4 million. By comparison, the Big Ten and SEC both crossed the $1 billion mark in total revenue in their 2024-25 filings, with the Big Ten paying an average of nearly $79.9 million to full-share members while the SEC came in at nearly $72.4 million.
The ACC's legal settlement with Clemson and FSU helped make the 2030-31 a significant marker. The ACC's exit fee will decline each year before leveling off around $75 million per school that season, while media deals for other leagues are expiring around that time to create at least the potential for another wave of broad realignment.
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Provisions in any new law could make that harder, starting with membership caps that could limit the available landing spots. In addition, requiring a school to operate as an independent for a defined period after leaving a league would mean missing formerly guaranteed media payouts before being able to cash in elsewhere.
“I’ve been very consistent about I have always tried to make sure that this was a conference that people wanted to be in, and I’m really proud of what we’ve done,” Phillips said. “We’re as healthy as we’ve ever been."
Phillips declined to discuss “hypotheticals” when asked whether he was concerned about whether this was a sign of multiple schools intending to leave.
“The conference is in a good place,” he said. "Healthy, functioning, achieving at a high level. We’ll see where all this takes us. So you have to be ready. You have to be ready for anything. But I feel good about where we’re at, and we’ll see what this bill ends up doing.”
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By Aaron Beard | Associated PressPUBLISHED: October 3, 2026 at 3:17 PM CDT | UPDATED: October 3, 2026 at 4:44 PM CDTGetting your Trinity Audio player ready...CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Notre Dame abruptly found itself playing in a tight game at North Carolina with the pouring rain limiting coach Marcus Freeman’s comfort throwing the ball.So the third-ranked Fighting Irish made it simple: Get a hard push from the offensive line, open lanes and pound the ball through those gaps again and again....
By Aaron Beard | Associated Press
PUBLISHED: October 3, 2026 at 3:17 PM CDT | UPDATED: October 3, 2026 at 4:44 PM CDT
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Notre Dame abruptly found itself playing in a tight game at North Carolina with the pouring rain limiting coach Marcus Freeman’s comfort throwing the ball.
So the third-ranked Fighting Irish made it simple: Get a hard push from the offensive line, open lanes and pound the ball through those gaps again and again.
It added up to regaining control after halftime of Saturday’s 37-26 road win, along with offering a promising leap for a rushing attack that looks very different from the one from last year that produced two first-round NFL draft picks.
“When they know you’re going to try to run the ball — and you’re still able to run the ball — because of the weather conditions, that’s a reflection of your team, and the toughness and the physicality,” Freeman said.
CJ Carr threw for four touchdowns and ran for another for the Fighting Irish (5-0), who ran for a season-best 241 yards.
The Irish were on the verge of going up 28-7 before the Tar Heels (2-2) came up with a goal-line stand and turned it into a long touchdown drive just before halftime. Then UNC came out of the break with Jaden Jefferson sprinting through the rain for a 98-yard kickoff return that brought the Tar Heels within 21-20.
That’s when Carr and the Irish offense went to work with a series of methodical and physical drives, leaning on the run in wet conditions to carry the ball right into the heart of the defensive front and consistently move the chains.
“Super impressive with the way the offensive line kind of just drove the ball down the field,” Carr said. “They couldn’t really stop us. It felt like we were imposing our will on them whenever we wanted to.”
Notre Dame responded to Jefferson’s big play with a 17-play, 75-yard drive lasting more than nine minutes by the time Carr ran around the right side for a fourth-down TD keeper.
Then, after forcing a three-and-out, Notre Dame went to work again in pummeling fashion. Nolan James Jr. did most of the work on the ground, then caught Carr’s short pass in the left flat and juked a would-be tackler off his feet for a 6-yard TD and a 34-20 lead to open the fourth quarter.
Carr threw for 234 yards, with Jordan Faison making eight catches for 132 yards and two scores.
Billy Edwards Jr. threw for three touchdowns for the Tar Heels but was picked off twice. North Carolina also struggled to get anything going on the ground (77 yards on 23 carries).
“We were certainly competitive, we missed some opportunities,” coach Bill Belichick said. “We just need to do a better job of coaching and playing, take advantage of those opportunities. They’re a good team; it’s not like anything was easy today.”
The Irish entered ranked 98th in the Bowl Subdivision in rushing offense at 141.8 yards. That was down from 17th last year (203.4) behind the nation’s fifth-leading rusher in Jeremiyah Love (114.3) and Jadarian Price, the two eventual first-round picks.
But on Saturday, freshman Jonaz Walton posted a team-high 120 yards while James added 65. The Irish’s rushing output included 122 yards in the third quarter alone in stymieing UNC’s momentum.
“We were doing some gap-scheme runs and to get movement at the point of attack was huge,” Freeman said. “The backs were patient and trusted it. We were really in rhythm that third quarter of just sustaining that drive and being able to run the ball when they knew we were running the ball.”
Notre Dame: The defense had its hiccups in the Fighting Irish’s 15th straight win. The Irish entered Saturday ranked No. 1 nationally by surrendering 199.3 yards per game and second in scoring at 8.3 ppg, yet the Tar Heels came within seven points of matching the total the Irish had allowed through four games.
“Our guys didn’t play crisp in the pass game and their guys made some plays, so we’ve got to go back and get that fixed,” Freeman said.
UNC: The Tar Heels started 2-0 before blowing a two-touchdown lead in a loss at Clemson on Sept. 19, then had a week off to prepare for this one. Finding ways to generate more downfield passing gains was a focus, and Edwards found more success. The primary targets were wideout Jordan Shipp (seven catches for 109 yards) and Jelani Thurman (five catches for 50 yards and two TDs) as the Tar Heels flirted with a marquee win under Bill Belichick in the NFL coaching great’s second college season.
“The passing game’s really about team execution,” Belichick said. “It’s not just the quarterback.”
Notre Dame: vs. Stanford on Saturday.
UNC: at Pittsburgh on Saturday.
The No. 3 team in the country had UNC on the ropes early on at Kenan Stadium Saturday. The way the Tar Heels responded was a bright spot during a 37-26 loss to the Fighting Irish, offering hope for what's ahead this season.Notre Dame, already ahead by two touchdowns, was driving deep into the red zone midway through the second quarter, threatening to extend its lead to three scores.Following their loss to Clemson last time out, multiple Tar Heels talked about how that defeat was an opportunity to learn lessons on the need for t...
The No. 3 team in the country had UNC on the ropes early on at Kenan Stadium Saturday. The way the Tar Heels responded was a bright spot during a 37-26 loss to the Fighting Irish, offering hope for what's ahead this season.
Notre Dame, already ahead by two touchdowns, was driving deep into the red zone midway through the second quarter, threatening to extend its lead to three scores.
Following their loss to Clemson last time out, multiple Tar Heels talked about how that defeat was an opportunity to learn lessons on the need for toughness and resilience within a game when things aren't going your way.
And here was a chance to apply them.
UNC took advantage — through all three phases of the game.
It started with a goal-line stand, with the Tar Heels dropping Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr for a one-yard loss on third down at the 2 yard line and then forcing an incompletion on fourth down.
Then came the definition of a methodical drive. UNC marched 97 yards on 15 plays, chewing up seven-plus minutes of clock before quarterback Billy Edwards hit one of his favorite targets, tight end Jelani Thurman, for a 14-yard score with 21 seconds remaining in the half.
"There were times in the game where our execution was good," head coach Bill Belichick said. "We took the ball at the goal line and got it in a position where we were able to score and also not leave them any time to counterattack."
Edwards was a 7-of-8 for 77 yards on the drive, with all of the completions going to Thurman and fellow tight end Shamar Easter.
The Tar Heels took that momentum into the break, putting pressure on Notre Dame.
And on the first play of the second half, the Tar Heels struck again thanks to true freshman Jaden Jefferson.
Touching the ball for the first time ever at the collegiate level, the wide receiver from Oakland returned the kickoff 98 yards, going untouched on his way to the end zone and sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
"J. Jeff's put in a lot of work," said UNC wide receiver Jordan Shipp. "You can't teach the speed he has. He's great with the ball in his hands. I know we're going to find more ways to get him the ball."
Jefferson might've had the biggest play of the game, but Shipp was UNC's most consistent big-play producer.
The junior wideout set a career high with 109 receiving yards on seven catches, five of which went for first-down yardage. A diving one-hand catch for 13 yards and a 44-yard catch-and-run from Shipp powered the Tar Heels' opening drive, which ended with a 6-yard TD catch by Easter (the first of his career).
Complementing Shipp in Carolina's passing attack was Thurman, who made five catches for 50 yards as he recorded his first multi-TD game. Edwards also tied a career high with three TDs, completing 17-of-28 passes for 208 yards against the nation's second-best scoring defense.
Following Jefferson's score in the kickoff to start the second half, the Tar Heel defense had multiple opportunities to make another stand on Notre Dame's ensuing drive. But the Fighting Irish converted three fourth downs, including a 3-yard TD run by Carr that extended the visitors' lead to seven.
"In the future, when they're on fourth down, we know we got to get them off the field," said UNC cornerback Jaiden Patterson, who finished with seven tackles and two pass breakups.
Facing an excellent opponent, the consistency needed throughout a full 60-minute game wasn't quite there for UNC to knock off the third-ranked team. But the manner in which UNC made Saturday's matchup competitive through complementary football is a blueprint for the Tar Heels to follow.
"That's a really good football team over there," Shipp said of Notre Dame. "But I feel like today and in all the games we've played, we've proved we're a good football team, too. We did it versus TCU. These last two weeks, we just need to figure out ways to make plays when we need them."
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) — Michael Jordan is making a historic investment in the future of social work.The NBA legend and former Tar Heel has donated $10 million to UNC Chapel Hill’s School of Social Work, the largest single gift in the school’s history.He said his latest gift to his alma mater is about more than basketball; it honors his mother, Deloris Jordan, and her lifelong commitment to children, families, and communities. It also builds on a legacy his family started here three decades ago.&ldquo...
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) — Michael Jordan is making a historic investment in the future of social work.
The NBA legend and former Tar Heel has donated $10 million to UNC Chapel Hill’s School of Social Work, the largest single gift in the school’s history.
He said his latest gift to his alma mater is about more than basketball; it honors his mother, Deloris Jordan, and her lifelong commitment to children, families, and communities. It also builds on a legacy his family started here three decades ago.
“The investment that he made in social work with this gift actually started more than 30 years ago with the establishment of the Jordan Institute. He, too, is a champion of the social work mission,” said Ramona Denby-Brinson, Dean of the UNC School of Social Work.
The Jordan family helped establish the Jordan Institute for Families at UNC Chapel Hill in 1996. Now, they will expand that work and rename the school’s ‘Global Social Development Innovations Center’ after Deloris Jordan.
“We operate in more than 25 countries. When I think about the legacy that Mrs. Jordan has established in Africa and Kenya and Nairobi in particular, her service to women who have been harmed, women who are suffering violence, children who have been displaced, it really aligns with what our researchers are trying to do in terms of solutions to help families and strengthen families as well,” said Denby-Brinson.
The money will also help students afford a Master of Social Work. Part of the investment will launch the Jordan Family Scholars Program, with ten students receiving scholarships worth $12,500.
UNC leaders said that support is especially important as North Carolina faces a shortage of social workers.
“Some estimate that around the year 2030, we’ll be short around 26,000 and even as high as 30,000 social workers in our state alone,” said Denby-Brinson.
The school said Jordan’s gift will help train more social workers while expanding research and programs designed to support families here in North Carolina and around the world.
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