'When in doubt, find 45': Jelani Thurman matches UNC football record vs UConn

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On a rainy, record-matching afternoon for tight end Jelani Thurman , quarterback Billy Edwards didn't want to describe it as a "big" performance.

"I don't want to say that big because that's what is expected of him," Edwards said in an interview on the CBS Sports Network after UNC football's 38-21 win at UConn .

"He's a dog. He's proved himself time and time again this season. Makes my job easier as a quarterback. When in doubt, find 45 and get him the ball. You saw what he was able to do with it."

No. 45 for the Tar Heels (5-4, 2-3 ACC) has eight touchdowns through nine games, matching the single-season record set by Mike Chatham in 1979. Thurman will have a chance to break that 47-year-old mark over the final three games of the regular season.

"I feel like that's just great preparation," Thurman said after hauling in seven catches for 64 yards and two touchdowns against the Huskies (4-5).

"My offense believing in me, my (offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino) believing in me, my team believing in me, my quarterback finding me, making great plays."

An Ohio State transfer with a 6-foot-6, 245-pound frame, Thurman has caught multiple TDs in three games since joining the Tar Heels. When asked during a postgame press conference what Thurman does for UNC's offense, Bill Belichick struggled to find a weakness.

"Just a really good player. He's got good length, he's fast, he's got really good hands, he's good running after the catch, he blocks well," Belichick said.

"You have to respect the running game behind him. He's good on catch-and-run plays and he's good down the field. It's almost impossible to overthrow him. He's got a great catch radius. We saw that last week (against Miami) on a touchdown catch in the back of the end zone. Yeah, he's done a great job for us."

As Thurman was wrapping up his interview with reporter Tiffany Blackmon, wide receiver Jordan Shipp and running back Demon June snuck up behind him, yelling his name and his number with smiles stretched across their faces.

Despite his individual success, Thurman was more elated about UNC's ability to put together a complete performance, which helped the Tar Heels exceed their win total from Belichick's debut season.

It also puts Thurman and his team within one victory of becoming bowl eligible.

"It feels good to actually come out here and get a win, put four quarters of football up, execute and just show the world what we got," Thurman said.

Rodd Baxley covers North Carolina Tar Heels athletics for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding UNC? Send them to rbaxley@usatodayco.com .