Durham Fills In for Pasch as Notre Dame Beats UNC 37-26 in Rain

Key points

• Wes Durham filled in for Dave Pasch on the ESPN broadcast of Notre Dame vs. North Carolina on Oct. 3, 2026.
• Pasch was in London for his NFL Network debut, calling the Colts-Commanders game alongside Kurt Warner and Jason Kelce.
• Notre Dame defeated North Carolina 37-26 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, NC.
• The game featured rainy and windy weather, with potential lightning delays, as noted by One Foot Down.
• Durham is a long-time ACC Network voice and the son of former UNC radio announcer Woody Durham.
• Pasch signed an exclusive deal with NFL Network in June, ending his 24-season run as the Cardinals' radio announcer.

Background

Notre Dame entered the game as the No. 3 ranked team, seeking to fix a struggling rushing attack, while North Carolina aimed to overcome inconsistent quarterback play. The matchup was part of Notre Dame's first ACC game of the 2026 season. Durham has been with ACC Network since its 2019 launch and previously called Virginia Tech-Boston College for the conference network. Pasch's move to NFL Network was announced in June, and he was set to call four games, including the league's first-ever game in Paris on Oct. 25.

How outlets are covering it

Awful Announcing focused on the broadcast personnel changes, highlighting Durham's promotion and Pasch's NFL debut. ESPN's source was inaccessible, but UNC Athletics provided game day details, including the 37-26 final score and weather conditions. One Foot Down emphasized the weather, noting rain and potential lightning delays during the game. All sources agreed on the final score and the broadcast lineup, but differed in emphasis: Awful Announcing on the announcers, UNC Athletics on game day logistics, and One Foot Down on weather impacts.

Why it matters

The game marked Notre Dame's first ACC victory of the 2026 season and highlighted the transition of Dave Pasch from college football to NFL Network. Wes Durham's fill-in role underscores the interconnectedness of ESPN and ACC Network broadcasting, while the weather conditions added a unique challenge to the game day experience. The result also reflects the ongoing struggles of both teams' offensive units, as noted in prior coverage.

What to watch

Pasch will continue his NFL Network schedule, including the Eagles-Jaguars game in London on Oct. 11 and the Saints-Steelers game in Paris on Oct. 25. Durham may fill in for Pasch on future ESPN college football broadcasts if Pasch is traveling for NFL games. Notre Dame will continue its 2026 season, while North Carolina will face Pittsburgh on Oct. 10.