UNC: Stewart, Hughes to miss game due to suspension

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) North Carolina cornerbacks M.J. Stewart and Mike Hughes have been suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules, sidelining them for Saturday's game against Wake Forest.

In a release Thursday night, the school said Stewart and Hughes were suspended from team-related activities tied to an Oct. 4 incident in Chapel Hill. The release didn't specify exactly what rule they had broken, though a statement from coach Larry Fedora referenced an ''altercation'' and that UNC has worked with Chapel Hill police to gather information.

''We hold our players to a high standard,'' Fedora said, ''and M.J. and Mike will face the consequences for their involvement.''

GET READY TO COMPETE

Pick your champion (you can change it later). We’ll email you when brackets open.

No purchase necessary. 50 U.S./D.C. 18+. Entry opens 3PM ET Dec 6, 2026 and closes 8PM ET Dec 18, 2026. Void where prohibited.See for complete details. The College Football Playoff (CFP) is not a sponsor or administrator of this contest.

A check of court and police records found no reports or pending cases tied to either player.

Stewart, a sophomore, has started all five games for the Tar Heels (4-1) and is fifth on the team with 20 tackles. It is the second suspension that will sideline him for a game; he was among four players to miss last year's opener related to an altercation with a walk-on during training camp.

Hughes, a freshman, has played in every game as a reserve and has three tackles.

Add us as a preferred source on Google