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No. 8 Tar Heels lose safety Sam Smiley to Achilles injury

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) Eighth-ranked North Carolina won't have starting safety Sam Smiley for the rest of the season because of a torn left Achilles tendon.

The school announced Thursday that Smiley had surgery Wednesday to repair an injury suffered last weekend in a victory over North Carolina State. The senior from Jacksonville, Florida, was tied for fifth on the team with 48 tackles.

The Tar Heels (11-1, 8-0 Atlantic Coast Conference, No. 10 CFP) will face No. 1 Clemson on Saturday in the ACC title game.

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