PITTSBURGH — In many ways, Pittsburgh played to its strength, grinding out slow drives and keeping the best offense in the ACC off the field.

Failing to finish did in the Panthers and left them on the short end in the key Coastal Division game.

Marquise Williams threw two long touchdown passes and North Carolina beat No. 23 Pittsburgh 26-19 on Thursday night.

Pitt started the game with a drive that lasted 8:19, but had to settle for Chris Blewitt’s 44-yard field goal. It was the Panthers’ only points of the first half. They trailed 20-3 at the start of the second when a blocked punt put them in business at the North Carolina 15. Again, the Panthers had to settle for 3.

Pitt held the ball for more than 35 minutes total.

The ACC Coastal showdown was the first of a three-week round-robin that will likely determine the division title.