Category Archives: UNC Football

Wake Forest rides Carlos Hernandez’s big plays, defense past North Carolina 28-12

Wake Forest rides Carlos Hernandez’s big plays, defense past North Carolina 28-12

By BOB SUTTON The Associated Press

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — Wake Forest’s Carlos Hernandez scored two touchdowns, including one by returning a teammate’s fumble, on plays that caught North Carolina off guard and the Demon Deacons didn’t allow a touchdown in a 28-12 victory Saturday.

Hernandez racked up 100 receiving yards on six catches and Robby Ashford threw for a touchdown and ran for another for Wake Forest (7-3, 4-3 Atlantic Coast Conference). Demond Claiborne ran for 98 yards, including a 12-yard touchdown.

North Carolina’s Rece Verhoff kicked four field goals, including a record-setting boot, but he had two other attempts blocked. The Tar Heels (4-6, 2-4) had a two-game winning streak snapped. They’ll have to win their final two games against in-state rivals to reach bowl eligibility in coach Bill Belichick’s first season as a college head coach.

Ashford was 15-for-25 passing for 191 yards and also picked up 50 yards on the ground, with his 2-yard, fourth-down TD run coming with 22 seconds left.

Gio Lopez went 21 for 36 for 201 yards for the Tar Heels, who had 56 rushing yards compared to Wake Forest’s 223.

Hernandez scored the first touchdown after recovering Ashford’s fumble, scooping the ball near a pile of players and racing 50 yards to the end zone to conclude the game’s opening possession.

Verhoff booted a school-record 57-yard field goal on the last play of the first half, pulling North Carolina to within 14-6. He had other field goals from 40, 42 and 47 yards.

The Demon Deacons went up 21-9 in the third quarter on a flea flicker, with Hernandez going 56 yards down the sideline to complete a 70-yard play.

The Takeaway

North Carolina: The Tar Heels got away with stretches of sluggish offense against Syracuse and Stanford, but that wasn’t the case in the first of three consecutive games against in-state opponents.

Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons went 2-2 in ACC home games and assured themselves of a winning season in coach Jack Dickert’s first season.

Up Next

North Carolina: Saturday at home vs. Duke

Wake Forest: Saturday at home vs. Delaware

UNC’s Belichick says he has ‘not and will not’ pursue open NFL jobs, is committed to Tar Heels

UNC’s Belichick says he has ‘not and will not’ pursue open NFL jobs, is committed to Tar Heels

North Carolina coach Bill Belichick said he isn’t pursuing any jobs as a head coach in the NFL. That comes amid the first changes of the current hiring cycle. In a statement posted on social media Friday night, the 73-year-old who led the NFL’s New England Patriots to six Super Bowl titles said he remains committed to building the Tar Heels program. In the statement, Belichick said: “I have not and will not pursue any NFL head coaching vacancies.” Belichick’s Tar Heels have won two straight entering Saturday’s game at Wake Forest.… Continue Reading

Lopez throws 2 TD passes, North Carolina beats Stanford 20-15

Lopez throws 2 TD passes, North Carolina beats Stanford 20-15

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Gio Lopez threw for two touchdowns and North Carolina produced nine sacks to beat Stanford 20-15 for their second straight victory in ACC play under coach Bill Belichick. Jordan Shipp’s 55-yard touchdown catch gave the Tar Heels (4-5) a 20-3 lead early in the fourth quarter, and the Tar Heels held on despite two late Stanford touchdowns.… Continue Reading

Bill Belichick wins first ACC game as North Carolina rallies to defeat Syracuse 27-10

Bill Belichick wins first ACC game as North Carolina rallies to defeat Syracuse 27-10

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — Demon June accounted for two touchdowns and nearly 200 yards on offense, Gio Lopez threw for two scores, and Bill Belichick won his first Atlantic Coast Conference game when North Carolina came from behind to defeat Syracuse 27-10. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Tar Heels (3-5, 1-3 ACC), while the Orange (3-6, 1-5) lost for the fifth consecutive time. North Carolina lost its previous two games by a combined four points.… Continue Reading

No. 16 Virginia edges North Carolina in overtime on J’Mari Taylor’s TD run

No. 16 Virginia edges North Carolina in overtime on J’Mari Taylor’s TD run

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — J’Mari Taylor scored on a 1-yard run in overtime, lifting No. 16 Virginia to a 17-16 victory over North Carolina on Saturday. The Tar Heels answered with Davion Gause’s 9-yard touchdown grab, but Ben Hall was stopped just short of the end zone on the ensuing 2-point try. Chandler Morris threw for 200 yards with one touchdown and one interception for the Cavaliers (7-1, 4-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), who are off to their best start since 2007. Gio Lopez finished with 208 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions for the Tar Heels (2-5, 0-3), who lost their fourth straight.… Continue Reading

Belichick says suspended North Carolina assistant coach is back working with Tar Heels

Belichick says suspended North Carolina assistant coach is back working with Tar Heels

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina coach Bill Belichick said suspended cornerbacks coach Armond Hawkins has been reinstated and returned to work ahead of a visit from No. 16 Virginia. The school had announced Oct. 9 that it suspended Hawkins for “violating NCAA rules” tied to improper benefits. UNC’s statement didn’t specify a length of the suspension. It had also said he would remain on leave while the school “further investigates other potential actions detrimental” to the team and school. Belichick said Monday school officials “went through their process” with Hawkins and that he was back to work.… Continue Reading

Brent Austin’s goal-line heroics secure California’s 21-18 win over Belichick and North Carolina

Brent Austin’s goal-line heroics secure California’s 21-18 win over Belichick and North Carolina

BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — Brent Austin forces a fumble at the goal line and recovers it in the end zone, securing California’s 21-18 victory over North Carolina on Friday night. North Carolina was close to a go-ahead score when Austin knocked the ball loose. With 3:48 left, California regained possession. Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele completed two key passes on the next drive, helping Cal run down the clock. Sagapolutele also threw a touchdown pass and ran for another score. Despite a competitive game, North Carolina remains winless against power conference opponents under Bill Belichick.… Continue Reading

Bill Belichick says he never sought an early departure from the North Carolina job

Bill Belichick says he never sought an early departure from the North Carolina job

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Bill Belichick has denied reports that he’s been seeking an exit strategy from his North Carolina coaching role. Belichick says “some of the reports out last week about my looking for a buyout and trying to leave here and all that, it’s just categorically false.” Belichick was making his first public comments since a blowout loss to Clemson. During the second of two off weeks in a three-week span, the subject of Belichick’s future with the Tar Heels was a hot topic, so much so that last Wednesday the university released brief statements from the coach and athletics director reaffirming commitments between Belichick and the school.… Continue Reading

Bill Belichick’s 1st season at North Carolina has run into problems on and off the field

Bill Belichick’s 1st season at North Carolina has run into problems on and off the field

Bill Belichick’s first season at North Carolina has run into problems both on and off the field. The Tar Heels are 2-3 but have lost in lopsided fashion in all three of their games against power-conference opponents. A person with knowledge of the situation said the school has also suspended an assistant coach while it looks into potential NCAA rules violations tied to improper benefits. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the school hasn’t publicly discussed the suspension. UNC is off this week and next plays at California on Oct. 17.… Continue Reading

Dabo Swinney and Clemson find positives after a bye. Bill Belichick and UNC find more of the same

Dabo Swinney and Clemson find positives after a bye. Bill Belichick and UNC find more of the same

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Clemson coach Dabo Swinney found reason for optimism while North Carolina coach Bill Belichick found only more of the same struggles in Saturday’s meeting. Clemson won 38-10 on the road. That included scoring 28 points in the first quarter. Both teams were coming off an open date after struggles in September. It marked UNC’s third blowout loss to a power-conference opponent in as many games this year for the 73-year-old Belichick. It marked the second time this year that the Tar Heels played much of the second half in a largely empty home stadium due to a lopsided score.… Continue Reading

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