Tag Archives: UNC

Gio Lopez accounts for 3TDs as North Carolina dominates Richmond for Belichick’s first home win

Gio Lopez accounts for 3TDs as North Carolina dominates Richmond for Belichick’s first home win

By DOUG BONJOUR Associated Press

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Gio Lopez threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, freshman Demon June had 148 rushing yards and a touchdown, and North Carolina beat Richmond 41-6 on Saturday for its first home win of the Bill Belichick era.

Both passing touchdowns went to Jordan Shipp, who caught four passes for 52 yards.

Lopez went 10 of 18 for 119 yards and also threw an interception.

North Carolina’s defense was no match for the Spiders (1-2), who gained just 199 total yards. The Spiders also committed three turnovers, including a fumble that Makai Gbayor returned for a 62-yard touchdown.

The Tar Heels scored on their first four possessions and outgained Richmond 193-58 in the opening half to grab a 20-3 lead.

Hoping to regain momentum, Richmond recovered a surprise onside kick to begin the second half. The Spiders took their subsequent drive all the way down to the 1, where Kyle Wickersham was stuffed on a fourth down run.

Wickersham was 6 of 8 through the air for 47 yards.

THE TAKEAWAY

Richmond: The Spiders didn’t record a first down until early in the second quarter and managed just 199 total yards.

North Carolina: The Tar Heels authored their most complete performance under Belichick, scoring the first 20 points and never looking back.

UP NEXT

Richmond: Hosts VMI next Saturday.

Belichick on Patriots: ‘I’m not welcomed in their facility, so they aren’t welcomed in ours’

Belichick on Patriots: ‘I’m not welcomed in their facility, so they aren’t welcomed in ours’

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Bill Belichick has started a new chapter as head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels. After leaving the New England Patriots in January 2024, his relationship with the team has soured. Reports say he banned a Patriots scout from attending practices, Belichick confirmed that on Saturday, stating: “It’s clear I’m not welcomed in their facility, so they aren’t welcomed in ours.” Belichick won his first game with the Tar Heels on Saturday, beating Charlotte 20-3. Despite the win, Belichick deflected praise, emphasizing the team effort. His debut game on Monday ended in a loss to TCU, drawing criticism from detractors.… Continue Reading

Bill Belichick earns first win as college head coach as North Carolina defeats Charlotte 20-3

Bill Belichick earns first win as college head coach as North Carolina defeats Charlotte 20-3

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Bill Belichick has secured his first win as a college head coach. North Carolina defeated Charlotte 20-3 on a rainy Saturday. Gio Lopez threw a 51-yard touchdown pass to Chris Culliver on the first possession. Davion Gause added a 12-yard rushing score. North Carolina’s defense held Charlotte to 271 yards and forced two turnovers. This victory comes after a tough debut loss to TCU, where North Carolina allowed 48 points. Despite early questions about Belichick’s ability to win at this level, the Tar Heels responded with a solid performance. North Carolina will host Richmond next, while Charlotte will face Monmouth.… Continue Reading

Bill Belichick earns first win as college head coach as North Carolina defeats Charlotte 20-3

Bill Belichick earns first win as college head coach as North Carolina defeats Charlotte 20-3

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Bill Belichick has secured his first win as a college head coach. North Carolina defeated Charlotte 20-3 on a rainy Saturday. Gio Lopez threw a 51-yard touchdown pass to Chris Culliver on the first possession. Davion Gause added a 12-yard rushing score. North Carolina’s defense held Charlotte to 271 yards and forced two turnovers. This victory comes after a tough debut loss to TCU, where North Carolina allowed 48 points. Despite early questions about Belichick’s ability to win at this level, the Tar Heels responded with a solid performance. North Carolina will host Richmond next, while Charlotte will face Monmouth.… Continue Reading

Belichick loses college coaching debut as TCU uses 2 defensive TDs to beat UNC 48-14

Belichick loses college coaching debut as TCU uses 2 defensive TDs to beat UNC 48-14

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Bud Clark had a first-half pick-six and Kevorian Barnes had a 75-yard touchdown run on the first second-half snap to help TCU spoil Bill Belichick’s college coaching debut by rolling past North Carolina 48-14 on Monday night. The 73-year-old Belichick had won six Super Bowl titles in a 24-year run as head coach of the NFL’s New England Patriots. His Tar Heels scored on the first possession but TCU took over with 41 unanswered points. That included Devean Deal joining Clark with a defensive touchdown on a fumble return in a third quarter that turned the game into a romp.… Continue Reading

Belichick loses college coaching debut as TCU uses 2 defensive TDs to beat UNC 48-14

Belichick loses college coaching debut as TCU uses 2 defensive TDs to beat UNC 48-14

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Bud Clark had a first-half pick-six and Kevorian Barnes had a 75-yard touchdown run on the first second-half snap to help TCU spoil Bill Belichick’s college coaching debut by rolling past North Carolina 48-14 on Monday night. The 73-year-old Belichick had won six Super Bowl titles in a 24-year run as head coach of the NFL’s New England Patriots. His Tar Heels scored on the first possession but TCU took over with 41 unanswered points. That included Devean Deal joining Clark with a defensive touchdown on a fumble return in a third quarter that turned the game into a romp.… Continue Reading

Bill Belichick won big in the NFL. Can he do it as a rookie college coach at North Carolina?

Bill Belichick won big in the NFL. Can he do it as a rookie college coach at North Carolina?

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina is set for its football debut under Bill Belichick. The Tar Heels open the season Monday against TCU. That will mark the first game at the college level for Belichick after spending his entire coaching career in the NFL. Belichick led the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl titles during a 24-year run there. Now he’s recruiting high school players and meeting with school donors. It’s all part of a bet by UNC that the 73-year-old college rookie can elevate its football program. That includes paying Belichick $10 million guaranteed for each of the next three years.… Continue Reading

North Carolina begins its journey under Bill Belichick with a spotlight – and plenty of uncertainty

North Carolina begins its journey under Bill Belichick with a spotlight – and plenty of uncertainty

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Bill Belichick’s arrival in college as put the spotlight on North Carolina. Belichick is making his first college coaching stop after leading the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl titles as a head coach. Belichick’s hiring marks a bet and increased investment in football for the school. That includes paying Belichick $10 million guaranteed for three years in a five-year deal. The Tar Heels are picked to finish eighth in the 17-team Atlantic Coast Conference. They open the season on Labor Day in a college version of Monday night football against TCU.… Continue Reading

North Carolina’s first standalone children’s hospital set to bring 8,000 jobs to Apex

North Carolina’s first standalone children’s hospital set to bring 8,000 jobs to Apex

APEX, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina’s first standalone children’s hospital will be built in a bedroom community of Raleigh. UNC Health and Duke Health announced the Apex location on Thursday. The announcement follows their January agreement to jointly develop the 500-bed pediatric hospital. The campus will also include outpatient care, over 100 behavioral health beds, and a research and education center. The project is expected to bring 8,000 jobs to the area and will be incorporated into a mixed-use development location. A campus construction groundbreaking is set to begin in 2027, with an estimated cost of $2 billion to $3 billion.… Continue Reading

UNC announces AD transition plan from Bubba Cunningham to RFK Racing president Steve Newmark in 2026

UNC announces AD transition plan from Bubba Cunningham to RFK Racing president Steve Newmark in 2026

North Carolina has announced its transition plan at athletic director from Bubba Cunningham to RFK Racing team president Steve Newmark for next summer. The school said Tuesday that Cunningham received a two-year contract extension and will serve as AD for the 2025-26 sports season. Newmark will report to him through the year as an executive associate AD working on “revenue-driving initiatives,” particularly related to the school’s football and men’s basketball programs. Then Newmark would take over as AD next summer. Cunningham has been the Tar Heels’ athletic director since 2011.… Continue Reading

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