Belichick loses college coaching
debut as TCU uses 2 defensive TDs to beat UNC 48-14
[September 02, 2025]
By AARON BEARD
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.
“We wanted this game to be about us, and it was,” TCU coach Sonny
Dykes said.
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
(0-1) scored on the game’s first possession, but the Horned Frogs
steadily took control to drive a full-house hostile crowd to the
exits well before the fourth quarter.
“I think we all felt a little disrespected,” Dykes said. “There was
a lot of conversation about this game and none of it was about us.”
Clark’s 25-yard return late in the second was the first of two
defensive touchdowns for the Horned Frogs (1-0), the other being
Devean Deal’s 37-yard scoop-and-score in the third.
TCU’s Josh Hoover threw for two scores while Jordan Dwyer finished
with nine catches for 136 yards and a 27-yard first-quarter TD.
Trent Battle added his own score by running untouched around the
left side for 28 yards as TCU built a 41-7 lead.
The 48 points scored by TCU marked the most allowed by UNC in any
opener in its history, according to Sportradar.
"They were clearly the better team tonight,” Belichick said. “They
deserved to win and they did it decisively.”
Caleb Hood ran for a score for the Tar Heels’ first touchdown under
Belichick. South Alabama transfer quarterback Gio Lopez completed 4
of 10 passes for 69 yards before exiting the game after halftime
with a back injury.
TCU outgained UNC 542-222 in total offense.
The takeaway
TCU: It was quite a reversal for the Horned Frogs, who lost two
years ago as the “other” team in the Colorado debut of former NFL
superstar Deion Sanders but took over this one in a stretch of 41
unanswered points.
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TCU wide receiver Jordan Dwyer (7) hauls in a touchdown pass over
North Carolina defensive back Marcus Allen (29) during the first
half of an NCAA college football game Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, in
Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
“It was different," Dykes said of the Colorado
game. "I didn’t go into that game with the same level of confidence
that I came into this on. Not because of our opponent, but just
because of the way we prepared.”
UNC: Belichick had overhauled the roster, with UNC
bringing in roughly 70 new players between transfers and incoming
recruits. This was a sign it will take time to make good on UNC’s
bet that he can elevate its football program.
Johnson's return
Max Johnson took over at QB for UNC after Lopez's exit for his first
action since returning from a catastrophic leg injury suffered in
last year's opener at Minnesota.
Johnson, who lost the battle for the starting job to Lopez,
completed 9 of 11 passes for 103 yards and a late touchdown. That
all came with the outcome no longer in doubt.
“It's just a blessing to be able to play football again,” Johnson
said.
Up next
TCU: The Horned Frogs get a week off before returning with a home
game against Abilene Christian on Sept. 13.
UNC: The Tar Heels have a short turnaround, visiting the state’s
biggest city with a trip to Charlotte on Saturday.
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