North Carolina football vs TCU highlights: Bill Belichick falls in debut

Bill Belichick’s highly anticipated college football debut with North Carolina didn’t go exactly as planned for the six-time Super Bowl-winning coach.

The Belichick-led Tar Heels were held to just two touchdowns in their Week 1 opener against TCU, as they fell to the Horned Frogs 48-14 on Monday, Sept. 1 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

With the loss, UNC has now lost its season opener for the first time since 2021. The 48 points given up by the Tar Heels’ defense also are the most points allowed by any Belichick-led team, according to ESPN.

UNC opened the game on a hot start, as starting quarterback Gio Lopez led the Tar Heels down the field for 83 yards and a touchdown following the opening kickoff. That was then followed up by a quick defensive series by the Tar Heels that gave them the ball back with an early chance to go up two possessions.

It then all went downhill for Belichick and the Tar Heels.

TCU scored 48 unanswered behind an efficient game from quarterback Josh Hoover (27 of 36 passing for 284 yards and two touchdowns) and running back Kevorian Barnes, who finished with 113 rushing yards and a touchdown in the Horned Frogs win. Barnes opened the second half with a 75-yard rushing touchdown on the first play from scrimmage to provide the dagger.

The Horned Frogs outnumbered the Tar Heels in virtually every statistical category, including total yards of offense: 542 to 222.

Watch UNC vs. TCU football live with Fubo (free trial)

Following UNC's opening drive, the Tar Heels created just 139 total yards of offense in its 10 ensuing drives. Lopez went two hours and seven minutes in actual time without a completion, as his third completion of the night came at the 8:17 mark of the third quarter. He then left with an apparent injury later that quarter after taking a hard hit to the ground following a fumble that led into a 37-yard scoop-and-score touchdown for TCU edge rusher Devean Deal.

A bright side for UNC came when Max Johnson replaced Lopez under center and led the Tar Heels down the field for a touchdown just before time expired in the third quarter.

USA TODAY Sports provided updates, scores and highlights of the Tar Heels’ Week 1 loss. Check them out below:

UNC football vs TCU final score

This section will be updated

TEAMS	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	F
TCU	7	13	21	7	48
UNC	7	0	7	0	14

UNC vs TCU highlights

Here's a compilation of highlights from North Carolina's loss to TCU on Monday:

UNC vs TCU live updates

This section has been updated with new information

Final score: TCU 48, UNC 14

TCU defeats Bill Belichick, UNC

That will do it as TCU takes the knee at the UNC 9-yard line to seal the 48-14 win over Bill Belichick and the Tar Heels.

Josh Hoover extends TCU lead

TCU appears to not be cooling down on offense. Josh Hoover hits DJ Rogers for a 4-yard touchdown to increase the Horned Frogs lead to 48-14. It is the second touchdown pass of the night for Hoover, who is now up to 284 passing yards.

UNC fumbles ball, TCU recovers

North Carolina commits its third turnover of the night on offense as Davion Gause fumbles the ball at the line of scrimmage and it is recovered by TCU's Zachary Chapman.

The Horned Frogs take over at their own 24-yard line leading 41-14 with 11:47 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Gio Lopez injury update

UNC starting quarterback Gio Lopez appeared to have gotten injured at the 6:56 mark of the third quarter as he was tackled on the play that led to his fumble. The South Alabama transfer hobbled off the field after Devean Deal recovered the fumble and took it into the end zone for a touchdown.

As noted by the Fayetteville Observer's Rodd Baxley, Lopez wasn't seen on the sideline late in the third quarter when Max Johnson took over at quarterback for the Tar Heels. ESPN's Holly Rowe reported on the network's broadcast coming out of the third quarter timeout that Lopez was holding his right lower back and lower hip as he headed to the locker room, where he then collapsed and started screaming.

Third quarter: TCU 41, UNC 14

Max Johnson throws touchdown to brother Jake

Max Johnson has provided some life to the North Carolina offense as he hits his brother, Jake Johnson, for a 2-yard touchdown pass right at the goal line. It's a well-executed drive from Max Johnson, who gives the Tar Heels their first scoring drive since the opening kickoff.

UNC now trails TCU 41-14 with 29 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

Max Johnson takes over at quarterback for UNC

Gio Lopez's night is done as Bill Belichick goes to backup quarterback Max Johnson off the bench. Lopez will finish the night completing 4 of 10 passes for 70 yards

TCU scores off scoop-and-score

It's getting worse for UNC.

On third-and-14, Gio Lopez rolls out of the pocket and attempts to run it on the quarterback keeper but gets the ball knocked out of his hands by TCU defensive lineman Jonathan Bax. Devean Deal then scoops the ball up for a 37-yard scoop-and-score touchdown to extend TCU's lead to 41-7.

The Horned Frogs have now scored 41 unanswered points against the Tar Heels defense. It's also the second defensive touchdown of the night for TCU.

Trent Battle scores touchdown for TCU

TCU continues to pour it on UNC, as Trent Battle finds the hole on the left side of the field and takes it to the house for a 28-yard rushing touchdown on his first carry of the night. The Horned Frogs now have 170 rushing yards on the night.

Things have gotten rather ugly in Chapel Hill for Bill Belichick and UNC with TCU now up 34-7 with 8:30 remaining in the third quarter.

UNC punts

North Carolina's struggles on offense continues as the Tar Heels are forced to punt on their first drive of the second half. The longest play on the drive for the Tar Heels was a 3-yard carry from Gio Lopez, who has not completed a pass since the opening drive of the game.

It continues to be all TCU in this one.

Kevorian Barnes scores 75-yard touchdown

Kevorian Barnes takes the first play from scrimmage in the second half all the way to the house for a 75-yard rushing touchdown as he breaks a tackle and puts it into high gear down the right side of the field into the end zone.

It's the longest rushing touchdown since the 2022 season for the Horned Frogs, per ESPN's broadcast.

Another tough break for North Carolina's defense that has struggled since its first series of the night that resulted in forcing a punt.

First half: TCU 20, UNC 7

UNC trails TCU at halftime

Bill Belichick and UNC will head into the locker room trailing TCU 20-7 after Kyle Lemmermann hits a 33-yard field goal as time expires on the clock.

The Tar Heels struggled mightily in the first half on both sides of the ball after they walked down and scored on the opening kickoff. UNC recorded 20 total yards of offense on its five series after its opening drive that went 83 yards.

On defense, UNC has had trouble stopping the run and the big plays down the field. TCU recorded 243 total yards of offense in the first half and outnumbered UNC virtually in ever statistical category, including first downs 16-4.

Bud Clark intercepts Gio Lopez, scores pick-6 for TCU

Right after UNC recorded an interception, TCU comes up with one of its own and add six to the board as Bud Clark picks off Gio Lopez and walks it into the end zone for a 25-yard pick-6 return.

It's the 12th career interception for Clark.

UNC intercepts Josh Hoover

The Tar Heels come up with a much-needed takeaway as Washington transfer Kaleb Cost picks off Josh Hoover on third-and-4 at the UNC 19-yard line.

A big drive coming up for Gio Lopez and UNC's offense, as TCU's defense hasn't given UNC anything on offense since the Tar Heels went down the field and scored on the opening drive of the game. The Tar Heels have punted in each of their last three drives.

TCU takes lead over UNC with field goal

Kyle Lemmermann hits a 32-yard field to give TCU its first lead of the night at 10-7.

Horned Frogs were unable to cash in a touchdown on their scoring drive — which went 14 plays and took 6:24 off the game clock — after Josh Hoover's pass to Chase Curtis in the end zone was broken up by UNC's Coleman Bryson.

It's now scored 10 unanswered points for TCU after UNC went down the field to score on its opening drive. UNC's defense struggling to stop TCU's tempo on offense and coming up with tackles in the running game.

First Quarter: UNC 7, TCU 7

UNC tied with TCU after one quarter

Josh Hoover connects with wide receiver Joseph Manjack IV for a quick-dump, 6-yard catch in the middle to pick up the first down as time expires in the first quarter.

It's 7-7 between UNC and TCU after 15 minutes in Chapel Hill. TCU is moving on offense and knocking on the door to UNC's side of the field.

Josh Hoover throws 27-yard TD for TCU

Josh Hoover hits Jordan Dwyer up the left sideline for a 27-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7-7 against UNC. It's a perfectly placed ball by Hoover into the hands of Dwyer, who was going 1-on-1 with UNC defensive back Marcus Allen.

The scoring drive is six plays for 58 yards and took 2:31 off the game clock. UNC now looks to respond after a shaky second drive on offense.

UNC punts

North Carolina's offense hits a snag on its second series of the night, as the Tar Heels send out the punt unit for the first time. After starting the drive already in negative field position from a false start, UNC was further backed up after Gio Lopez took an 8-yard loss on second-and-15.

Tar Heels defense heads back out after a short drive on offense.

TCU punts

North Carolina's strong start continues on defense, as TCU sends the punt unit out onto the field after Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover sails a ball over North Carolina defenders on third-and-7.

The Tar Heels get the ball back at their own 35-yard line with 8:54 remaining in the first quarter.

Caleb Hood scores UNC touchdown

Caleb Hood opens up the Bill Belichick era at UNC with an 8-yard rushing touchdown up the middle. That's a nice opening series for the Tar Heels, who showed a nice balance between the run and passing game.

The scoring drive was seven plays for 83 yards and took 3:59 off the game clock.

TCU wins coin toss, defers kickoff

North Carolina will head out onto the field first as TCU won the coin toss and deferred the kickoff to the second half. The Chapel Bill era at UNC is officially underway!

Pregame

ESPN picks for UNC-TCU

Here is who the ESPN college football pregame crew picked to win Monday night's UNC-TCU game:

Desmond Howard: TCU
Tedy Bruschi: North Carolina
Nick Saban: North Carolina
Pat McAfee: North Carolina

Randy Moss on Bill Belichick's expectations at UNC

Appearing on ESPN's pregame show, Randy Moss shared what he expects to see from UNC and his former NFL coach in his college football debut vs. TCU on Monday.

"One thing I expect tonight is all three levels of the field first of all. But him (Belichick) being able to exploit the deep part of the passing field," Ross said.

Randy Moss in attendance for Bill Belichick's UNC debut

Pro Hall of Famer Randy Moss has made the trip to Chapel Hill to watch his former New England Patriots coach make his coaching debut at UNC.

Bill Belichick meets up with Nick Saban

It's not everyday two of the greatest football coaches in the world are in the same venue at the same time. It's what makes Bill Belichick going up to say hello to former Alabama coach Nick Saban — Belichick's assistant coach with the Cleveland Browns — such a neat football moment.

Bill Belichick takes photo with ESPN crew

Bill Belichick came over to say hello to the "College GameDay" crew — including Pat McAfee, Desmond Howard, Nick Saban and special guests Tedy Bruschi and Matt Barrie — in Chapel Hill during pregame warm-ups.

And of course there was a selfie that came out of it.

Bill Belichick UNC contract

As noted by USA TODAY, Belichick signed a five-year, $50 million contract with North Carolina. Though Belichick's with North Carolina is for five years, only the first three years of the contract are guaranteed.

Here's what incentives are included in Belichick's contract with North Carolina:

Belichick’s contract includes:

Bonuses for specific win totals, ranging from $150,000 for winning eight regular-season games to $350,000 for 12 regular-season wins.
A $200,000 bonus for reaching the conference championship game, which goes up to $300,000 if the Tar Heels win it.
A $750,000 bonus for making the College Football Playoff field, which jumps to $1.75 million if North Carolina wins the national championship.
A $250,000 bonus for being in the top 25 of the final College Football Playoff rankings. That total doubles to $500,000 if the Tar Heels land in the top five.
A $150,000 bonus for making a bowl game, which shoots up to $350,000 for appearing specifically in a "non-CFP Tier 1/elite bowl game," defined as the Pop-Tarts Bowl, Gator Bowl or Mayo Bowl.
A $100,000 bonus for winning ACC coach of the year and a $250,000 bonus for winning national coach of the year.
An annual $100,000 expense allowance.

UNC football depth chart

North Carolina's depth chart in the press box at Kenan Stadium is completely blank. Perhaps it's a sign that Bill Belichick doesn't want to give anything away ahead of games.

UNC warming up ahead of season opener vs TCU

The Tar Heels have taken the field at Kenan Stadium for pregame warmups ahead of their season opener vs. TCU. As noted by ESPN sideliner reporter Holly Rowe, North Carolina players are wearing cutoff, sleeveless hoodies while warming up on the sidelines ... a signature outfit that their new head coach, Bill Belichick, wore in the NFL with the New England Patriots.

Bill Belichick arrives for UNC debut

Bill Belichick, rocking what looks to be the Tar Heels' warmup track suit, has arrived on UNC's campus for the Old Well Walk pregame walk into the stadium.

Who is UNC football's offensive coordinator?

Freddie Kitchens is in his first season serving as Bill Belichick's offensive coordinator and tight ends coach in Chapel Hill.

The longtime NFL assistant and head coach served as the run game coordinator and tight ends coach for the Tar Heels under Mack Brown, and served as UNC's interim head coach for its Fenway Bowl game vs. UConn in January during the coaching changes.

Who is UNC football's quarterback in 2025?

South Alabama transfer Gio Lopez is UNC's starting quarterback for Week 1 vs. TCU. The 6-foot quarterback was among one of the top quarterbacks at the Group of Five conference level last season, as he finished with 2,559 passing yards and 25 total touchdowns, seven of which were rushing touchdowns.

"Gio has made a ton of progress. We have evaluated things through training camp. As (of) now, we get ready for TCU, he'll be our starting quarterback. So we'll give him a majority of the reps in practice and make sure we give him as much preparation as possible," UNC coach Bill Belichick said on Aug. 27.

Celebrities, VIP list for Bill Belichick's UNC debut

Chapel Hill seems to be the place to be on Monday for Labor Day as a plethora of sports icons and UNC royalty are expected to be in attendance for Bill Belichick's debut, including Michael Jordan, Mia Hamm, Lawrence Taylor and Julius Peppers.

Has Bill Belichick coached college football before?

No, Belichick has not coached a college football game before in his career. This means UNC's season opener vs. TCU will be the first game he has coached in the college ranks.

Click here to read more on Belichick's coaching career and history.

How old is Bill Belichick?

Bill Belichick turned 73 years old back in April.

Who did Bill Belichick replace at UNC?

Bill Belichick replaced Mack Brown in Chapel Hill as UNC's head coach in December. Brown was told in November of 2024 that he would be not coming back from the 2025 season, which put a sour end to the sixth season in his second tenure with the Tar Heels.

What time does UNC vs TCU start?

Date: Monday, Sept. 1
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Where: Kenan Stadium (Chapel Hill, N.C.)

The Week 1 matchup between UNC and TCU is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, Sept. 1 from Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Watch UNC vs. TCU football live with Fubo (free trial)

What TV channel is UNC vs TCU on today?

TV channel: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN app | Fubo (free trial)

UNC vs. TCU will broadcast nationally on ESPN and ESPNU in Week 1 of the 2025 college football season. Rece Davis and Kirk Herbstreit will call the game from the booth at Kenan Stadium, with Holly Rowe reporting from the sidelines.

Streaming options include the ESPN app (with a TV login) and Fubo, which carries the ESPN family of networks and offers a free trial to new subscribers.

UNC-TCU predictions

Rodd Baxley, The Fayetteville Observer: UNC 28, TCU 27

"The "Chapel Bill" era starts on Monday Night Football, with quarterback Josh Hoover and the Horned Frogs trying to build off a strong finish to the 2024 season. TCU is the safe pick because of its stability, but season openers have a tendency to be wacky. The Heels will build off the hype and start the season with a bang."

North Carolina football schedule 2025

Here is UNC's schedule for 2025: