Belichick Gets First College Win as Tar Heels Bounce Back Against Charlotte

Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

In a rain-soaked afternoon that felt more like mid-November than early September, college football witnessed a historic moment: Bill Belichick, the legendary six-time Super Bowl-winning coach, earned his first win at the college level as the North Carolina Tar Heels defeated the Charlotte 49ers, 20–3. A week removed from a nationally televised embarrassment against TCU, where the Tar Heels surrendered the most points in a season opener in program history, Belichick’s squad responded with a gritty, defense-led performance on the road. “It’s hard to win,” Belichick said postgame, in his trademark understated tone. “You gotta do a lot of things right. You gotta do it better than your opponent.”

A Fast Start — Then a Slog

North Carolina (1–1) wasted no time getting on the board. On their opening possession, sophomore quarterback Gio Lopez hit Chris Culliver in stride down the left sideline for a 51-yard touchdown. The explosive play, coming after two short completions, gave UNC a quick 7–0 lead and looked to be the start of a statement game.

But for the second straight week, the Tar Heels’ offense cooled after the opening drive.

It wasn’t until the final minute of the first half that UNC struck again, when Davion Gause sliced off left tackle for a 12-yard touchdown run, pushing the lead to 17–3. That score proved to be the backbreaker. “That drive before halftime was a huge momentum killer,” said Charlotte head coach Tim Albin. “But tonight is about us getting better, and I think we showed improvement in some areas.”

Lopez Returns, But UNC Offense Still Searching

Lopez, who left the TCU game with a back injury, started under center and delivered a serviceable performance, completing 17 of 25 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown.

“I didn’t feel 100%, but the trainers got me ready,” Lopez said. “It was good to get back out there and help us get a win.” Still, questions remain at quarterback. Backup Max Johnson impressed in Week 1 relief duty but did not see the field Saturday. Belichick’s decision to stick with Lopez suggests confidence, but UNC’s offensive inconsistencies might force further evaluation in the weeks ahead. “We’ve got to do a better job of sustaining drives,” Belichick said. “We left a lot out there.”

Defense Leads the Way

The true story of the game was North Carolina’s defense, which smothered Charlotte (0–2) from start to finish. The 49ers managed just 271 total yards — and a mere 21 yards on the ground — as Belichick’s fingerprints became visible on the defensive game plan.

Charlotte had a golden opportunity early in the third quarter to shift momentum. On 4th-and-6 inside the red zone, quarterback Conner Harrell escaped pressure and found E. Jai Mason open in the end zone. But Mason dropped the ball, and with it, any realistic shot at a comeback. Harrell finished the night 17-of-29 for 140 yards, but Charlotte’s inability to run the ball or protect the quarterback doomed their offensive rhythm.

“We just didn’t make a play when we had the chance,” Albin said.

What This Win Means

It’s only one game, but for a coach as decorated and scrutinized as Belichick, win No. 1 in the college ranks matters. After whispers about whether the 73-year-old was in over his head following the TCU blowout, Saturday’s performance offered signs of stability — at least on the defensive side of the ball. With Richmond coming to Chapel Hill next weekend, the Tar Heels have a chance to string together wins and build momentum heading into the heart of ACC play.

But for now, Belichick can finally say it: he’s a winning college coach.

Next Up:

• North Carolina (1–1): Hosts Richmond on Saturday.

• Charlotte (0–2): Travels to face East Carolina.