Bill Belichick Opens Year 2 at North Carolina With Statement Win Over TCU in Ireland.

DUBLIN — Bill Belichick’s second season at North Carolina is off to a much different start.

The Tar Heels opened the 2026 season Saturday with a gritty 15-10 victory over TCU in the Aer Lingus Classic, overcoming an early deficit and shutting down the Horned Frogs for the final three quarters. For Belichick, the win provided an early sign of progress after North Carolina struggled through a 4-8 campaign in his first season. “I’m just happy for the players,” Belichick said. “They’ve worked really hard. To have positive results back up that hard work, reinforces it.” The Tar Heels fell behind 10-3 after TCU scored on its first two possessions, but North Carolina’s defense gradually took control. The Horned Frogs were held scoreless after the first quarter and managed just 26 rushing yards following halftime.

TCU had multiple opportunities to regain the lead late in the game but could not finish either drive. Running back Jeremy Payne, who finished with 142 rushing yards, was stopped on fourth-and-1 at the North Carolina 5-yard line. On TCU’s final possession, quarterback Jaden Craig faced fourth-and-2 from the 10-yard line and threw an incomplete pass while rolling to his left. The turnover on downs allowed North Carolina to take over with 4:05 remaining and eventually drain the clock. Craig completed 20 of 32 passes for 175 yards in his first start for the Horned Frogs. TCU coach Sonny Dykes acknowledged the difficulty of failing to capitalize on those late opportunities. “Looking back now obviously, I wish we had kicked the two field goals,” Dykes said. “But at the time, it makes sense to try. When you’re not moving the football, you’ve got to try to get the ball in the end zone.”

North Carolina’s Defense Delivers

The Tar Heels’ defensive front became the difference-maker as the game progressed.

Melkart Abou Jaoude recorded a blindside sack of Craig early in the second half, forcing a fumble that Jaylen Harvey recovered at the TCU 31-yard line. That turnover gave North Carolina an immediate scoring opportunity, and Aeron Burrell converted a 28-yard field goal to extend the Tar Heels’ advantage to 15-10. Abou Jaoude, who recorded 10½ sacks last season, was one of several Tar Heels creating problems up front. Xavier Lewis was particularly disruptive, finishing with 4½ tackles for loss and two sacks. Belichick credited the defensive front for adjusting after TCU’s strong start on the ground. “Once we kind of got settled down a little bit on the outside runs ... we kind of forced him to cut back,” Belichick said. “Those guys did a good job inside.” The adjustment was significant. TCU entered halftime with 111 rushing yards but managed only 26 on the ground after the break.

Edwards Provides a Steady Start

North Carolina also received a solid debut from quarterback Billy Edwards Jr., a transfer from Wisconsin. Edwards completed 16 of 28 passes for 232 yards while helping the Tar Heels move the ball effectively under new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino. Jordan Shipp led North Carolina’s receiving corps with five catches for 71 yards. The Tar Heels’ lone touchdown came in the first quarter when Jaylen McGill scored on a 9-yard run following a successful fourth-and-7 conversion. Burrell supplied the rest of North Carolina’s scoring with two field goals. One of those field goals came after a bizarre play late in the first half that gave the Tar Heels the lead. With 1:49 remaining before halftime, a snap sailed over the head of TCU punter John Hoyet Chance and rolled through the back of the end zone for a safety, putting North Carolina ahead 12-10. It was a critical moment in a game where points were difficult to come by.

A Different Beginning for Belichick

The victory marked a stark contrast from Belichick’s first season opener at North Carolina.

The Tar Heels were dominated by TCU 48-14 in last year’s opener, setting the tone for a difficult first season under the longtime NFL coach. This time, North Carolina found a way to withstand TCU’s early offensive success, make defensive adjustments and finish the game.

The Tar Heels totaled 322 yards of offense and scored 10 points in the opening quarter, matching their total number of first-quarter points from all but one game last season.

TCU, meanwhile, saw its streak of scoring at least 30 points in season openers come to an end at 10 games. North Carolina will now have an open date before returning home Sept. 12 to host East Tennessee State. TCU will also have a week off before facing Grambling State on Sept. 12. For Belichick and the Tar Heels, the trip to Ireland produced something they rarely had last season against Power Four competition: an early statement that this team may be capable of a different kind of season.