North Carolina’s defense delivers as Tar Heels edge TCU 15-10 in Ireland.
- Derik
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
DUBLIN — North Carolina opened Bill Belichick’s second season with a statement on the defensive side of the ball, rallying from an early deficit to defeat TCU 15-10 on Saturday in the Aer Lingus Classic. The Tar Heels overcame a 10-3 hole in the first quarter and shut out the Horned Frogs over their final eight possessions. North Carolina’s defense repeatedly came up with stops inside its own territory, including fourth-down stands on TCU’s final two meaningful drives. The victory marked a sharp turnaround from Belichick’s first game as North Carolina’s coach last season, when the Tar Heels were beaten 48-14 by TCU in Chapel Hill. “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.” North Carolina quarterback Billy Edwards Jr., a transfer from Wisconsin, provided a steady debut under new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino. Edwards completed 16 of 28 passes for 232 yards while Jordan Shipp led the Tar Heels with five receptions for 71 yards. The Tar Heels’ lone offensive touchdown came in the first quarter when Jaylen McGill scored on a 9-yard run following a fourth-down conversion. North Carolina took control before halftime when TCU punter John Hoyet Chance lost the snap and kicked the ball through the back of the end zone for a safety. The play put the Tar Heels ahead 12-10 with 1:49 remaining in the second quarter. Aeron Burrell later added his second field goal of the afternoon, connecting from 28 yards early in the third quarter to extend North Carolina’s lead to 15-10. That score was set up by a major defensive play from Melkart Abou Jaoude, who knocked the ball loose from TCU quarterback Jaden Craig on a blindside sack. Jaylen Harvey recovered the fumble at the TCU 31-yard line. North Carolina’s defensive front continued to make life difficult for Craig throughout the second half. Xavier Lewis recorded 4½ tackles for loss and two sacks, while Abou Jaoude finished with another strong performance after producing 10½ sacks a year ago. TCU controlled the ground game early, rushing for 111 yards before halftime. Jeremy Payne broke loose for a 48-yard run on the opening drive and finished with 142 rushing yards. The Tar Heels, however, adjusted after halftime and limited Payne and the TCU rushing attack to just 26 yards over the final two quarters.
“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.” Craig completed 20 of 32 passes for 175 yards in his first start for TCU. His biggest mistake came late in the fourth quarter when the Horned Frogs faced fourth-and-2 from the North Carolina 10-yard line. With TCU trailing 15-10, Craig rolled left and threw an incomplete pass rather than taking off for what appeared to be a possible first down. North Carolina took over with 4:05 remaining and was able to drain most of the clock. TCU had another opportunity moments earlier but Jeremy Payne was stopped on fourth-and-1 from the North Carolina 5. Dykes acknowledged afterward that the Horned Frogs could have settled for field goals on their final two deep possessions. “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.” TCU finished with 30 points or more in each of its previous 10 season openers, but that streak came to an end in Dublin. The Horned Frogs were also unable to generate the offensive production that had defined their recent season-opening performances, while North Carolina finished with 322 total yards. For Belichick and the Tar Heels, the win provides an early boost after last season’s 4-8 campaign and gives the program momentum heading into its home opener. Both teams will have a bye next week before returning to action Sept. 12. North Carolina will host East Tennessee State, while TCU will welcome Grambling State.
