UNC defeats TCU in Week 0, while Virginia and North Dakota State post strong openings

North Carolina, coached by Bill Belichick, earned a 15-10 victory over TCU in Dublin, marking a favorable beginning for the former NFL coach's second year with the Tar Heels. The win came after a difficult offseason that saw UNC place general manager Michael Lombardi on indefinite leave and sideline defensive coordinator Steven Belichick with a medical issue. UNC relied on veteran quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. and a defensive front that recorded three sacks and six tackles for loss, highlighted by sophomore Xavier Lewis.

TCU struggled offensively, committing 11 penalties, converting only eight of 21 third- and fourth-down attempts, and posting modest averages of 2.7 yards per carry and 5.5 yards per pass attempt. The Horned Frogs also faced quarterback uncertainty after losing starter Josh Hoover to Indiana, with Harvard transfer Jaden Craig managing just 175 passing yards.

Virginia posted a 34-8 win over North Carolina State, limiting CJ Bailey to 84 passing yards and allowing only one gain of more than 14 yards. Transfer quarterback Beau Pribula contributed 110 rushing yards and two passing touchdowns.

North Dakota State continued its dominance in the Football Championship Subdivision with a 33-7 victory over Jacksonville State in its FBS debut, holding the Gamecocks to 85 rushing yards while gaining 209 on the ground and 373 total yards.

USC beat San Jose State 42-26, though a late defensive lapse allowed 23 fourth-quarter points, giving new defensive coordinator Gary Patterson areas to improve.

The week’s losers included TCU, which failed to generate sufficient quarterback production; NC State, which was out-gained by North Carolina and forced into turnovers; and UNLV, which surrendered a lead to Memphis, resulting in a 27-21 loss.

"The Tar Heels displayed a Belichick-era blueprint for winning close, low-scoring games by leaning on low-error play," the article noted.

The outcomes set the tone for the upcoming schedules, with UNC facing Clemson, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh and Duke later in the season.