North Carolina defeats TCU 15-10 in Bill Belichick's season opener
Quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. led North Carolina to a 15-10 victory over TCU in the Aer Lingus Classic, marking the first win of Bill Belichick's second year as the Tar Heels' head coach.
North Carolina opened Bill Belichick's second season as head coach with a 15-10 win over TCU in Dublin during the Aer Lingus Classic. New quarterback Billy Edwards Jr., a transfer from Wisconsin, completed 16 of 28 passes for 232 yards, while Aeron Burrell contributed two field goals.
TCU took an early 10-3 lead but failed to score again after the Horned Frogs were stopped on fourth-and-short deep in Tar Heels territory on their final two drives. The Tar Heels took a 12-10 lead late in the first half following a safety when a TCU punt snapped over the punter's head.
North Carolina added a ninth-quarter field goal and a 9-yard rushing touchdown by Jaylen McGill, finishing with 322 total yards. TCU quarterback Jaden Craig, who previously set passing records at Harvard, threw for 175 yards on 20 of 32 completions. The Horned Frogs incurred 10 penalties for 95 yards, including a late defensive offside penalty.
The win ends a streak of losses for the Tar Heels against Power-Five opponents and marks the first time they have led at halftime against such a team this season.