Invoice Belichick secured his first win in opposition to a Energy 4 opponent throughout North Carolina’s 27-10 victory over Syracuse on Friday. UNC entered this weekend 0-5 in opposition to Energy 4 competitors and was coming off back-to-back devastating losses in ACC play in opposition to Cal and Virginia, the place Belichick’s crew had an opportunity to win the sport within the last moments.
The spotlight of Belichick’s tenure at UNC up to now — and a fruits of his crew exhibiting gradual enchancment all through the course of the season — was on show when the Tar Heels snapped their four-game dropping skid in opposition to the Orange. It was additionally the primary time UNC scored at the least 21 factors in opposition to a Energy 4 crew this season.
North Carolina quarterback Gio Lopez completed 15 of 19 for 216 yards and two touchdowns. The Tar Heels trailed 10-6 at halftime earlier than scoring 21 unanswered factors within the second half to tug away for good. UNC racked up 425 yards of whole offense and held Syracuse to only 147.
The Belichick period at UNC started with a blowout loss in opposition to TCU earlier than the long-time New England Patriots coach secured his first win on the faculty degree in opposition to Charlotte. UNC misplaced its final two video games in opposition to Cal and Virginia by 4 factors mixed. Towards Cal, UNC had an opportunity to take the lead within the last minutes earlier than fumbling on the purpose line. Within the recreation in opposition to the Virginia, UNC was unable to transform on a 2-point conversion that might’ve given Belichick’s crew a walk-off win.
Regardless of shifting to 3-5 (1-3 ACC), North Carolina and Belichick nonetheless face an uphill climb to turn out to be bowl eligible. The Tar Heels face Stanford subsequent at dwelling and shut out the season with video games in opposition to Wake Forest, Duke and NC State.
North Carolina might want to win at the least three of its 5 4 video games to keep away from lacking a bowl recreation for the primary time since 2018.
