TCU Spoils Belichick Party
TCU handed North Carolina a decisive 48-14 defeat in front of over 50,000 spectators at Kenan Stadium on September 1, 2025, spoiling the college coaching debut of Bill Belichick. The Horned Frogs overcame an early Tar Heels lead, scoring 41 consecutive points through a combination of explosive offense and opportunistic defense.
Game Flow
North Carolina struck first with a commanding 83-yard drive, capped by an eight-yard rushing touchdown from Caleb Hood. TCU quickly answered with a six-play, 58-yard drive ending with Josh Hoover’s 27-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Dwyer, tying the score 7-7. The Horned Frogs then seized control, adding a pair of field goals and a 25-yard interception return by Bud Clark for a halftime lead of 20-7. UNC struggled offensively after its opening drive, netting just 20 yards for the remainder of the first half.
Third Quarter Surge
TCU’s Kevorian Barnes broke the game open with a 75-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second half. Moments later, Trent Battle added a 28-yard rushing score, and Davean Deal returned a fumble recovery for a 37-yard touchdown—leading to a commanding 41-7 advantage. North Carolina briefly responded with a touchdown from Max Johnson to his brother Jake Johnson, but TCU capped its performance with a four-yard touchdown pass from Hoover to DJ Rogers in the fourth quarter.
Key Performers
- Josh Hoover (TCU QB): 27-of-36 passing for 284 yards and two touchdowns.
- Jordan Dwyer (TCU WR): Nine receptions for 136 yards and one touchdown.
- Kevorian Barnes (TCU RB): 113 rushing yards, highlighted by a 75-yard score.
- Bud Clark (TCU DB): 25-yard interception return for a touchdown, headline defensive play.
- Max Johnson (UNC QB): Nine-of-11 passing for 103 yards and a late touchdown after entering in relief.
- Jordan Shipp (UNC WR): Four receptions for 84 yards.
Statistical Recap
| Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCU | 7 | 13 | 21 | 7 | 48 |
| North Carolina | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
Coaches’ Reactions
TCU Head Coach Sonny Dykes noted the team’s focus was on its own execution and expressed satisfaction with the balanced effort. Belichick, in his first collegiate game, saw his Tar Heels plagued by offensive inconsistency and an inability to respond after initial success.
TCU leaves Chapel Hill with momentum for the season, while North Carolina faces a quick turnaround and seeks adjustments after a sobering opening experience.
