Bill Belichick Celebrates First College Victory as UNC Rallies from Disappointing Season Opener

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Gio Lopez kicked off the scoring with a 51-yard touchdown pass to Chris Culliver, helping North Carolina defeat Charlotte 20-3 on a rainy Saturday. Davion Gause added a 12-yard rushing touchdown, giving Bill Belichick his first win as a college head coach.

Lopez had a solid game, completing 17 of 25 passes for 155 yards. North Carolina’s defense was a standout, limiting Charlotte to 271 yards and forcing two turnovers.

Belichick, known for his six Super Bowl wins with the New England Patriots, played down the importance of this win, saying, “It’s hard to win. You have to do a lot of things right. We were fortunate today.” He emphasized that while he guided the team, the players did the hard work on the field.

North Carolina signed Belichick to a five-year, $50 million contract to elevate the school’s athletic profile. However, his initial game saw the team suffer a heavy loss to TCU, raising doubts about his transition to college football, especially given his age of 73.

In this match, North Carolina started strong but hit a lull similar to their previous game. After some struggles, Gause’s touchdown just before halftime gave them a 17-3 lead. Charlotte’s coach, Tim Albin, noted that this drive shifted momentum: “But tonight is about us getting better,” he said, acknowledging their need for improvement.

Charlotte had opportunities to close the gap, including a missed touchdown catch by E. Jai Mason in the third quarter, a moment that left their quarterback, Conner Harrell, visibly upset. Harrell completed 17 of 29 passes for 140 yards.

Lopez mentioned struggling with a back injury during practice but felt more ready to play this week. “We didn’t play our best ball against TCU,” he said, relieved to get back on the field. Belichick praised Lopez for his ability to improvise and extend plays, highlighting the teamwork that led to the victory.

This win may help set a positive tone for the season, showing that under Belichick, North Carolina can bounce back from challenges. As they move forward, fans will be watching closely to see how this seasoned coach adapts to college football, where dynamics and expectations can differ greatly from the NFL.

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