On Monday night, September 1, 2025, under the bright lights of Kenan Stadium, TCU delivered a defining performance—blasting North Carolina 48–14 and putting a brutal halt to the hype surrounding Bill Belichick’s first college coaching outing.
The game opened with hope for the Tar Heels, as Caleb Hood plunged in an 8-yard touchdown out of an impressive opening drive that covered 83 yards in seven plays. But just as quickly, TCU took over.
TCU surged back with two unanswered scores—first, a 27-yard touchdown pass from Josh Hoover to Jordan Dwyer tied the game, followed by a 32-yard field goal from Kyle Lemmermann late in the second quarter.
The real momentum shift came from TCU’s defense. Safety Bud Clark intercepted a pass and raced 25 yards for a pick-six, delivering a disheartening blow just before halftime.
The Horned Frogs utterly took over in the second half. On the opening play, Kevorian Barnes broke free for a breathtaking 75-yard touchdown run—sealing the crowd’s fate. They didn’t stop there: Trent Battle darted 28 yards for another score, and Devean Deal scooped up a fumble and returned it 37 yards for a defensive touchdown.
Though UNC managed a brief spark—Max Johnson connecting on a touchdown to Jake Johnson late in the third quarter—the Frogs added one more via D.J. Rogers, extending the lead beyond doubt.
| Category | TCU | North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 542 | 222 |
| First Downs | 29 | 10 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 3 |
| Time of Possession | 32:09 | 27:51 |
| TCU QB Josh Hoover | 27/36, 284 yds, 2 TDs, 1 INT | – |
| Kevorian Barnes | 11 att, 113 yds, 1 TD | – |
| Jordan Dwyer | 9 rec, 136 yds, 1 TD | – |
For TCU, this game was a resounding statement: explosive offense, opportunistic defense, and championship-level execution. It sets the tone for a season where they may turn heads in the Big 12 and beyond.
For North Carolina and Bill Belichick, it was an unceremonious welcome to college football. Despite the celebrity-studded crowd—including Michael Jordan, Lawrence Taylor, and Randy Moss—and soaring expectations, the Tar Heels unraveled after their promising start. Hood’s early touchdown turned out to be the only glimpse of a competitive edge.
Belichick’s bold return to college coaching fell flat—begun with an opening drive touchdown but soon spiraled into his most lopsided debut defeat as a head coach, on par with his worst loss in the NFL.
In summary, TCU’s 48–14 win wasn’t just a game—they made a national statement. Meanwhile, Belichick faces a daunting path ahead, with his team’s flaws painfully exposed under the brightest of spotlights.
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