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Belichick focuses on challenges from Clemson, his still-developing team
CHAPEL HILL — North Carolina heads into its ACC opener at Clemson with a 2–0 record and a coach who isn’t ready to draw sweeping conclusions from either of the wins that got the Tar Heels here. UNC coach Bill Belichick spent much of his weekly press conference Monday breaking down what has and hasn’t changed since UNC’s season-opening win over TCU in Dublin, and the biggest shift, in his eyes, came in how the team prepared for Saturday’s 35–3 win over East Tennessee State.
Roy Williams gave ‘Scotty Boy’ Forbes words of wisdom after UNC came win away from title
CHAPEL HILL — “Scotty Boy, just keep doing what you’re doing, and it will happen.” Those were the words to North Carolina coach Scott Forbes from legendary coach Roy Williams after UNC made it to the College World Series Finals, only to come up short in the deciding game against Oklahoma.
UNC’s two Big Monday appearances on ESPN will be early-evening starts
North Carolina will be front and center on ESPN’s Big Monday schedule twice this winter, and both times, the Tar Heels will play in the first game of the doubleheaders, with each game at the Smith Center.
Tar Heels in NFL: Maye’s frustration, Williams two TDs mark ups and downs of Week 1
There were ups and downs during Week 1 of the NFL season for former Carolina players, most of whom endured losses, from Drake Maye’s three interceptions on Wednesday to Javonte Williams’ standout performance on Sunday night football.
Barbacci leads UNC field hockey rally to win at Richmond
No. 5 North Carolina fell behind in the first few minutes but responded with sustained pressure and rode a goal and an assist from senior forward Ella Barbacci to a 2–1 road win over Richmond at Crenshaw Field on Sunday. Richmond’s Maia Dechario converted the game’s opening penalty corner in the ninth minute, but UNC’s rally moved the Tar Heels to 9–2 under Coach Erin Matson when the opponent scores the first goal.
No. 7 UNC, No. 3 Duke roll to women’s soccer wins ahead of meeting, Heels’ over NJIT, Devils’ over No. 1 Stanford
No. 7 UNC and No. 3 Duke earned very different 5–0 home women’s soccer victories ahead of their big clash in Chapel Hill on Thursday night. While Carolina got its win over 3–4–1 NJIT, No. 271 in the Massey Ratings, at Dorrance Field on Sunday, the victory for the Blue Devils (7–0–1) a few miles away in Durham was over No. 1 Stanford for their fifth consecutive victory.
Clemson to start true freshman QB against UNC
Clemson’s quarterback situation, already unsettled for most of training camp, took another unexpected turn this weekend, and it will give a true freshman his first career start against North Carolina in the ACC opener for both teams Saturday.
Tar Heel Tribune Podcast
The “Tar Heel Tribune Podcast,” with hosts Britt Whitmire and R.L. Bynum, gives Tar Heel Tribune readers a conversational companion to the site’s written coverage of Carolina athletics with interviews, opinions and insights.
Edwards targets eight, builds comfort in offense, but connection with Thurman thriving
CHAPEL HILL — There were some off-target throws and some drops, but the chemistry between quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. and his receivers was obvious, particularly as Carolina’s blowout of ETSU progressed. Edwards was 15 of 20 for 244 yards and two touchdowns and a 210.5 passer rating, targeting eight receivers during the Tar Heels’ 35–3 victory on a steamy afternoon in Kenan Stadium.
Snap count, rating report: Thurman, Harvey stand out for UNC in rout with many reserves playing
CHAPEL HILL — UNC’s 35–3 win over East Tennessee State on Saturday gave Coach Bill Belichick the chance to play deep into his roster, and the snap counts and Pro Football Focus ratings from the game show just how far that rotation extended on both sides of the ball. On offense, no player finished with a higher grade than tight end Jelani Thurman, who posted a 94.2 rating over 34 snaps, the best mark on the team by a wide margin.
Good, Bad and Ugly Report: ETSU
As expected, which is refreshing. Refreshing, because last season, Carolina followed up the debacle against TCU with a stinker against Charlotte that foretold many of the struggles the Tar Heels would show the rest of the season. This time, UNC throttled an overmatched opponent as one would expect in this type of situation.
Tar Heels storm by ETSU with many positives headed into game at Clemson
CHAPEL HILL — As North Carolina began its 100th season at Kenan Stadium, there was plenty to be happy about for the Tar Heels. UNC took control early and rolled to a 35–3 victory over East Tennessee State, with the defense extending its streak of holding opponents scoreless to six quarters on a muggy, sometimes stormy Saturday afternoon.
Heels lead twice, battle No. 1 Stanford men’s soccer team to draw
CHAPEL HILL — Stanford came to Dorrance Field with a win in every match and top-ranked in the country, but North Carolina matched the Cardinal blow for blow in a 2–2 draw on a steamy Friday night that could have gone either way in the final 20 minutes.
Overtime heartbreak for UNC field hockey after blowing 3-goal lead to ODU
CHAPEL HILL — If you want drama and tension, Karen Shelton Stadium delivered that and then some this week, testing a young Carolina field hockey team. Sunday’s exhilaration turned to heartbreak on Friday.
No. 7 Heels cruise by Cal after two-week road trip over nine time zones
CHAPEL HILL — After a far-flung two-week road trip over nine time zones and thousands of miles, No. 7 North Carolina was happy to play at Dorrance Field for the first time in 18 days. They went to Dublin, then to Arizona, with stops in Tucson and Tempe, so the Tar Heels wouldn’t have been blamed if they were exhausted after winning all three matches. But after four days in Chapel Hill to recharge, UNC eased to a 3–0 victory Thursday night over California in the ACC opener for both teams.