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Starting with a season-opening trip across the Atlantic Ocean to Ireland, North Carolina will launch into year two of the Bill Belichick era with a schedule built for spotlight high-stakes matchups. The schedule that the ACC announced Monday includes two September open dates for the Tar Heels after the opener in Dublin, Ireland, against TCU on Aug. 29.
North Carolina’s offensive reset and quarterback shuffle did not begin with Bobby Petrino’s arrival.The 2025 season under offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens never stabilized. The Tar Heels struggled to find an offensive rhythm, and the quarterback situation remained unsettled. By the end of a 4–8 season, the direction of the unit was no longer defensible. Coach Bill Belichick dismissed Kitchens and the transition began.
The final week of the regular season meant MVP candidate Drake Maye didn’t play the entire game, and reserves around the league got plenty of playing time. Taking advantage of the latter were Mitch Trubisky, British Brooks and Alijah Huzzie.
If you want to watch No. 12 North Carolina’s game Saturday at SMU on TV, you’ll have to figure out your CW affiliate.
It was a perfect example of why Drake Maye should be the NFL MVP — a nearly flawless performance.
Bobby Petrino, the man whose name evokes both offensive brilliance and controversy, is reportedly set to become North Carolina’s next offensive coordinator under Coach Bill Belichick.
On a day when Omarion Hampton outdueled fellow former Tar Heels running back Javonte Williams, Drake Maye made more history when his first career 300-yard passing game helped New England rally Sunday night to clinch a playoff berth.
CHARLOTTE — The ACC announced conference football opponents for next season, and North Carolina will play four games at Kenan Stadium and four on the road.
If you want to watch No. 14 North Carolina’s game Saturday against USC Upstate on TV, you’ll have to figure out your CW affiliate.
North Carolina fired offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens and special teams coordinator Mike Priefer on Friday.
Week 14 of the NFL season began with one former Carolina running back surpassing 1,000 yards for the first time in his career, and ended with another scoring on a touchdown reception on his first drive after returning from injured reserve.
There were more amazing passes for Drake Maye, more “MVP” chants in the New England Patriots’ 10th consecutive victory. It bookended nicely a long Week 13 that included a solid Thanksgiving Day game for Javonte Williams in a Dallas Cowboys victory.
RALEIGH — Jordan Shipp stood in the small visitor’s press conference room in Carter-Finley Stadium after Carolina’s fifth straight loss to rival N.C. State and spoke like someone ready to lead the turnaround.
It’s always interesting to see how a team that has been eliminated from postseason contention plays its final game, especially against a rival. Does it play inspired, or does it just show up to play out the string? It was the latter that showed up for the annual renewal of the UNC-N.C. State clash on Saturday night in Raleigh, as the Tar Heels put up a mostly uninspired effort in a generally demoralizing 42–19 loss.
RALEIGH — The undisciplined penalties, costly mistakes and lapses that have made Bill Belichick’s first season at North Carolina a flop all came together on one cold night.
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