UNC stopped inches short of Virginia upset. What Bill Belicheck said about going for 2
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UNC stopped inches short of Virginia upset. What Bill Belicheck said about going for 2
Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY·USA TODAY Sports
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4 min read
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Bill Belichick andNorth Carolinafell inches short of a signature win.
TheTar Heelsgambled in overtime, going for the win on a two-point conversion againstNo. 16 Virginiabut didn't cross the goal line to lose17-16despite a strong performance from the Tar Heel defense.
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AfterVirginiascored a touchdown on its opening possession of overtime,North Carolinaresponded in kind on its first turn. But the offense stayed on the field, going for the win on the two-point attempt. QuarterbackGio Lopezrolled to his right and dumped it off to Benjamin Hall, but he was unable to extend the ball across the goal line, getting tackled right at the 1-yard line to end the game.
Why did Belichick decide to go for it at that moment rather than opt for the extra-point attempt and a second overtime period?
"Trying to win the game," Belichick said. "I don't know what else you want me to tell you."
North Carolina has now lost four consecutive games, dropping to 2-5 and 0-3 in the ACC.
While the game was decided in extra time, more costly mistakes in regulation prevented theTar Heelsfrom pulling off the upset that would have been the first signature win in the Belichick era.
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In the first quarter, receiver Kobe Paysour was heading toward the end zone as Virginia's defense honed in on him. He tried to extend the ball on the pylon for the score, but he lost control before he could make contact and it went out of bounds. The ball was ruled out at the 1-yard line, but officials reviewed it and determined it went out of bounds in the end zone, resulting in a touchback and Virginia ball.
North Carolina wide receiver Kobe Paysour (8) is ruled to lose control as he attempts to score resulting in a touchback as Virginia safety Corey Costner (18) and defensive back Donavon Platt (28) defend in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium.
It was deja vu for North Carolina fans. Last week, the Tar Heels were about to take a fourth quarter lead againstCaliforniaon a Nathan Leacock score. But the Tar Heel receiver fumbled it before he scored, and Cal recovered it to take possession and eventually hold on for the win.
Another critical mistake came in the third quarter with the game tied at 10 each. After getting an interception in Virginia territory, North Carolina was in great position to score and take the lead. The Tar Heels got in the red zone, but a Lopez pass was tipped and eventually intercepted by Virginia'sMitchell Melton.
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It wouldn't be the last misstep either. North Carolina had a chance to set up for a game-winning field goal in the final minute near midfield, but Lopez took a deep shot that was intercepted at the 3-yard line.
North Carolina had three turnovers, with two of them coming in the red zone, spoiling what was a strong defensive performance by North Carolina.
Virginia entered the 130th installment of the "South's Oldest Rivalry" averaging an ACC-best 40 points per game, ninth best in the country, with an average of 462 yards of offense. But the Tar Heels made it rough for Virginia quarterbackChandler Morrisand company, shutting the Cavaliers out in the second half white holding them to 259 yards of offense.
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Sonny Dykes (L) of the TCU Horned Frogs and head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels shake hands following their game at Kenan Stadium on September 01, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The TCU Horned Frogs defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels 48-14. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
(Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 20: Head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels walks off the field after losing 34-9 against the UCF Knights at FBC Mortgage Stadium on September 20, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
(Julio Aguilar, Getty Images)
Oct 4, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney with North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick before the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, Bob Donnan-Imagn Images)
Head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels and Jordon Hudson look on prior to the game against the Richmond Spiders at Kenan Memorial Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
(Lance King, Getty Images)
North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick watches his team during the first half against Central Florida at FBC Mortgage Stadium on Sept. 20, 2025 in Orlando, Fla.
(Julio Aguilar, Getty Images)
North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick walks the sideline during the first quarter against the UCF Knights at the Bounce House Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
(Mike Watters, Mike Watters-Imagn Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 08: North Carolina Tar Heels football head coach Bill Belichick and his girlfriend Jordon Hudson look on during the first half of the game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Duke Blue Devils at Dean E. Smith Center on March 08, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
(Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images)
Bill Belichick, North Carolina, $10,100,000
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)
Sep 13, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick on the sidelines in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, Bob Donnan-Imagn Images)
Sep 20, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick walks into the field before the game against the UCF Knights at the Bounce House Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images
(Mike Watters, Mike Watters-Imagn Images)
North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick watches the Tabor Academy vs. Milton Academy game on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025.
(Marc Vasconcellos/The Enterprise)
Oct 26, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and girlfriend Jordon Hudson enter the field before the game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Navy Midshipmen at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images)
Sep 13, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick before the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan-Imagn Images)
Sep 1, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick with TCU Horned Frogs head coach Sonny Dykes after the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan/Imagn Images)
North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick meets with a recruit before the Tar Heels hosted the TCU Horned Frogs on Sept. 1, 2025.
(Bob Donnan/Imagn Images)
Sep 13, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick before the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, Bob Donnan-Imagn Images)
Sep 13, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Richmond Spiders head coach Russ Huesman with North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick after the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, Bob Donnan-Imagn Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 06: Head Coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels walks off the field after the football game against the Charlotte 49ers at Jerry Richardson Stadium on September 06, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
(David Jensen, Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels looks on during the second half of the game at Kenan Stadium on September 01, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
(Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images)
North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick looks on before his Tar Heels faced the TCU Horned Frogs in Belichick's collegiate coaching debut.
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)
North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick, right, embraces TCU head coach Sonny Dykes after TCU defeated UNC, 48-14 on Sept. 1, 2025.
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts during the first half of the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Kenan Stadium on September 01, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
(Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels walks off the field following the completion of the first half of the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Kenan Stadium on September 01, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
(Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images)
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Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Sonny Dykes (L) of the TCU Horned Frogs and head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels shake hands following their game at Kenan Stadium on September 01, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The TCU Horned Frogs defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels 48-14. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
(Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images)
1/23
Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Sonny Dykes (L) of the TCU Horned Frogs and head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels shake hands following their game at Kenan Stadium on September 01, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The TCU Horned Frogs defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels 48-14. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
(Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images)
2/23
Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 20: Head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels walks off the field after losing 34-9 against the UCF Knights at FBC Mortgage Stadium on September 20, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
(Julio Aguilar, Getty Images)
3/23
Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
Oct 4, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney with North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick before the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, Bob Donnan-Imagn Images)
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Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
Head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels and Jordon Hudson look on prior to the game against the Richmond Spiders at Kenan Memorial Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
(Lance King, Getty Images)
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Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick watches his team during the first half against Central Florida at FBC Mortgage Stadium on Sept. 20, 2025 in Orlando, Fla.
(Julio Aguilar, Getty Images)
6/23
Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick walks the sideline during the first quarter against the UCF Knights at the Bounce House Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
(Mike Watters, Mike Watters-Imagn Images)
7/23
Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 08: North Carolina Tar Heels football head coach Bill Belichick and his girlfriend Jordon Hudson look on during the first half of the game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Duke Blue Devils at Dean E. Smith Center on March 08, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
(Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images)
8/23
Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32.
Bill Belichick, North Carolina, $10,100,000
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)
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Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
Sep 13, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick on the sidelines in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, Bob Donnan-Imagn Images)
10/23
Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
Sep 20, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick walks into the field before the game against the UCF Knights at the Bounce House Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images
(Mike Watters, Mike Watters-Imagn Images)
11/23
Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick watches the Tabor Academy vs. Milton Academy game on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025.
(Marc Vasconcellos/The Enterprise)
12/23
Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
Oct 26, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and girlfriend Jordon Hudson enter the field before the game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Navy Midshipmen at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images)
13/23
Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
Sep 13, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick before the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan-Imagn Images)
14/23
Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
Sep 1, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick with TCU Horned Frogs head coach Sonny Dykes after the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan/Imagn Images)
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Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick meets with a recruit before the Tar Heels hosted the TCU Horned Frogs on Sept. 1, 2025.
(Bob Donnan/Imagn Images)
16/23
Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
Sep 13, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick before the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, Bob Donnan-Imagn Images)
17/23
Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
Sep 13, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Richmond Spiders head coach Russ Huesman with North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick after the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, Bob Donnan-Imagn Images)
18/23
Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 06: Head Coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels walks off the field after the football game against the Charlotte 49ers at Jerry Richardson Stadium on September 06, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
(David Jensen, Getty Images)
19/23
Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels looks on during the second half of the game at Kenan Stadium on September 01, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
(Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images)
20/23
Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick looks on before his Tar Heels faced the TCU Horned Frogs in Belichick's collegiate coaching debut.
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)
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Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick, right, embraces TCU head coach Sonny Dykes after TCU defeated UNC, 48-14 on Sept. 1, 2025.
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)
22/23
Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts during the first half of the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Kenan Stadium on September 01, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
(Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images)
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Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels walks off the field following the completion of the first half of the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Kenan Stadium on September 01, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
(Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images)
The 17 points scored was a season low for Virginia, but once again, North Carolina's horrid offense couldn't capitalize.
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Belichick's squad has the worst offense in the ACC, averaging just 18.7 points per game along with 268.5 yards of offense, which is fourth-worst in the country. It's been worse against Power 4 opponents, with North Carolina averaging just 12.8 points per game against Power 4 squads.
North Carolina put up 353 yards on the day, including a season-best 208 passing yards from Lopez, but it still wasn't enough. The Tar Heels have yet to score more than 18 points against a Power 4 opponent.
Next on the schedule for North Carolina is at Syracuse on Halloween night on Friday, Oct. 31 as it tries to avoid another scary result.
