North Carolina(2-0) generated 427 yards of offense vs. the Buccaneers, with running backs stealing the show. Sophomore backDemon Juneanchored the touchdown party, scoring three times on just seven carries, whileBenjamin Hallran for a team-high 49 yards and caught a Billy Edwards touchdown pass.
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After theTar Heels' blowout win, head coachBill Belichickhighlighted why his team's running back depth is so important, plus how it can help as the season progresses.
"You can never have too many players," Belichick said. "Sometimes, in September, you look at your depth and think "Oh, we've got a lot here." "You get to the middle of October and November and you don't have any depth. It can change in a hurry. We're fortunate that we have that kind of competition, those kinds of players at that position. Hopefully, we'll have them for a long time. Depth can be very fragile in football. You're always a couple plays away from not having it. We're glad we have it now, we'll keep using it and hopefully, we can keep it that way."
Six different backs recorded a carry for UNC vs. ETSU (1-2): Hall, June,Jaylen McGill, Jojo Troupe, Charleston French and Crew Davis. Hall previously led North Carolina's rushing attack in Week Zero vs. TCU, running for 36 yards, yetMcGillscored his team's lone touchdown during that 15-10 upset.
Hall, McGill and June will continue to get most of theTar Heels' carries as they enter a loaded ACC schedule. With several contributors in the backfield, UNC will continue giving opponents trouble.
Sep 12, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick shakes hands with with ETSU Buccaneers head coach Will Healy before the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 12, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick on the field before the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 12, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive back Gregory Smith III (1) reacts after making an inteception in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 12, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive back Gregory Smith III (1) reacts wiht fans after making an inteception in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 12, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Benjamin Hall (7)scores a touchdown as ETSU Buccaneers defensive back Tamajh Mitchell (21) defends in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 12, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick on the sidlines in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 12, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Jordan Shipp (1) attempts to catch the ball in the third quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 12, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Jelani Thurman (45) reacts after making a first down in the third quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 12, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; ETSU Buccaneers wide receiver Xavier Gaillardetz (2) is tackled by North Carolina Tar Heels linebackers Jonathan Agumadu (8) and Timir Hickman-Collins (54) in the third quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 12, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Jelani Thurman (45) with the ball in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 12, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive end Jaylen Harvey (11) celebrates with linebacker Peyton Seelmann (10) after making a sack in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 12, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick walks off the field after the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 12, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels players including quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) (center) together after the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
1/13
UNC Football: Photos from win over ETSU
Sep 12, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick shakes hands with with ETSU Buccaneers head coach Will Healy before the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
1/13
UNC Football: Photos from win over ETSU
Sep 12, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick shakes hands with with ETSU Buccaneers head coach Will Healy before the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
2/13
UNC Football: Photos from win over ETSU
Sep 12, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick on the field before the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
3/13
UNC Football: Photos from win over ETSU
Sep 12, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive back Gregory Smith III (1) reacts after making an inteception in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
4/13
UNC Football: Photos from win over ETSU
Sep 12, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive back Gregory Smith III (1) reacts wiht fans after making an inteception in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
5/13
UNC Football: Photos from win over ETSU
Sep 12, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Benjamin Hall (7)scores a touchdown as ETSU Buccaneers defensive back Tamajh Mitchell (21) defends in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
6/13
UNC Football: Photos from win over ETSU
Sep 12, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick on the sidlines in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
7/13
UNC Football: Photos from win over ETSU
Sep 12, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Jordan Shipp (1) attempts to catch the ball in the third quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
8/13
UNC Football: Photos from win over ETSU
Sep 12, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Jelani Thurman (45) reacts after making a first down in the third quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
9/13
UNC Football: Photos from win over ETSU
Sep 12, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; ETSU Buccaneers wide receiver Xavier Gaillardetz (2) is tackled by North Carolina Tar Heels linebackers Jonathan Agumadu (8) and Timir Hickman-Collins (54) in the third quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
10/13
UNC Football: Photos from win over ETSU
Sep 12, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Jelani Thurman (45) with the ball in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
11/13
UNC Football: Photos from win over ETSU
Sep 12, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive end Jaylen Harvey (11) celebrates with linebacker Peyton Seelmann (10) after making a sack in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
12/13
UNC Football: Photos from win over ETSU
Sep 12, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick walks off the field after the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
13/13
UNC Football: Photos from win over ETSU
Sep 12, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels players including quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) (center) together after the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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