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How social media reacted to UNC football's 2025 season opener against TCU
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- How social media reacted to UNC football's 2025 season opener against TCU
Monday night in Chapel Hill started with worlds of excitement: The kind UNC's historically underwhelming football program isn't used to. The TCU Horned Frogs visited Kenan Stadium for a nationally televised game on ESPN.
Bill Belichick took the sidelines for his first game as North Carolina's coach . This is Belichick's first college season, but he quickly adapted with strong offseason recruiting efforts.
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The Tar Heels started Monday well. They marched 83 yards on seven plays and scored an opening-drive touchdown on senior running back Caleb Hood 's 8-yard run. UNC embarrassed itself otherwise, losing 48-14 to a TCU squad that showed the obvious talent gap between both programs.
North Carolina 's offense played way too conservatively, relying heavily on Hood and the rest of its running back room for production. The Tar Heels carried the football 28 times for 50 yards, averaging fewer than two yards per carry. This came as a shock to many: On UNC's first drive, starting quarterback Gio Lopez connected with wide receiver Jordan Shipp for a pair of big plays.
Lopez left during the third quarter with a back injury, forcing 2024 starter Max Johnson into action. Johnson tossed a 2-yard touchdown to his brother, Jake. The play was a massive milestone, particularly after the broken leg sustained by Max Johnson at Minnesota last year.
North Carolina's defense struggled immensely against the Horned Frogs' air raid offense. TCU quarterback Josh Hoover tossed two touchdowns and threw for nearly 300 yards: 136 of those went to Idaho transfer Jordan Dwyer. The Tar Heels also allowed nearly 250 rushing yards. Kevorian Barnes and Dwyer waltzed into the end zone untouched on consecutive drives.
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Let's take a look across social media and see the reactions to UNC's disappointing performance, one fans can only hope doesn't happen again in the Belichick era.
Have to erase tonight and move on.
Defensive line not doing its job
A former UNC football standout says nothing has changed
Max Johnson gives UNC something to be excited about
... And it's not even Halloween yet
Going to look different than what we expected
Can't blame fans for leaving early
The ESPN crew picked UNC to win
TCU didn't roll over ... TCU responded in major fashion
Mack Brown has to be enjoying tonight's result
Even Michael Jordan would be disappointed in tonight
UNC fans had the air taken out of them ... and left tonight disappointed
Love your enthusiasm, Brice
Not playing good football
This isn't a good look
Tonight's game came with plenty more expectations
Is it because UNC has a new offense?
It's all about who gives UNC the best chance to win
Wouldn't that be something?
Freddie Kitchens' play-calling was questionable
Is this a justifiable request?
Tonight is more than just a game for him
Great comparison
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Social media reacts to UNC football losing Bill Belichick debut to TCU
