Bill Belichick Earns First Home Win as North Carolina Coach, Tar Heels Rout Richmond 41-6
Gio Lopez throws two touchdowns, freshman Demon June rushes for 148 yards as UNC builds early lead and dominates the Spiders
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Bill Belichick notched his first home victory as head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels on Saturday, as UNC rolled to a 41-6 win over the Richmond Spiders at Kenan Memorial Stadium.
The Tar Heels opened the game with four consecutive scoring drives and led 20-3 at halftime, outgaining Richmond 193 yards to 58 in the first half. Gio Lopez threw two touchdown passes, ran for a score and finished 10 of 18 for 119 yards, while freshman Demon June rushed for 148 yards and a touchdown. Jordan Shipp caught both of Lopez’s touchdown passes and finished with four receptions for 52 yards.
UNC’s defense limited Richmond to 199 total yards and forced three turnovers. One of those turnovers resulted in a 62-yard fumble return for a touchdown by Makai Gbayor, swinging momentum decisively in favor of the Tar Heels.
Richmond briefly threatened to change the game's trajectory late in the third quarter after recovering a surprise onside kick to open the second half. The Spiders drove to the UNC 1-yard line, but Kyle Wickersham was stopped on fourth down, ending the threat.
Lopez threw an interception in the game, but the Tar Heels consistently moved the ball on the ground and controlled the clock. Demon June’s 148 rushing yards came on the strength of several long runs and sustained drives that kept Richmond’s offense off the field.
Belichick, whose hiring at North Carolina this year drew national attention, recently addressed reports involving his former NFL organization. He confirmed that New England Patriots staff members had been barred from the North Carolina football program and said, "It's clear I'm not welcome there around their facility. So, they're not welcome at ours. It’s pretty simple," he told reporters, according to the Tar Heel Tribune.
Last week’s 20-3 victory over Charlotte gave Belichick his first win overall as UNC’s coach; Saturday’s result marked his first at Kenan Memorial Stadium. The Tar Heels built an early lead Saturday and maintained control through a combination of the running game and opportunistic defense.
The victory continued UNC’s early-season momentum as the program adjusts to Belichick’s system and staff. Coaches and players emphasized ball security and situational execution after the game, pointing to the forced turnovers and goal-line defensive stand as key moments.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.