TCU’s offense was relentless, piling up 495 total yards—284 through the air and 211 on the ground. Quarterback Josh Hoover completed 27 of 36 passes for 284 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Kevorian Barnes broke free for a 75-yard score on the first play of the second half. Receiver Jordan Dwyer was a key target, hauling in nine catches for 136 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, the Horned Frogs forced multiple turnovers, including two defensive touchdowns that broke the game open. North Carolina’s offense, led initially by transfer quarterback Gio Lopez, struggled to maintain momentum and was plagued by empty possessions and costly mistakes. Backup Max Johnson provided a brief spark with a touchdown pass to his brother, Jake Johnson, but UNC managed just 200 yards of total offense and was outmatched after the first quarter.
This defeat marks the first time a Bill Belichick-coached team has surrendered 48 points, and it’s UNC’s largest season-opening loss in program history. The last time the Tar Heels lost by 34 or more points was in 2018, underscoring the magnitude of TCU’s performance.
For North Carolina, the loss exposes significant questions on both sides of the ball, especially on defense, despite Belichick’s pedigree. The Horned Frogs, meanwhile, look poised to contend in the Big 12 after an emphatic start to their campaign.