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UNC Defense Piles Up Nine Sacks in 20-15 Win Over Stanford

Belichick emphasizes accountability before a rivalry run that will decide bowl eligibility.

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SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 31: Head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels looks on during the first quarter against the Syracuse Orange at JMA Wireless Dome on October 31, 2025 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images)
Head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels looks on during a game against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium on October 17, 2025 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Thien-An Truong/Getty Images)
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Overview

  • North Carolina improved to 4-5 with its second straight victory and first ACC home win under Bill Belichick, following a 20-15 result against Stanford.
  • Gio Lopez delivered an efficient outing at quarterback, going 18-of-25 for 203 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions, including scores to Davion Gause (20 yards) and Jordan Shipp (55 yards).
  • The Tar Heels’ pass rush dominated with nine sacks and two takeaways, led by Melkart Abou-Jaoude and Tyler Thompson with three sacks apiece.
  • After the game, Belichick publicly said he could have identified player strengths sooner and outlined adjustments in personnel usage and practice structure that have supported recent improvement.
  • UNC must win two of its final three in-state games against Wake Forest, Duke and NC State to reach bowl eligibility, with Wake Forest up next in Winston-Salem on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET.