Belichick leads North Carolina to 15-10 upset victory over TCU in Dublin

30 August 2026 · Source balance: Centre

North Carolina and TCU faced off in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, the first major college football game of the 2026 season. The Tar Heels defeated the favored Horned Frogs 15-10 in a defensive battle on a rainy field. This marks the second meeting between the programs; North Carolina had lost their previous matchup to TCU 48-14 last year in Bill Belichick's college coaching debut. Quarterback Billy Edwards threw for 232 yards and kicker Aeron Burrell added two field goals for UNC. TCU's Jeremy Payne rushed for 142 yards but couldn't convert critical fourth-down opportunities late in the game. UNC's defense forced four turnovers on downs and a safety. Belichick praised his team's improvement and preparation. The victory represents a significant turnaround for the Tar Heels, who finished 4-8 last season. TCU, which had averaged 30 points in its last ten season openers, was held to just 10 points.