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Bill Belichick finally won a game against a Power Four school.
North Carolina beat Syracuse 27-10 on Friday night at the JMA Wireless Dome. It was also Belichick’s first career win against an ACC opponent.
UNC was lucky, as Syracuse began adding true freshman Joe Filardi at quarterback.
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North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick talks to his players during the first half of a college football game against Syracuse at the JMA Wireless Dome. The game took place in Syracuse, New York on October 31, 2025. (Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Orange have battled quarterback injuries this season. Steve Angeli, the team’s initial starting quarterback, suffered a season-ending Achilles injury against Clemson after leading them to a 3-1 start. The team then turned to LSU transfer Rickie Collins, with whom the team went 0-4, prompting Orange head coach Fran Brown Jr. to start Filardi.
North Carolina’s defense kept Filardi in check. The true freshman struggled and finished the game completing just 4 of 18 passes for 39 yards.
The Tar Heels had not scored more than 20 points against an FBS team this season until Friday. Quarterback Gio López completed 15 of 19 passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns.
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North Carolina quarterback Gio Lopez throws during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Syracuse. The game took place in Syracuse, New York on October 31, 2025. (Adrián Kraus/AP Photo)
Running back Demon June had 101 yards rushing and 81 yards on two receptions, with one rushing and one receiving touchdown.
North Carolina’s two previous wins were against Charlotte (1-7) and Richmond, which plays in the Patriot League.
“It feels good. It feels great,” Belichick said after the game. “We had a couple of opportunities the last few weeks that we couldn’t take advantage of. It was good to get this one. So we’re looking forward to the rest of the games in the ACC.”
North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick walks off the field after an NCAA college football game against Syracuse. The game took place in Syracuse, New York on October 31, 2025. (Adrián Kraus/AP Photo)
“We all know that in football it’s not who you play, it’s when you play them. We were probably lucky to have them (now), unlike the week they played Clemson.”
North Carolina will look to capitalize on the win when it faces Stanford (3-5) next Saturday.
Syracuse, which has lost five straight, will look to turn things around when it faces Miami on Saturday.
