Bill Belichick Secures First Power Four Win Against Syracuse

UPDATE: Bill Belichick has claimed his first victory against a Power Four school as North Carolina triumphed over Syracuse, 27-10, on October 31, 2025, at the JMA Wireless Dome. This marks Belichick’s inaugural win as a college football head coach against an ACC opponent, providing a much-needed boost for the Tar Heels.

Former NFL running back and current college football analyst, Damien Harris, expressed that Belichick’s earlier struggles at the University of North Carolina (UNC) were anticipated due to various factors. However, his team’s performance against Syracuse showcased significant improvement after a challenging start to the season.

The Tar Heels took advantage of Syracuse’s quarterback turmoil, starting walk-on true freshman Joe Filardi, who struggled under pressure, completing only 4 of 18 passes for 39 yards. Syracuse has been grappling with injuries, having lost their initial starter Steve Angeli to a season-ending Achilles injury, followed by an unsuccessful stint with LSU transfer Rickie Collins.

North Carolina’s defense contained Filardi effectively, while the offense surged, with quarterback Gio Lopez completing 15 of 19 passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Demon June also made his mark with 101 rushing yards and a combined total of 81 receiving yards, including a rushing and receiving touchdown.

Belichick expressed his satisfaction post-game, stating, “Feels good. Feels great. We had a couple of opportunities the last couple of weeks that we couldn’t capitalize on. It was good to get this one.” He emphasized the importance of timing in football, noting, “We were probably fortunate to get them (now) as opposed to the week they played Clemson.”

North Carolina, now looking to build on this victory, faces Stanford (3-5) next Saturday. Meanwhile, Syracuse, on a five-game losing streak, will seek redemption against Miami on the same day.

This victory not only boosts morale for Belichick’s squad but also sets the stage for an exciting remainder of the season in the ACC. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as both teams navigate their upcoming challenges.

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