Tag Archives: UNC Football

Wake Forest rides Carlos Hernandez’s big plays, defense past North Carolina 28-12

Wake Forest rides Carlos Hernandez’s big plays, defense past North Carolina 28-12

By BOB SUTTON The Associated Press

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — Wake Forest’s Carlos Hernandez scored two touchdowns, including one by returning a teammate’s fumble, on plays that caught North Carolina off guard and the Demon Deacons didn’t allow a touchdown in a 28-12 victory Saturday.

Hernandez racked up 100 receiving yards on six catches and Robby Ashford threw for a touchdown and ran for another for Wake Forest (7-3, 4-3 Atlantic Coast Conference). Demond Claiborne ran for 98 yards, including a 12-yard touchdown.

North Carolina’s Rece Verhoff kicked four field goals, including a record-setting boot, but he had two other attempts blocked. The Tar Heels (4-6, 2-4) had a two-game winning streak snapped. They’ll have to win their final two games against in-state rivals to reach bowl eligibility in coach Bill Belichick’s first season as a college head coach.

Ashford was 15-for-25 passing for 191 yards and also picked up 50 yards on the ground, with his 2-yard, fourth-down TD run coming with 22 seconds left.

Gio Lopez went 21 for 36 for 201 yards for the Tar Heels, who had 56 rushing yards compared to Wake Forest’s 223.

Hernandez scored the first touchdown after recovering Ashford’s fumble, scooping the ball near a pile of players and racing 50 yards to the end zone to conclude the game’s opening possession.

Verhoff booted a school-record 57-yard field goal on the last play of the first half, pulling North Carolina to within 14-6. He had other field goals from 40, 42 and 47 yards.

The Demon Deacons went up 21-9 in the third quarter on a flea flicker, with Hernandez going 56 yards down the sideline to complete a 70-yard play.

A general view of the stadium as Rece Verhoff #90 of the North Carolina Tar Heels kicks a field goal during the first half of a football game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium on November 15, 2025 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
Robby Ashford #2 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons dives for a touchdown during the second half of a football game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium on November 15, 2025 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
Gio Lopez #7 hands the ball of to Demon June #12 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half of a football game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium on November 15, 2025 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
Karon Prunty #3 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons tackles Kobe Paysour #8 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half of a football game at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium on November 15, 2025 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)

The Takeaway

North Carolina: The Tar Heels got away with stretches of sluggish offense against Syracuse and Stanford, but that wasn’t the case in the first of three consecutive games against in-state opponents.

Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons went 2-2 in ACC home games and assured themselves of a winning season in coach Jack Dickert’s first season.

Up Next

North Carolina: Saturday at home vs. Duke

Wake Forest: Saturday at home vs. Delaware

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UNC’s Belichick says he has ‘not and will not’ pursue open NFL jobs, is committed to Tar Heels

North Carolina coach Bill Belichick said he isn’t pursuing any jobs as a head coach in the NFL. That comes amid the first changes of the current hiring cycle. In a statement posted on social media Friday night, the 73-year-old who led the NFL’s New England Patriots to six Super Bowl titles said he remains committed to building the Tar Heels program. In the statement, Belichick said: “I have not and will not pursue any NFL head coaching vacancies.” Belichick’s Tar Heels have won two straight entering Saturday’s game at Wake Forest.… Continue Reading

Lopez throws 2 TD passes, North Carolina beats Stanford 20-15

Lopez throws 2 TD passes, North Carolina beats Stanford 20-15

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Gio Lopez threw for two touchdowns and North Carolina produced nine sacks to beat Stanford 20-15 for their second straight victory in ACC play under coach Bill Belichick. Jordan Shipp’s 55-yard touchdown catch gave the Tar Heels (4-5) a 20-3 lead early in the fourth quarter, and the Tar Heels held on despite two late Stanford touchdowns.… Continue Reading

Bill Belichick wins first ACC game as North Carolina rallies to defeat Syracuse 27-10

Bill Belichick wins first ACC game as North Carolina rallies to defeat Syracuse 27-10

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — Demon June accounted for two touchdowns and nearly 200 yards on offense, Gio Lopez threw for two scores, and Bill Belichick won his first Atlantic Coast Conference game when North Carolina came from behind to defeat Syracuse 27-10. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Tar Heels (3-5, 1-3 ACC), while the Orange (3-6, 1-5) lost for the fifth consecutive time. North Carolina lost its previous two games by a combined four points.… Continue Reading

Brent Austin’s goal-line heroics secure California’s 21-18 win over Belichick and North Carolina

Brent Austin’s goal-line heroics secure California’s 21-18 win over Belichick and North Carolina

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Bill Belichick says he never sought an early departure from the North Carolina job

Bill Belichick says he never sought an early departure from the North Carolina job

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Bill Belichick’s 1st season at North Carolina has run into problems on and off the field

Bill Belichick’s 1st season at North Carolina has run into problems on and off the field

Bill Belichick’s first season at North Carolina has run into problems both on and off the field. The Tar Heels are 2-3 but have lost in lopsided fashion in all three of their games against power-conference opponents. A person with knowledge of the situation said the school has also suspended an assistant coach while it looks into potential NCAA rules violations tied to improper benefits. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the school hasn’t publicly discussed the suspension. UNC is off this week and next plays at California on Oct. 17.… Continue Reading

Clemson rolls out of open date by beating North Carolina 38-10 in Swinney-Belichick coaching matchup

Clemson rolls out of open date by beating North Carolina 38-10 in Swinney-Belichick coaching matchup

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Antonio Williams threw a 75-yard trick-play touchdown pass to T.J. Moore on the first offensive snap to start Clemson’s dominating show in a 38-10 win at North Carolina on Saturday. The coaching matchup of Clemson’s Dabo Swinney and North Carolina’s Bill Belichick became a quick romp by the Tigers. Clemson scored 28 points while averaging 15.8 yards per play in the opening quarter. Cade Klubnik threw four TD passes by halftime. Benjamin Hall ran for a fourth-quarter touchdown for the Tar Heels with the outcome long decided.… Continue Reading

No. 3 Miami’s visit to No. 18 Florida State headlines ACC slate; Swinney vs. Belichick on undercard

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No. 3 Miami’s visit to No. 18 Florida State headlines the week ahead in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Hurricanes are playing a third straight game against an instate opponent after beating South Florida and Florida. The Seminoles beat Alabama in Week 1 but are coming off a double-overtime loss at now-ranked Virginia. The schedule includes the 24th-ranked Cavaliers visiting unbeaten Louisville. Additionally, Clemson’s Dabo Swinney and North Carolina’s Bill Belichick meet in a game between high-profile coaches leading struggling teams.… Continue Reading

Dabo Swinney relishes the chance to face Bill Belichick despite a matchup that has lost its luster

Dabo Swinney relishes the chance to face Bill Belichick despite a matchup that has lost its luster

Dabo Swinney is excited to coach against Bill Belichick on Saturday when Clemson faces North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Despite both teams’ rough starts, Swinney sees this as a unique opportunity. It’s only the second time in college football history that a coach with multiple national championships faces another with multiple Super Bowl titles. Swinney’s Tigers have struggled, starting 1-3, while Belichick’s Tar Heels have also been a disappointment. The game was expected to be played in prime time, but instead will be a noon kickoff, with rapper Ludacris performing a pregame concert at 9:40 a.m.… Continue Reading

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