Football Overpowers Richmond, 41-6

Saturday, September 13

Chapel Hill, N.C.

3:30 PM

North Carolina

2-1 , 0-0

Richmond

1-2 , 0-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Richmond

North Carolina

Demon June

Photo by: NATE SKVORETZ

September 13, 2025 | Football

Box Score Final Stats (.pdf)Postgame Notes Quotes Media Central Photo Gallery II Photo Gallery

By: Matt Bowers

CHAPEL HILL, N.C.— North Carolina dominated from the opening whistle and rolled past Richmond, 41-6, on Saturday afternoon at Kenan Stadium.

Carolina scored on its first four possessions and had out-gained Richmond by a margin of 169 to -2 by five minutes into the second quarter. The Spiders mounted a handful of offensive drives to make things more respectable the rest of the way, but the game's outcome was essentially decided before halftime.

The Tar Heels (2-1) won their second game in a row and gave first-year head coach Bill Belichick his first collegiate home victory. Richmond fell to 1-2.

In its last two games, the UNC defense has held back-to-back opponents to just three points each while allowing a combined 145 rushing yards on 77 attempts, an average of just 1.9 yards per carry.

The Tar Heels have held two consecutive opponents without a touchdown for the first time since 2012, and Carolina has won 26 consecutive games over FCS opponents since 2000.

UNC's defense controlled the action throughout on Saturday, overwhelming the Richmond offensive line for two early sacks and helping the Tar Heels out-gain the Spiders, 136-12, in the opening 15 minutes. Richmond eventually mounted some offense late in the first half, only to see Carolina lead, 20-3, at the break.

UNC scored three consecutive touchdowns to start the second half and had a goal line stand on defense to put the game away.

"Offensively, we made a couple big plays, scored some points," Belichick said. "And defensively, the goal line stand was a big, big, big series for us. And they turned the ball over and we scored on defense. So it was overall a good, good, solid effort. But, there are certainly a lot of things we can still work on and do better."

The Tar Heel offensive line played well and opened holes while wearing down the smaller Spiders on a warm afternoon in Chapel Hill. Richmond controlled time of possession by almost 16 minutes but averaged just 3.2 yards per play in a frustrating offensive day.

True freshman running back Demon June gutted the Richmond defense, running 14 times for 148 yards and a score, averaging 10.6 yards per carry to lead seven UNC rushers. June had 59 yards on his first two carries of the game and was equally dominant in the fourth quarter, when he dashed almost untouched for a 45-yard score.

"He's earned it," Belichick said of June. "He's earned it. You know, nobody gave him anything. I mean, he started at the bottom of the depth chart and just kind of worked his way up. He's had some opportunities, and he's done pretty well with them, but he's made some yards on his own. And that's a big thing. He's doing a good job with the ball in his hands. He's done a good job in running and catching."

Gio Lopez started at quarterback for the third game in a row for UNC, completing 10 of 18 passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns while also running 11 times for 40 yards and a TD.

Jordan Shipp caught four passes from Lopez for 52 yards and two scores. Five different Carolina receivers caught Lopez's 10 completions.

The UNC first-half defense gave Spider quarterback Kyle Wickersham fits until Ashten Snelsire replaced him midway through the second quarter. Wickersham eventually returned to the game before heading to the locker room at the end of the third quarter with an apparent injury. Richmond passers completed 9 of 15 attempts for 75 yards with an interception in the game.

Up Next
The Tar Heels will hit the road next Saturday (September 20) for a 3:30 p.m. date at UCF on FOX.

How It Happened
First Quarter
• After Carolina held the Spiders to a three-and-out on their first drive, June carried for a combined 59 yards on his first two carries to lead a quick march down the field. Rece Verhoff drilled a 27-yard field goal just over five minutes into the game for a 3-0 UNC lead.
• On its second drive, Lopez connected with a wide-open Shipp over the middle, who then ran it in for a 29-yard score and 10-0 Carolina lead.
• UNC held the Spiders to 12 total yards on their first three possessions, outgaining Richmond, 136-12, in the first quarter (including 82-1 on the ground).

Second Quarter
• After a failed fake punt attempt by Richmond late in the first quarter gave UNC the ball at the Spider 25-yard line, Verhoff connected on another short field goal for a 13-0 advantage.
• The Tar Heels scored on their fourth consecutive drive when they took it 36 yards in seven plays before Lopez ran it in from a yard out to make the score 20-0.
• Richmond inserted Snelsire at quarterback, and he led the Spiders on a 14-play, 76-yard drive resulting in a field goal with 1:11 left before the half.

Third Quarter
• With 8:29 left in the third quarter, the Tar Heel defense stiffened and stopped Richmond on a fourth-and-goal play inside the one-yard line.
• Lopez connected with Shipp for a second TD pass, this one from three yards out, to put Carolina ahead, 27-3, with 2:06 remaining in the third.

Fourth Quarter
• In the first minute of the fourth period, Mikai Gbayor stripped Richmond's Jamaal Brown, snagged the ball in the same motion and scampered 62 yards for a touchdown and a 34-3 lead.
• June ran for a 45-yard score with 8:13 to go, topping off an impressive day and giving UNC a 41-3 advantage.

Inside the Numbers
• Carolina improved to 13-2 all-time against the Spiders, including 9-0 in Chapel Hill.
• Saturday's meeting was the first between the schools since 1978.
• The Tar Heels scored on their opening drive for the third consecutive game to start the season.

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