University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: Grant Halverson
Tar Heel Takeaways: UNC Handles Business In Home Opener
September 13, 2026 | Football
After UNC's encouraging season-opening win against TCU, Tar Heel fans had to sit through a bye week as the rest of college football world kicked off.
But head coach Bill Belichick's team picked up where it left off in Dublin and treated the home fans to a 35-3 victory over East Tennessee State Saturday in the first game of the 100th season at Kenan Stadium.
Wearing throwback uniforms from the 1980 season, UNC turned in a defensive performance that ACC championship squad can be proud of, allowing the fewest points in a home opener since 2012.
Check out 10 takeaways from the win.
Belichick pleased with team's preparation
Carolina did what it was supposed to do against ETSU, winning comfortably. The Tar Heels never trailed, led by three scores at the half and held a 35-0 advantage after three quarters before the game entered a lengthy lightning delay.
UNC averaged 8.1 yards per play to ETSU's 3.8, didn't turn the ball over and for the second straight week and were whistled for fewer penalties than its opponent.
"I thought (the UNC players) did a good job of studying, making sure they knew their opponent and knew what they were trying to do," Belichick said. "It wasn't perfect, but I thought we handled the looks (ETSU) gave us pretty good. I think that was a result of the preparation that we had. That's what we need to do every week."
Jelani Thurman continues to look like a massive addition
Billy Edwards Jr. joked that his 24-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jelani Thurman, both players' first as Tar Heels, was really just a 5-yard toss that Thurman turned into a score on his own.
Edwards called the Ohio State transfer a "Swiss Army knife" whose role in offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino's offense will continue to evolve throughout the season.
But Thurman has already made an impact. For the second straight game, he led the Tar Heels in receiving yards, finishing with 71 yards on four receptions (three good for first downs).
"You got to make sure you're doing certain things to get No. 45 touches," Edwards said, "and when he gets going, I think we have a really great opportunity to be dangerous as an offense."
Billy Edwards is settling in
Playing in Kenan Stadium for the first time, Edwards missed on his first two throws of the game, a deep shot intended for C.J. Sadler and a wheel route for Benjamin Hall on a three-and-out series.
The UNC signal caller said he wishes he could have those two throws back, but he was excellent the rest of the day, finishing 15-of-20 for 244 yards and two TDs. For the second time in as many games, he didn't turn the ball over.
"I thought Billy did a great job," Belichick said. "Saw the field well in the passing game, and, as I said, made some good checks in the running game to get us into plays that were better than the ones that would have been called had he not changed them."
Demon June's three scores accentuate group effort at running back
The running back position was a group effort for the Tar Heels last season, and it appears it will be again this year.
As was the case against TCU, the trio of Hall, Demon June and Jaylen McGill had the bulk of the carries against ETSU as the Tar Heels ran for 161 yards on 27 attempts against the Buccaneers.
Hall led the way with 49 yards on four carries, including a 25-yard run on the Tar Heels' opening scoring drive. He also scored on a 26-yard screen pass.
McGill, who scored UNC's lone TD against TCU, once again was efficient with 40 yards on five attempts.
But it was June who often finished drives for UNC, scoring three TDs on his seven carries (33 yards).
Belichick remarked that you can never have too much depth at any one position, and June, who now has more rushing TDs than he did last year, said each running back has a role to play.
"It's going to take everybody," June said. "It's not going to be one guy who's going to win the game for us."
Tar Heels win the turnover battle
A season ago UNC forced an average of just one turnover per game, but with the way the Tar Heels are causing havoc on defense, that figure could increase this year.
UNC came up with two takeaways against ETSU, and safety Greg Smith was responsible for both.
The redshirt sophomore recorded his second career interception on ETSU's opening drive, diving to pick off Mason Mims and jogging over to the Carolina student section to celebrate.
In the third quarter, Smith recovered a fumble forced by UNC linebacker Peyton Seelmann. The Tar Heels turned both turnovers into points on their ensuing drives.
Another new linebacker steps up
UNC's Derek McDonald, a transfer from Syracuse, earned the ACC's linebacker of the week honor for his performance against TCU.
Another newcomer at the position, Seelmann, had a great game against ETSU. The junior, who played his first two seasons at Richmond, led UNC with 10 tackles and caused the Bucs' second turnover.
"He's pretty instinctive. He's a good tackler," Belichick said. "He's fast and definitely can find the ball. He keeps getting better, and you know, he's been able to work with Derek, and both are new to the program. They're getting some real game experience, and I think that's helped both of them."
Tar Heel defenders wanted a shutout
Seelmann has only played two games with his teammates, but he already likes his unit.
"We got some dogs on our defense," he said. "Love playing with those guys. Bunch of physical dudes that fly around. I'm just glad to be a part of it."
Before ETSU kicked a field goal with 3:57 remaining in the fourth quarter, UNC had held opponents scoreless for 89 minutes of game play dating back to the second quarter of the TCU game.
It speaks to the identity of the Tar Heel defense that Seelmann said "a couple of the guys are kind of upset" about UNC narrowly missing out on a shutout.
Xavier Lewis backs up his performance
Sophomore defensive lineman Xavier Lewis burst onto the scene with 4.5 tackles for a loss against TCU, including two sacks, as he earned MVP honors at the Aer Lingus College Football Classic.
Lewis, a Raleigh native, added two more sacks against the Bucs, doubling his season total.
"He's a stud," Seelmann said of Lewis. "He's a humble dude. One of the nicest guys on the team and just goes to work every day."
Penn State transfer Jaylen Harvey also added two sacks against ETSU. Between Harvey and Lewis, the Tar Heels are showing their pass rush possesses depth beyond 2025 Second Team All-ACC Selection Melkart Abou Jaoude, who missed Saturday's game with an injury.
A freshman contributes at wide receiver
Playing in his first collegiate game against TCU, wide receiver C.J. Sadler made a huge play that didn't show up in the box score. The Detroit native landed a key block on a 25-yard reception by Thurman that helped the Tar Heels run down the clock late in the fourth quarter.
That's one way to stay on the field when playing for Belichick.
"He's earned that playing time," Belichick said. "Nothing was given."
Sadler displayed his pass-catching ability against ETSU, recording three receptions for 66 yards, including gains of 28 and 25 yards.
"He has the ability to be explosive," said Edwards.
Finishing drives in the end zone
In the season opener, UNC scored on three of its four trips to the red zone but only had one TD. But the Tar Heels' red zone efficiency was much improved against ETSU, scoring three TDs in as many trips.
UNC also recorded TD drives of 99 and 92 yards, showing its ability to methodically move the ball down the field.
"You don't want to have nine plays for 80 yards and end up kicking a field goal," Belichick said. "You want to finish that drive with a touchdown. That's where you need your best execution."
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But head coach Bill Belichick's team picked up where it left off in Dublin and treated the home fans to a 35-3 victory over East Tennessee State Saturday in the first game of the 100th season at Kenan Stadium.
Wearing throwback uniforms from the 1980 season, UNC turned in a defensive performance that ACC championship squad can be proud of, allowing the fewest points in a home opener since 2012.
Check out 10 takeaways from the win.
Belichick pleased with team's preparation
Carolina did what it was supposed to do against ETSU, winning comfortably. The Tar Heels never trailed, led by three scores at the half and held a 35-0 advantage after three quarters before the game entered a lengthy lightning delay.
UNC averaged 8.1 yards per play to ETSU's 3.8, didn't turn the ball over and for the second straight week and were whistled for fewer penalties than its opponent.
"I thought (the UNC players) did a good job of studying, making sure they knew their opponent and knew what they were trying to do," Belichick said. "It wasn't perfect, but I thought we handled the looks (ETSU) gave us pretty good. I think that was a result of the preparation that we had. That's what we need to do every week."
Jelani Thurman continues to look like a massive addition
Billy Edwards Jr. joked that his 24-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jelani Thurman, both players' first as Tar Heels, was really just a 5-yard toss that Thurman turned into a score on his own.
Edwards called the Ohio State transfer a "Swiss Army knife" whose role in offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino's offense will continue to evolve throughout the season.
But Thurman has already made an impact. For the second straight game, he led the Tar Heels in receiving yards, finishing with 71 yards on four receptions (three good for first downs).
"You got to make sure you're doing certain things to get No. 45 touches," Edwards said, "and when he gets going, I think we have a really great opportunity to be dangerous as an offense."
Billy Edwards is settling in
Playing in Kenan Stadium for the first time, Edwards missed on his first two throws of the game, a deep shot intended for C.J. Sadler and a wheel route for Benjamin Hall on a three-and-out series.
The UNC signal caller said he wishes he could have those two throws back, but he was excellent the rest of the day, finishing 15-of-20 for 244 yards and two TDs. For the second time in as many games, he didn't turn the ball over.
"I thought Billy did a great job," Belichick said. "Saw the field well in the passing game, and, as I said, made some good checks in the running game to get us into plays that were better than the ones that would have been called had he not changed them."
Demon June's three scores accentuate group effort at running back
The running back position was a group effort for the Tar Heels last season, and it appears it will be again this year.
As was the case against TCU, the trio of Hall, Demon June and Jaylen McGill had the bulk of the carries against ETSU as the Tar Heels ran for 161 yards on 27 attempts against the Buccaneers.
Hall led the way with 49 yards on four carries, including a 25-yard run on the Tar Heels' opening scoring drive. He also scored on a 26-yard screen pass.
McGill, who scored UNC's lone TD against TCU, once again was efficient with 40 yards on five attempts.
But it was June who often finished drives for UNC, scoring three TDs on his seven carries (33 yards).
Belichick remarked that you can never have too much depth at any one position, and June, who now has more rushing TDs than he did last year, said each running back has a role to play.
"It's going to take everybody," June said. "It's not going to be one guy who's going to win the game for us."
Tar Heels win the turnover battle
A season ago UNC forced an average of just one turnover per game, but with the way the Tar Heels are causing havoc on defense, that figure could increase this year.
UNC came up with two takeaways against ETSU, and safety Greg Smith was responsible for both.
The redshirt sophomore recorded his second career interception on ETSU's opening drive, diving to pick off Mason Mims and jogging over to the Carolina student section to celebrate.
In the third quarter, Smith recovered a fumble forced by UNC linebacker Peyton Seelmann. The Tar Heels turned both turnovers into points on their ensuing drives.
Another new linebacker steps up
UNC's Derek McDonald, a transfer from Syracuse, earned the ACC's linebacker of the week honor for his performance against TCU.
Another newcomer at the position, Seelmann, had a great game against ETSU. The junior, who played his first two seasons at Richmond, led UNC with 10 tackles and caused the Bucs' second turnover.
"He's pretty instinctive. He's a good tackler," Belichick said. "He's fast and definitely can find the ball. He keeps getting better, and you know, he's been able to work with Derek, and both are new to the program. They're getting some real game experience, and I think that's helped both of them."
Tar Heel defenders wanted a shutout
Seelmann has only played two games with his teammates, but he already likes his unit.
"We got some dogs on our defense," he said. "Love playing with those guys. Bunch of physical dudes that fly around. I'm just glad to be a part of it."
Before ETSU kicked a field goal with 3:57 remaining in the fourth quarter, UNC had held opponents scoreless for 89 minutes of game play dating back to the second quarter of the TCU game.
It speaks to the identity of the Tar Heel defense that Seelmann said "a couple of the guys are kind of upset" about UNC narrowly missing out on a shutout.
Xavier Lewis backs up his performance
Sophomore defensive lineman Xavier Lewis burst onto the scene with 4.5 tackles for a loss against TCU, including two sacks, as he earned MVP honors at the Aer Lingus College Football Classic.
Lewis, a Raleigh native, added two more sacks against the Bucs, doubling his season total.
"He's a stud," Seelmann said of Lewis. "He's a humble dude. One of the nicest guys on the team and just goes to work every day."
Penn State transfer Jaylen Harvey also added two sacks against ETSU. Between Harvey and Lewis, the Tar Heels are showing their pass rush possesses depth beyond 2025 Second Team All-ACC Selection Melkart Abou Jaoude, who missed Saturday's game with an injury.
A freshman contributes at wide receiver
Playing in his first collegiate game against TCU, wide receiver C.J. Sadler made a huge play that didn't show up in the box score. The Detroit native landed a key block on a 25-yard reception by Thurman that helped the Tar Heels run down the clock late in the fourth quarter.
That's one way to stay on the field when playing for Belichick.
"He's earned that playing time," Belichick said. "Nothing was given."
Sadler displayed his pass-catching ability against ETSU, recording three receptions for 66 yards, including gains of 28 and 25 yards.
"He has the ability to be explosive," said Edwards.
Finishing drives in the end zone
In the season opener, UNC scored on three of its four trips to the red zone but only had one TD. But the Tar Heels' red zone efficiency was much improved against ETSU, scoring three TDs in as many trips.
UNC also recorded TD drives of 99 and 92 yards, showing its ability to methodically move the ball down the field.
"You don't want to have nine plays for 80 yards and end up kicking a field goal," Belichick said. "You want to finish that drive with a touchdown. That's where you need your best execution."
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Players Mentioned
Defensive Line
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Quarterback
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Running Back
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Defensive Line
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Running Back
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Defensive Line
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Linebacker
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Running Back
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Wide Receiver
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Linebacker
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Defensive Back
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Tight End
/ FootballMonday, September 14
Monday, September 14
Monday, September 14
Monday, September 14