Bill Belichick's highly anticipated inaugural season at North Carolina came to a disappointing end Saturday night as NC State dismantled the Tar Heels 42-19 in Raleigh. The Wolfpack's dominant performance showcased a complete breakdown of UNC's defense, which surrendered touchdowns on all four of NC State's first-half possessions en route to a 28-10 halftime lead.
The loss marks the fifth consecutive year NC State has defeated its in-state rival, tying the program's longest winning streak in the series. For Belichick, the legendary NFL coach's transition to college football proved rocky, finishing his first season with a 4-8 record and 2-6 ACC mark.
A Dominant Display from the Wolfpack
NC State's offensive firepower proved too much for a struggling UNC defense that had no answers throughout the evening. The Wolfpack's ground game was particularly devastating, outgaining the Tar Heels 185-70 on the ground.
Backup quarterback Will Wilson emerged as the star of the night, running for
four touchdowns on 13 carries despite never throwing a pass. Wilson was used exclusively in short-yardage situations, yet the Carolina defense proved helpless in stopping him. Starter
CJ Bailey added two touchdown passes to Wesley Grimes and Justin Joly while completing 21 of 30 passes for 201 yards and 65 rushing yards.
UNC's Season Unravels
The Tar Heels' offensive struggles continued to plague them, managing just 265 total yards against the worst pass defense in the nation. Penalties compounded their misery, as UNC was flagged 11 times for 129 yards—the second consecutive game the team exceeded 100 penalty yards.
Wide receiver
Jordan Shipp provided the lone bright spot for UNC, catching eight passes for 90 yards and a touchdown. However, individual performances couldn't overcome the team's systemic issues.
Belichick's Disappointing First Year
After the game, Belichick acknowledged the stark reality of his first college season. "It was a disappointing game for us," the six-time Super Bowl champion said. "But give State credit. They played well. They were certainly the better team tonight. Coached, played, offense, defense, special teams. They were the better team. They deserved to win."
The loss to NC State completed a troubling sweep of UNC's in-state rivals. The Tar Heels lost to Wake Forest, Duke, and NC State in the same season—a feat that hadn't occurred since 1989 when Carolina finished 1-10. Despite entering the season with considerable buzz surrounding Belichick's hiring, UNC's modest statistical gains came primarily against ACC's weakest teams.
What's Next
NC State improved to 7-5 overall and 4-4 in ACC play with the victory, securing bowl eligibility. Coach Dave Doeren's squad capped the regular season by winning three of their last four games—a significant achievement given their earlier struggles against Georgia Tech and Florida State.
For Belichick and UNC, the offseason will bring critical questions about roster construction, defensive schemes, and whether the legendary coach can translate his NFL success to the college game.
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1.
NC State Defeats North Carolina 42-19 - ACC Digital Network2.
UNC Football's Season Ends with Blowout Loss at NC State - Chapelboro3.
North Carolina vs NC State Prediction: Who Can Close Strong - College Football News4.
NC State 42-19 North Carolina Game Recap - ESPN5.
3%2BxXW2kjSfyIqD8b5ZzfTIS4Gh%2FPBJr2x%2Fw0bOah5MkS2VFpleGXFaHIZP9JCeT4waeLy%2BlIveJRa4oT8%3D&path=football" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="text-blue-600 hover:text-blue-800 underline font-medium">NC State vs North Carolina Box Score - The ACC
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5. What channel is UNC vs NC State on today? Time, TV schedule to watch college football game
6. UNC Football at NC State (2025): How to Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Kickoff Time
7. What Bill Belichick, UNC football players said after loss at NC State
8. NC State vs North Carolina - Football - 11/29/2025 - Box Score
