RGIII Reacts as Bill Belichick and UNC Defeat TCU in 2026 Opener

Bill Belichick started his second season as North Carolina’s head coach with an important victory, as the Tar Heels defeated the TCU Horned Frogs 15-10 at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland.

UNC Gets Revenge Against TCU

The result represented a major turnaround from last year’s season opener, when TCU dominated North Carolina 48-14. This time, the Tar Heels controlled the contest and held the Horned Frogs to just 10 points.

Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III reacted to the result on social media, describing the contest as one of the ugliest games in Ireland and joking that the style suited Belichick.

North Carolina’s Offense Does Enough

North Carolina’s offense was led by running backs Benjamin Hall and Jaylen McGill, who combined for 69 rushing yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.

Wide receiver Jelani Thurman also made an impact, catching four of Billy Edwards Jr.’s 16 completions for 94 yards. The Tar Heels did not produce an explosive offensive performance but did enough to secure the victory.

UNC Defense Makes the Difference

North Carolina’s defense played a key role in limiting TCU’s scoring opportunities. Edge rushers Xavier Lewis and Melkart Abou-Jaoude combined for three sacks, while Derek McDonald led the defense with nine tackles.

TCU running back Jeremy Payne produced one of the game’s strongest individual performances, rushing 25 times for 142 yards. However, the Horned Frogs struggled to convert their opportunities into enough points.

A safety involving TCU punter John Hoyet Chance late in the second quarter also proved costly and contributed to North Carolina’s advantage.

Bill Belichick Celebrates First College Season-Opener Win

The victory marked a notable milestone for Belichick. Although he has enjoyed an extraordinary coaching career in the NFL, Saturday’s result represented his first victory in a College Football season opener.

Following the game, Belichick praised his players for responding to TCU’s challenge and highlighted the importance of seeing their hard work produce a positive result.

The veteran coach also suggested that the victory could give his team additional confidence as it continues to develop under his program.

What’s Next for North Carolina?

North Carolina will have a week off before returning to action. The Tar Heels are scheduled to host East Tennessee State on September 12, with kickoff set for noon ET.

After avenging last year’s defeat, Belichick and UNC will now look to build on their defensive performance and carry the momentum from their opening victory into the remainder of the 2026 season.