Up to date Aug. 29, 2026, 5:38 p.m. ET
At one level on this catastrophe of a debacle, you have to assume Invoice Belichick made a rapid evaluation of life choices since December 2024.
Then realized Bob Petrino, of all individuals, is the sanest, surest transfer he has made in this whirlwind of woof at North Carolina.
And wouldn’t it, the Tar Heels gained the primary soccer recreation of the 2026 season Saturday in Eire, and I’m not precisely certain what it means. Aside from North Carolina scored 15 factors and didn’t lose once more beneath Belichick.
And he can thank Petrino for it.
As a result of as unhealthy as this three-hour enema appeared, the crawl ball showcase would’ve been a lot, a lot worse if the good and incomparable Belichick wouldn’t have reached out to Petrino — final seen within the closing phases of the 2025 season, cleansing up the newest mess at Arkansas.
One he didn’t create, no much less.
It’s becoming this underwhelming European showcase completed with the TCU protection leaping offsides on fourth all the way down to seal the fifth victory in 13 video games beneath Belichick at North Carolina.
However not after Beli pumped his fist like he simply gained one other Tremendous Bowl — as a 9.5-point underdog.
Belichick did it with out son Stephen Belichick, UNC’s defensive coordinator, who’s on medical depart. Did it with a quarterback enjoying for his fourth group, and for a sixth season after first enrolling at Wake Forest in 2021. Did it with 60 new gamers, a 12 months after starting this practice wreck with 70 new gamers.
Did it with a complete lot of assist from TCU and coach Sonny Dykes, the Frogs turning the ball over twice on downs deep within the crimson zone — when two brief discipline objectives would’ve gained the sport.
Sonny, babe, perhaps neglect about Josh Hoover’s 41 turnovers the earlier three seasons and, , take the factors.
Greater than something, Belichick and UNC did it with Petrino, who way back ran his profession right into a ditch when he had Arkansas, of all packages, on the prime of the SEC in 2011. As the good Burgess Meredith as soon as mentioned, girls weaken legs, Bobby.
Since that offseason motorbike trip by means of the Ozarks together with his subordinate ended worse than Marty Byrde and a minivan, Petrino has labored at WKU, Louisville (once more), Missouri State, Texas A&M, Arkansas (once more) and simply this offseason determined, what the hell, I’ll be part of the circus Beli has common in Chapel Hill.
And I do know that is going to shock you, Petrino did what he all the time does as an offensive coordinator and play caller: He is aware of one of the best gamers on the sector, and will get them the ball.
A easy idea, sure — however so wildly underrated on this age of have a look at me and my fancy offense.
Jelani Thurman, a freak athlete of a decent finish and an Ohio State switch, caught 4 balls for 94 yards. And if that sixth-year quarterback (Billy Edwards) threw with a smidge extra accuracy, Thurman might’ve had 150 and a minimum of one rating.
As it’s, Edwards did sufficient to get it to the second-best participant on the sector, UNC wideout Jordan Shipp — who had 5 catches for 71 yards, together with a few crucial third-down conversions.
North Carolina had all of 322 yards of offense, and it could has properly have been 500. The Tar Heels merely needed to defend the ball (nonetheless turned it over twice), and await TCU to implode.
The Frogs, who gained 48-14 in final 12 months’s season opener in Chapel Hill, had a key fumble that led to a UNC discipline aim, sailed a punt snap into the tip zone for a security and had 11 penalties for 90 yards — together with crucial 15-yard penalties that ended potential scoring drives, and prolonged drives for UNC.
TCU’s 4 possessions within the second half: fumble, punt, downs (at UNC 5) and downs (at UNC 10).
No marvel Petrino ran the ball greater than he threw it, although North Carolina wasn’t precisely grinding out lengthy drives. The Tar Heels rushed for 3 yards a carry (90 yards on 29 carries), and your complete bundle appeared a complete lot like these homogenized NFL video games of the previous.
Get a lead within the fourth quarter, make a defensive stand and run out the clock. Riveting.
Although it’s higher than the choice: UNC’s earlier 12 video games beneath Belichick.
And he can thank Petrino for that.
Matt Hayes is the senior nationwide faculty soccer author for USA TODAY Sports activities Community. Comply with him on X at @MattHayesCFB. Hearken to him day by day, from 12-2 p.m., on 1010XL-Jacksonville.
