By Harshit | November 1, 2025 | Syracuse
Belichick Finally Breaks Through in ACC Play
Bill Belichick’s patience and persistence at North Carolina finally paid off on Friday night as the Tar Heels snapped a four-game losing streak with a convincing 27–10 comeback win over the Syracuse Orange. The victory marked Belichick’s first ACC win since taking over the program, and it came with a second-half performance that embodied his hallmark — disciplined defense and situational control.
“Feels good. Feels great,” Belichick said postgame. “We’ve had opportunities the last couple of weeks that we couldn’t capitalize on. It was good to get this one, and we’re looking forward to the rest of the ACC schedule.”
The Tar Heels improved to 3–5 overall (1–3 ACC), while Syracuse fell to 3–6 (1–5 ACC) and extended its losing streak to five games.
Demon June Sparks the Comeback
Wide receiver Demon June was the clear difference-maker for North Carolina. The explosive sophomore produced nearly 200 total yards and two touchdowns, igniting an offense that had been stagnant for most of the season.
The Tar Heels trailed 10–6 at halftime, but on the first play of the second half, quarterback Gio Lopez connected with June on a short screen. June broke a tackle and sprinted 72 yards down the sideline to give North Carolina a 13–10 lead — one it would never relinquish.
On the next drive, June added a five-yard rushing touchdown to extend the margin to 20–10, and later, Lopez hit Jordan Shipp on a 21-yard scoring strike that capped off 21 unanswered points.
“He did a great job giving us a spark tonight,” Lopez said of June. “That screen got us out of the funk we were in. He’s picking up blocks better and just playing with confidence.”
Lopez completed 15 of 19 passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns, while June racked up 101 rushing yards and 81 receiving yards. Shipp contributed six receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown.
Tar Heels’ Defense Shuts the Door
Belichick’s defense was unrelenting in the second half, shutting out Syracuse completely after intermission. The Tar Heels forced hurried throws, broke up passes, and dominated the line of scrimmage against a struggling Orange offense.
Syracuse started true freshman Joe Filardi, a walk-on who completed just four of 18 passes for 39 yards in his collegiate debut. Filardi replaced LSU transfer Rickie Collins, who went winless in four starts after taking over for Steve Angeli, sidelined earlier in the season with an Achilles injury.
“It was just about trying to find a spark,” Syracuse coach Fran Brown explained. “Joe’s been practicing hard, and we wanted to see if he could bring some momentum. I thought he protected the ball well, but it’s not just about the quarterback — there are 10 other guys out there too.”
Syracuse’s only touchdown came from its defense in the first quarter, when linebacker Anwar Sparrow scooped up a fumble and returned it 51 yards for a score, giving the Orange a brief 7–3 lead. But from there, Belichick’s Tar Heels clamped down.
The Orange managed just 147 total yards of offense, averaged 2.9 yards per play, and recorded only 12 first downs.
Belichick’s System Starting to Show Results
The win was a significant morale boost for Belichick, who inherited a rebuilding program facing injuries and inconsistency. Known for his methodical approach and defensive acumen, Belichick praised his team’s resolve and ability to adapt.
“Things didn’t go great at the beginning,” he said. “But the guys just kept battling. We had a really good second half defensively. Football’s about when you play teams, not just who you play — and tonight, we took advantage.”
The victory could mark a turning point for a North Carolina squad that lost its previous two games by a combined four points. Belichick’s influence is beginning to take root — the defense is more structured, and the offense is finding ways to make explosive plays even without elite personnel.
As for Syracuse, the frustration continues. The Orange have yet to find rhythm since Angeli’s injury and now face an uphill battle to qualify for bowl eligibility.