Sep 1, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick on the field before the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Sep 1, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick on the field before the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
North Carolina’s losing streak extended to four games Saturday afternoon when the Tar Heels fell 17-16 to No. 16 Virginia in overtime at Kenan Stadium. The loss dropped Bill Belichick’s squad to 2-5 overall and 0-3 in ACC play, marking another painful chapter in what has become a nightmare debut season for the legendary NFL coach in Chapel Hill.
The game ended when Virginia stopped running back Ben Hall inches short of the end zone on a two-point conversion attempt in overtime. After Davion Gause caught a nine-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Gio Lopez to tie the game at 17-17, Belichick chose to go for two and the win rather than kick the extra point and continue to a second overtime period.
The decision which backfired when Hall took a pass in the flat and lunged for the goal line but was stopped just short by Virginia’s defense.
Despite outgaining Virginia 353-259 in total yards, North Carolina could not capitalize on its offensive opportunities. The Tar Heels managed just 353 total yards but scored only 10 points in regulation after a scoreless second half.
Head coach Bill Belichick acknowledged the shortcomings after the game, saying: “In the end, we came up just a little bit short today. It was a good effort by a lot of areas, but in the end, just not quite enough.”
Fans Erupt Over Lopez’s Performance and Question Belichick’s Decisions
The frustration from North Carolina supporters boiled over on social media following the latest loss, with many directing their anger at both the coaching staff and quarterback Gio Lopez. The criticism came from all corners of the fan base, ranging from measured disappointment to outright rage.
How much is Bill’s buyout?
— 🌵Schoovy The Snack🌵 (@SchoovySnacks) October 25, 2025
Dave Flemming wrote on X, “Again, we wouldn’t be in these positions if they would give Bryce Baker a chance…. How many games are we going to lose because @mlombardiuncgm and @Belichick_B refuse to take Gio Lopez to the bench!?”
Dru, wrote, “Don’t understand how you don’t reach for the goal line with the game on the line there. But regardless please bench Gio, give Bryce Baker a chance.”
CJ Carr Enjoyer, pushed back against the pessimism, “I can’t believe I’m seeing people overreact to 1 bad game. We’re in a slump, I get it. However, to say that North Carolina aren’t CFP contenders is just ridiculous. To everyone who thinks they won’t be playing in January, all I’m gonna say is don’t come to the parade in February.”
Mike Curmi took a similar approach, writing, “Hard fought! Keep building. This team is improving each week. It’ll start clicking sooner than later.”
Marquis Swinton expressed complete exasperation, writing, “This team is an utter embarrassment, literally unwatchable, just forfeit the rest of the season.”
Another fan,@jabumdrop, shared a troubling personal account, writing, “Took my son to his first Tar Heels game today, and it was a complete disaster. He’s in tears after that performance, and I threw my beer at a Virginia fan in front of us. Just shoved a homeless man in rage as we exited the stadium. I’m done with this team.”
The Tar Heels will look to snap their losing streak when they travel to face Syracuse next Friday night at 7:30 p.m. With the season slipping away and fan patience wearing thin, Belichick faces mounting pressure to turn things around quickly in his first year at the college level.