Like in 2025, all eyes of the college football world were on the UNC program’s first game of the season. But this fall, the result went differently and the Tar Heels earned a victory over TCU, 15-10.
The win over in Ireland’s Aer Lingus College Football Classic opens head coach Bill Belichick’s second season in charge in Chapel Hill and helped kick off the entire college football season, as Carolina and TCU were the first two Power 4 teams to play. Coming into the game as an underdog and with 2025’s blowout defeat hanging overhead, the Tar Heels rode a stout defensive performance and timely playmaking to earn the win.
As the game finished, UNC fans and college football pundits took to social media to share their thoughts about the win. Here are some of the highlights from Saturday afternoon:
UNC FOOTBALL VICTORY IDK WHAT TO DO WITH MY HANDS
— Dru (@druorfalse.bsky.social) 2026-08-29T19:28:10.827Z
She might only be 3 months old, but this little girl is gonna know ball. And she even thinks ESPN is about to massively overrate UNC for beating what could be a buns TCU team.
— Wes Sparkmon (@wessparkmon.bsky.social) 2026-08-29T19:38:22.639Z
The UNC program will now fly back to the United States and have Week 1 off from playing as most other FBS teams begin their season. The Tar Heels will next be in action on Saturday, September 12, as they welcome East Tennessee State for the home opener.
Featured photo via AP Photo/Peter Morrison.
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