Copyright MassLive
Bill Belichick finally got his first ACC in in Week 10 when UNC defeated Syracuse, 27-10, on Friday night. The Tar Heels went into the game with an 0-5 record against Power Four teams and was coming off back-to-back losses to ACC teams. But a 15-of-19 performance for 216 yards and two touchdowns from UNC quarterback Gio Lopez helped lift the Tar Heels to victory. Here’s what’s being said about UNC’s first win since Sept. 13. The New York Post “The David vs. Goliath matchup that saw a prized lacrosse recruit serving as Syracuse’s quarterback against defensive genius Bill Belichick won’t be made into a Hallmark feel-good move anytime soon. “In perhaps the least-shocking result of the year, Syracuse’s decision to start walk-on quarterback Joseph Filardi, who prioritized lacrosse in college, against arguably the greatest coach in NFL history failed spectacularly.” CBS Sports “The highlight of Belichick’s tenure at UNC thus far -- and a culmination of his team showing gradual improvement throughout the course of the season — was on display when the Tar Heels snapped their four-game losing skid against the Orange. It was also the first time UNC scored at least 21 points against a Power Four team this season.” Sports Illustrated “It took a constellation of favorable circumstances Friday—namely Syracuse’s quarterback room completely falling apart—but North Carolina coach Bill Belichick finally picked up his first ACC win. The Tar Heels legitimately dominated a disappointing Orange team, outgaining Syracuse 425–147 en route to a 27–10 victory. Quarterback Gio Lopez was efficient (16-for-19 for 216 yards and two touchdowns), and running back Demon June led both teams in receiving and rushing. Baby steps for an improving North Carolina team, which hosts Stanford before closing its season with all three of its Tobacco Road rivals." Yahoo Sports “It’s time to acknowledge that yes, the Syracuse offense was horrid on Friday but part of the reason for how horrid they were was the UNC defense that did not give up a single touchdown. How many times in history of UNC football have we seen a situation where a school brings in a backup quarterback and that quarterback runs roughshod over the defense? This is also the same school that let Jame Madison hang 70 on them last season, and lost multiple games because they couldn’t stop a sneeze. Syracuse had a total of four completions all night, rushed for only 108, and fumbled the ball twice, losing it once that was converted by the Tar Heels. The offense may be a mess but the defense has continued to show improvement, and there’s every reason to believe it’ll continue next weekend.” New York Post “The one saving grace seemed to be that Belichick’s team had been performing better, blowing a chance to down California on Oct. 17 with a late fumble at the goal line and losing at home last week to then-No. 16 Virginia when the potential game-winning two-point conversion failed in overtime. “That positive momentum finally translated Friday night against a reeling Orange team that has now lost five straight and started walk-on freshman Joe Filardi, who is also part of the school’s lacrosse team.” The Athletic “UNC’s offense finished with 425 total yards in its best outing of the year by a nearly 75-yard margin. Things clicked both through the air and on the ground all night long. Quarterback Gio Lopez went 15-of-19 passing for 216 yards (though 72 of them were on a catch-and-run from running back Demon June) and two touchdowns, and the run game looked dominant against the Orange with the Tar Heels racking up 209 yards on 43 carries.” ESPN “The Tar Heels had not scored more than 20 points against an FBS team this season and trailed 10-6 when Lopez hit (Demon) June through the air on the team’s first play of the second half. June then broke a tackle and scampered down the right sideline for a 72-yard scoring play to give the Tar Heels a 13-10 lead they never surrendered. On the team’s next series, June ran it in from 5 yards out for a 20-10 lead. A 21-yard scoring strike from Lopez to Jordan Shipp gave the Tar Heels a 17-point lead and 21 unanswered points.”
