Belichick gets game ball after first ranked win at North Carolina
North Carolina coach Bill Belichick was given a game ball by wide receiver Jordan Shipp after the Tar Heels beat No. 25 Pitt 21-17. The victory was Belichick's first ranked win as UNC's head coach. North Carolina improved to 3-2, with Billy Edwards Jr. passing for 249 yards and two touchdowns and Shipp recording six catches for 93 yards.
North Carolina trailed Pitt 10-0 in the second quarter and entered halftime down 10-7. After the teams exchanged touchdowns around the third- and fourth-quarter boundary, tight end Shamar Easter's 75-yard scoring catch put the Tar Heels ahead by four. The defense then stopped Pitt on its last four possessions.
Billy Edwards Jr. completed 18 of 26 passes for 249 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Jordan Shipp recorded a game-high 93 receiving yards on six catches. The result moved UNC to 3-2 in Belichick's second season; his first year ended at 4-8.
This result may boost visibility for UNC football and its players, giving students, alumni, and local businesses a reason for heightened interest. Belichick's celebrity could draw casual fans and media attention to college football, potentially increasing coverage and merchandise sales. For players, a ranked win may improve confidence and NFL prospects, while the program's momentum could affect recruiting. The impact likely remains modest and sports-centered, though it may shape how fans discuss coaching transitions and second-year turnarounds.