North Carolina defeated TCU 15-10 in Dublin during the Aer Lingus Classic, opening Bill Belichick's second season with the Tar Heels. Transfer quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. threw for 232 yards and Aeron Burrell kicked two field goals as UNC avoided a repeat of last year's 48-14 Labor Day loss to TCU.

The Tar Heels scored 10 first-quarter points—their most in a opening half since 2022—with Jaylen Mc Gill's 9-yard TD run and a safety. TCU's new quarterback Jaden Craig was 20 of 32 for 175 yards but couldn't extend the Horned Frogs' 10-game stretch of 30+ point season openers.

A critical fourth-down stop by North Carolina's defense in the fourth quarter sealed the upset, with UNC running out the clock after Burrell's second field goal made it 15-10. The win marked North Carolina's first Power 4 opponent victory of the season after a defensive lapse by TCU on final drives.

Belichick, 74, improved to 5-8 in his college tenure, while TCU struggled with 10 penalties for 95 yards. Both teams have open dates before hosting their September 12 games.