The North Carolina Tar Heels are back in Kenan Stadium this week, and the timing feels right for a second straight statement after opening the season with a 15-10 Week Zero upset of TCU in Ireland.
UNC (1-0) hosts ETSU on Saturday at 12 p.m., with rain and storms expected. The matchup is a clear step down in difficulty from the Horned Frogs, but North Carolina still has work to do if it wants to leave the afternoon at 2-0.
The Tar Heels already showed they can handle an FCS opponent in a big way, rolling Richmond 41-6 in 2025. And after one game in 2026, there’s already a lot to like: the defense held TCU under 300 yards, the offensive line helped create some explosive moments, and new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino saw tight end Jelani Thurman emerge as a real weapon.
ETSU comes in at 1-1 after a 48-14 win over Tusculum last weekend, but North Carolina will be favored to control this one if it handles the basics on offense. That starts with turning more possessions into points.
UNC put together enough offense to beat TCU, but it left some drives hanging once it crossed into Horned Frogs territory. Aeron Burrell opened the scoring with a 20-yard field goal and added another kick, but he also missed from 40 yards out. If the Tar Heels want this to look like a real offensive step forward, they need to finish more of those drives on Saturday.
A big part of that should be continuing to lean on Thurman. The Ohio State transfer was the most dynamic pass-catching option on the field against TCU, piling up 94 yards on four catches, including two early grabs on UNC’s first drive.
North Carolina didn’t have a true TE1 in 2025, when Jake Johnson led the tight ends with just 144 yards on 16 receptions. That changed fast in Week Zero, and the Tar Heels would be smart to keep feeding him.
The backfield also needs a clearer pecking order. Demon June, who broke out in 2025, didn’t log a carry until the fourth quarter against TCU and finished with 25 yards on six rushes.
Benjamin Hill led the team with 36 yards on 11 carries, while Jaylen McGill scored UNC’s only touchdown. There’s value in having multiple backs involved, but Saturday should bring a better sense of who the top option is.
North Carolina also helped itself by staying out of trouble against TCU, committing just three penalties while the Horned Frogs were flagged 11 times for 90 yards. That kind of discipline matters even more against a team like ETSU, where the temptation to get sloppy and overdo things can creep in. If UNC keeps its composure, it should be in good shape.
And if the Tar Heels do what they’re supposed to do early, there’s a chance to get deeper into the roster later. A multi-touchdown lead by halftime would open the door for backups at the skill positions, which is exactly the kind of bonus that comes with facing an FCS opponent.
In Other News...
UNC Off-Field Turmoil Just Added Another Concern For Bill Belichick
North Carolinas football program is already navigating an uneasy stretch off the field, and now it has another self-imposed restriction layered onto the mix. The Tar Heels announced they will not host any unofficial visits for the upcoming game against East Tennessee State after a past recruiting violation, adding another administrative headache as Bill Belichick tries to settle in and focus attention on the season.
Michael Lombardis resignation has already reshaped the programs front office, and the new recruiting limitation only adds to the sense of churn around Chapel Hill. It also comes separate from the ongoing investigation involving defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, leaving UNC with multiple issues to manage at once while the on-field product tries to find some stability. [Read more 🡒]
UNC Misses On A Five-Star Guard Who Was Firmly In The Mix
NaVorro Bowman Jr., one of the top guards in the Class of 2027, is off the board early after committing to UConn, ending a recruiting battle that had included North Carolina, Texas and Arizona. The five-star prospect, ranked No. 11 in his class, had been firmly in the mix for the Tar Heels and was scheduled to visit Illinois before backing off that trip and making his choice.
For UNC, it is another reminder of how quickly the market can move on elite young guards, especially when a player commits this far out. Bowmans decision also gives other programs a clearer path as they recalibrate their recruiting boards, while North Carolina keeps working the class without one of the names it had targeted most aggressively. [Read more 🡒]
UNC Lands Another Huge Recruiting Chance In Massive Weekend For Malone
A busy recruiting weekend is bringing two of the top names in the 2027 class to Chapel Hill, and North Carolina is right in the middle of both pursuits. Five-star guard Jordan Page is scheduled to take an official visit to UNC this weekend, and he will be on campus with fellow five-star prospect CJ Rosser, giving the Tar Heels a chance to make a strong impression on a pair of elite targets at the same time.
For a program that keeps leaning into the top end of the high school market, the timing matters as much as the names. UNC has shown strong interest in both Page and Rosser throughout the 2027 cycle, and this trip gives the staff another chance to build on that momentum as the Tar Heels keep working to line up commitments from premier talent. [Read more 🡒]