UNC Football
Complete coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels Football.
North Carolina Tight Ends Taking on Bigger Role Under New Coaching
In Caleb Pickrell's first game as UNC's tight ends coach, the Tar Heel tight ends showed out. Headlined by Ohio State transfer
Jelani Thurman’s 94 yards, which led all Tar Heel receivers, the group combined for 103 of UNC’s 232 receiving yards in the season-opening victory over TCU, already accounting for 46 percent of its production from last season. (
Inside Carolina)
2026 UNC Football Opponent Preview: East Tennessee State
ETSU has proven it can move the football effectively at the FCS level. The Bucs scored 37 and 48 points in their first two games, though the former came in a loss against Campbell. In that 49-37 loss, ETSU nonetheless piled up 528 total yards and 27 first downs, with quarterback Mason Mims completing 33 of 41 passes for 373 yards and two touchdowns. (
Chapelboro.com)
Video: IC Podcast - UNC Football Players Focused on the Field
Lost in the media circus that was
Bill Belichick's
Monday press conference was the appearance of UNC Football captains Derek McDonald,
Christo Kelly, and
Benjamin Hall. Inside Carolina's Spencer Haskell and Tommy Ashley highlight key takeaways from the captains as they prepare for East Tennessee State on Saturday.
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View Video)
Tue Sep 8, 2026
Bill Belichick focuses on ETSU, avoids questions about investigation
There was one subject most reporters wanted to ask UNC Football coach
Bill Belichick about on Monday during his
pre-ETSU press conference, but he did his best to weave around the questions that were asked in dozens of ways. The theme of his answers might as well have been: "We’re on to ETSU," UNC’s noon opponent in Saturday’s home opener. (
Tar Heel Tribune)
Titans linebacker Cedric Gray in concussion protocol after UTV accident
Tennessee linebacker
Cedric Gray sustained a concussion and minor injuries in a UTV accident over the weekend that puts his availability for the Titans’ season opener Sunday with the New York Jets in question. "We look forward to Cedric returning to the field soon and in full health when he clears the NFL’s concussion protocol," the Titans said. (
Associated Press)
Media Circus Greets Bill Belichick to Open Game Week for UNC’s Home Debut
As UNC returned from its off week Monday, the majority of media questions inside the Kenan Football Center had little to do with Saturday’s home opener against East Tennessee State. There was hardly an empty seat to be found inside the Hall of Honor, the room at the front of the Kenan Football Center where
Bill Belichick holds his press conferences. (
Inside Carolina)
Amid another distraction, UNC’s Belichick says program focused on ‘doing things properly’
UNC coach
Bill Belichick said Monday he believes his program “totally” has an atmosphere of following rules amid a school investigation into conduct within his football program. “Obviously everybody’s responsible, including me, for doing things properly,” Belichick said. Later Monday, a school spokesman issued a statement backing Belichick. (
Associated Press)
This Week in UNC Sports: September 7-13, 2026
After two weeks which saw Tar Heel teams playing as far east as Dublin and as far west as California, the first full week of September will give UNC fans plenty of chances to see Carolina in action in Chapel Hill. Among the notable games are the home opener for football and a major matchup on the soccer pitch. The football team will take center stage Saturday. (
Chapelboro.com)
Video: Bill Belichick Monday Pre-ETSU Press Conference
North Carolina head football coach
Bill Belichick speaks with the media on Monday ahead of the Tar Heels' 2026 home-opener on Saturday against the East Tennessee State Buccaneers at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill.
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Mon Sep 7, 2026
Video: UNC Tight Ends Coach Caleb Pickrell, UNC Players Pre-ETSU Press Conferences
North Carolina tight ends coach Caleb Pickrell, linebacker
Derek McDonald, center
Christo Kelly, and running back
Benjamin Hall speak with the media on Monday ahead of the Tar Heels' matchup against the East Tennessee State Buccaneers on Saturday in Chapel Hill.
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View Video)
Mon Sep 7, 2026