Bill Belichick finally snagged his first ranked win as North Carolina’s head coach, and the locker room was buzzing as wide receiver Jordan Shipp handed him the game ball right after their 21-17 victory over No. 25 Pitt on Saturday. That’s a moment you just know meant a ton, especially for a coach who’s seen it all but is building something new.
First Ranked Win, Coach B!
Shipp didn’t hold back either, telling Belichick, “Before we break, first ranked win. Plenty more to come. You’ve gone through a lot of fire, you helped us prepare, you do a lot for us. First game ball, Coach B.” Can you imagine that? Coming from a player, that’s pure respect. For Belichick, who’s in his second season leading the Tar Heels after a legendary run with the New England Patriots that included six Super Bowl titles, this win is a massive step. His first year in 2025 saw them finish 4-8. But now, after this huge victory, UNC is sitting at 3-2 this season. You can feel the shift, right?
The Comeback That Proved It
This wasn’t some easy cruise, either. North Carolina got punched in the mouth early, staring down a 10-0 deficit in the second quarter before chipping away to trail 10-7 at halftime. That’s a tough spot to be in against a ranked team. Both squads traded touchdowns near the end of the third and into the fourth, keeping everyone on the edge of their seats. The big swing? Tight end Shamar Easter ripped off a 75-yard touchdown reception that put the Tar Heels up by four points. That’s a massive play that changes everything! And once they had that lead, Belichick’s defense absolutely slammed the door shut, stonewalling Pitt on each of their final four drives. Quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. put up a solid performance too, going 18-of-26 for 249 yards and two touchdowns, though he did throw a couple of interceptions. And Shipp, the guy who gave Coach B the ball, hauled in six passes for a game-high 93 yards. What a day for that whole squad.
This win is huge for Belichick and the Tar Heels. It’s not just a notch in the win column; it’s proof that what they’re building is starting to click. They showed serious grit coming back from that early hole and then locking down a ranked opponent when it mattered most. That’s the kind of game that can absolutely define an early season and give a team momentum heading into the grind.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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