The University of North Carolina took a welcome reprieve from a slew of scandals on Saturday as the Tar Heels breezed to a much-needed 35-3 win over East Tennessee State in Chapel Hill.
Thanks to the win, head coach Bill Belichick’s second home opener at UNC was a major departure from last year’s, when the Tar Heels fell to TCU amid the eight-time Super Bowl champion’s honeymoon period at the school.
That honeymoon came crashing to an end in 2026 as long-time Belichick loyalist Mike Lombardi – the highest-paid general manager in college football at $1.5 million a year – was placed on administrative leave. He later resigned from the school amid a mysterious investigation into his conduct.
Meanwhile, Belichick’s son and defensive coordinator Steve stepped away for equally mysterious medical reasons. Since then, lawyers hired to conduct the Lombardi investigation have reportedly asked individuals about Steve’s drug use, according to WRAL in Raleigh. Those lawyers also asked about potential sexual relationships between assistant coaches and staff members, sources told WRAL.
Steve Belichick did not respond to WRAL’s requests for comment. UNC spokespeople have declined to answer specifics about the ongoing investigation and did not respond to The Daily Mail’s request for comment.
But on Saturday, with the elder Belichick’s 25-year-old girlfriend Jordon back in the stands, none of that seemed to matter as Tar Heels running back Demon June rushed for three touchdowns as quarterback Billy Edwards added two more through the air.
A stoic Bill Belichick watches from the sidelines in Chapel Hill as the Tar Heels move to 2-0
Jordon Hudson (left) on the sidelines in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium
Wearing white and Carolina blue, Hudson was seen chatting to a friend on the sidelines during the game – a frequent post for her in Chapel Hill last season
Wearing white and Carolina blue, Hudson was seen chatting to a friend on the sidelines during the game – a frequent post for her in Chapel Hill.
Fortunately for her, there were plenty of good things to watch on Saturday.
June ran for touchdowns of 9, 6, and 1 yard for the Tar Heels, who improved to 2-0 for the fourth time in the last five seasons.
‘Good to get that one today,’ Belichick said after. ‘It was a solid effort in all three phases.’
Edwards completed 15 of 20 passes for 244 yards, connecting with eight different receivers. Jelani Thurman had a team-high 71 yards receiving, including a 24-yard catch-and-run to open the scoring just 1:19 in.
‘He’s shown to have the ability to be a Swiss Army knife in terms of how we want to use him and how [offensive coordinator Bobby] Petrino and the offensive staff kind of schemes it up for him,’ Edwards said of Thurman, who had four catches for 94 yards in the season-opening win over TCU . ‘I expect him to continue to get better and continue to kind of evolve as a tight end in this offense.’
The mushroom Lombardi scandal has taken some of the spotlight off of Hudson in 2026
Demon June ran for touchdowns of 9, 6, and 1 yard for the Tar Heels on Saturday in Chapel Hill
Investigators are allegedly looking into explosive claims made against Belichick’s son, Steve
The University of North Carolina’s football GM Michael Lombardi has resigned
The Tar Heels allowed only 255 yards and forced two turnovers. They also registered four sacks, two apiece by Jaylen Harvey and Xavier Lewis.
After going three-and-out to open the game, North Carolina converted five of its next six drives for touchdowns. The second of those scores, a 26-yard swing pass to Benjamin Hall, capped a 10-play, 99-yard drive. That matched the team’s longest scoring drive since 2022 against Miami.
Mason Mims was 23-of-31 passing for 178 yards and one interception for ETSU (1-2).
North Carolina led 35-0 after three quarters before lightning delayed the game one hour and 19 minutes.
One of the Tar Heels’ scandals did poke its head above water on Saturday as UNC did not host any recruits for the home game.
North Carolina Tar Heels fans celebrate during the second half of the game in Chapel Hill
Jordan Shipp of the North Carolina Tar Heels celebrates an interception with Gregory Smith III
North Carolina Tar Heels cheerleaders hold flags after a touchdown during the first half
In a statement, UNC spokesman Kevin Best said the Tar Heels aren’t allowed to host unofficial visits because of the violation. While hosting recruits on official visits was permitted, Best said the program decided ‘to concentrate our official visits on the remaining five home games.’
‘The situation has been properly resolved through the NCAA process, and we have worked with the NCAA and University compliance on appropriate and corrective action,’ he said.
The Tar Heels went 4-8 last year in Belichick’s first college season, marked by shaky play on the field and unwanted headlines off it, such as an assistant coach being briefly suspended for violating NCAA rules.
The Tar Heels (2-0) beat TCU in Ireland to open the year, and Saturday’s home opener comes against a Championship Subdivision opponent.
