Bill Belichick first press conference as UNC football coach
Here’s Bill Belichick’s opening statement from his introduction as the UNC football coach at Kenan Stadium.
It’s been an eventful final month of 2024 for UNC football.
The Bill Belichick era is underway, but the Tar Heels’ new head coach won’t be on the sideline until the 2025 opener against TCU at Kenan Stadium. Led by interim head coach Freddie Kitchens, UNC (6-6) closes the book on 2024 against UConn (8-4) in the Fenway Bowl on Saturday (11 a.m., ESPN) at Fenway Park in Boston.
The Heels are 3-0 in the all-time series against the Huskies, but they’ve lost four straight bowl games. UNC and UConn haven’t played since 2009.
Here’s a look at things to know and a score prediction for the Fenway Bowl.
UNC football RB Omarion Hampton is entering the 2025 NFL Draft, so who steps up for Tar Heels?
With UNC running back Omarion Hampton set to enter the 2025 NFL Draft, the Tar Heels have a major void to fill at the Fenway Bowl. Hampton accounted for 1,660 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns in his final season, wrapping up a three-year career that puts him among the Tar Heels’ all-time running backs.
Freshman running back Davion Gause figures to be the next man up for UNC. Gause, who has 314 rushing yards and four TDs this season, was among UNC’s top players in its win against Charlotte early in the season. He had 16 carries for 105 yards and a touchdown.
Running back Cam Edwards among UConn players to watch
Led by sophomore running back Cam Edwards, UConn is averaging nearly 200 rushing yards per game. Edwards, who has 129 carries for 756 yards and seven touchdowns, is coming off his best game of the season. He had 18 carries for 142 yards and a touchdown in UConn’s regular-season finale against UMass.
Beau Atkinson, UNC defense rack up sacks in wins
UNC is top 10 nationally in sacks (39) through 12 games. The Tar Heels averaged 4.8 sacks in their six wins, but they’ll be without at least two of their top pass rushers against UConn. Jahravee Ritzie and Kaimon Rucker combined for 12 ½ sacks before declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft. Sophomore defensive lineman Beau Atkinson will be in the spotlight vs. the Huskies. Atkinson has 6 ½ sacks this season, but he hasn’t recorded a sack since Nov. 2 at Florida State.
UNC vs UConn score prediction
UNC 30, UConn 23: An ACC team won the first two bowl games at Fenway Park and UConn is 0-3 against ACC teams this season. All signs point toward the Tar Heels, who will get a postseason victory for the first time since 2019 near Bill Belichick’s old stomping grounds.
Rodd Baxley covers Duke, North Carolina and N.C. State for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding those teams? Send them to rbaxley@fayobserver.com.
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