UNC showcases sizable QB upgrade during Saturday upset of TCU

The North Carolina Tar Heels began their 2026 season with a 15-10 upset victory over TCU, showcasing a significant improvement in quarterback play. Under Bill Belichick's first offense, UNC had struggled with ineffective quarterback performances from Gio Lopez throughout the 2025 season. Lopez had never surpassed 200 passing yards in a game until late October, when he achieved 208 yards in a close loss to Virginia.

In the Tar Heels' opening game of the 2026 season, they saw a major upgrade at the position with the transfer of Wisconsin QB Billy Edwards Jr. Edwards demonstrated his value on UNC's opening drive, connecting on 20 and 35-yard passes to Jelani Thurman, setting up a game-tying field goal. Edwards exhibited a strong ability to remain composed and read his options, in contrast to Lopez, who would often get fixated and run when pass protection broke down.

Edwards also excelled in play-action, notably completing a late RPO to seal the win. Unlike Lopez, Edwards relied more on his arm to make big plays. During the first half of Saturday's game, UNC out-gained TCU 197-160, moving the ball much more effectively. Edwards finished the game with 232 passing yards, completing 16 of 37 passes, and had five targets from starting WR Jordan Shipp, who gained 71 yards.

Lopez's 2025 season high of 216 passing yards came against Syracuse, a game where he only achieved that mark after six games in 2025. Edwards entered Chapel Hill with four seasons of Power Five experience, while Lopez had no Power Five background before transferring. With such a strong showing in his first collegiate game, Edwards is poised to continue his impressive performance at UNC.

The Tar Heels will look to build on this momentum as they host ETSU in their home opener on September 12 at 12 p.m.