Raleigh roars again — NC State just can’t stop owning this rivalry. For the fifth straight season, the Wolfpack overpowered North Carolina, capping off a wild year by handing Bill Belichick a rough ending to his debut college campaign. And this victory wasn’t even close — it was dominance, start to finish.
At Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday night, reserve quarterback Will Wilson stole the show with four rushing touchdowns. NC State converted every one of its first-half drives into points, cruising to a 42–19 win and stretching its winning streak over the Tar Heels to five games — a mark that ties the program’s longest run in this storied matchup.
Head coach Dave Doeren, who’s expected to remain in Raleigh, continued his mastery over the Tar Heels, improving to 9–4 all-time in the series. For context, that’s more victories against UNC than many Wolfpack coaches have collected in a career. The win also solidifies NC State’s sixth straight bowl appearance, demonstrating remarkable consistency for a program that’s quietly become a model of steady success.
A rivalry rewriting its history
Since 2007, NC State has claimed 14 of 19 meetings and 17 of 26 since the turn of the century. The Wolfpack have turned this once-balanced rivalry into something that looks more like a one-sided affair — and that’s bound to rile up Tar Heel fans. Will this trend ever flip back the other way?
Meanwhile, Bill Belichick’s first college season ended with more headlines than highlights. His hiring set off a media frenzy, drawing national interest and selling out UNC’s home schedule before a single snap. But despite the hype — and those six glittering Super Bowl rings — Belichick’s first year in Chapel Hill fell flat. The Tar Heels stumbled to a 4–8 finish, hampered by inexperience, inconsistency, and a massive roster overhaul that saw 70 new players enter the locker room. For all the showmanship, the cohesion just never came together.
How the game unfolded
From the opening kickoff, NC State looked sharper, faster, and more determined. The Wolfpack scored on their first possession and never looked back. Quarterback CJ Bailey threw two touchdown passes while also rushing for a season-high 65 yards. Wilson, typically used in short-yardage situations, became the unlikely hero with four rushing scores, including a gritty 15-yard rumble in which he was carried across the goal line by teammates.
NC State’s offense was ruthlessly efficient: five drives of 75 yards or more, six conversions on third down, and a perfect 4-for-4 on fourth. That kind of precision and confidence made all the difference.
Trouble for UNC — again
The Tar Heels, by contrast, couldn’t catch a break. Quarterback Gio Lopez exited the game in the third quarter with a painful-looking leg injury after being sacked by Brandon Cleveland — his third injury exit this season. Backup Max Johnson stepped in, throwing for 54 yards, while third-stringer Au’Tori Newkirk came on late to toss a consolation touchdown to Jordan Owens.
Receiver Jordan Shipp remained a bright spot with eight catches for 90 yards and a touchdown, but UNC’s 11 penalties for 129 yards were costly. Two weeks in a row, the team’s lack of discipline has crippled its comeback chances — a troubling pattern that Belichick, known for precision in New England, will need to address urgently.
Looking ahead
UNC now faces its first bowl-less offseason since 2018, but the rebuild is already underway. With more than 35 recruiting commitments set to sign this week, Belichick’s vision for the program is clearly far from finished. The question is: can he translate NFL pedigree into college consistency?
As for NC State, the energy in Raleigh couldn’t be higher. A bowl bid awaits, and another year of bragging rights gives the Wolfpack faithful plenty to celebrate. The real story? Dave Doeren’s team isn’t just beating UNC — it’s owning the rivalry.
Could this spark debate?
Was Belichick’s first year a necessary reset or an outright flop? And is NC State’s dominance a sign of its steady culture — or UNC’s chronic underachievement? One thing’s for sure: this rivalry feels anything but even right now.
What do you think — is Belichick’s college experiment doomed, or will the Tar Heels bounce back stronger next year? Drop your take in the comments and let the debate begin.
