Last year, UNC football fans rarely felt good about the result of a game. Just one week into 2026, Tar Heel Nation is on Cloud Nine.
North Carolina delivered a shocking Week Zero upset to start the college football season, riding shutdown defense to a 15-10 victory over the TCU (0-1) Horned Frogs
. The Tar Heels (1-0) only needed a Jaylen McGill touchdown, two Aeron Burrell field goals and one extra points, plus a safety on the scoreboard.Not only did UNC win a shocker in Ireland, but a peak of 5.8 million viewers tuned in to watch the upset against TCU, with an average of 4.9 million viewers. 40,457 football fans attended this Week Zero highlight last Saturday, with 18,377 of those in attendance from other countries.
In its first game without
defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, who remains on medical leave, North Carolina held a normally explosive Horned Frogs offense to 281 yards. TCU running back Jeremy Payne stilled reached 142 rushing yards, but the Tar Heels kept him out of the end zone.
UNC also showcased a level of discipline typically found within Bill Belichick-coached teams, committing just three penalties for 20 yards. The Horned Frogs played undisciplined football under Sonny Dykes, committing 11 penalties for 89 yards, including a questionable late hit on North Carolina quarterback Billy Edwards.
The Tar Heels are off Labor Day Weekend, then return to Chapel Hill on Saturday, Sept. 12 to host ETSU in their home opener. How many fans will watch this Week Two matchup?
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC-TCU Week Zero football matchup generates major viewership levels
