Belichick Defended Billy Edwards Jr. After UNC Loss
The head coach signaled that Edwards Jr. remains the starting quarterback despite offensive struggles against Clemson.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Football
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Bill Belichick has publicly supported quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. following a 28-20 loss to Clemson on September 19. Belichick attributed the passing game difficulties to team execution and route technique rather than the quarterback alone.
Why it matters
The coach is looking to avoid a quarterback controversy between Billy Edwards Jr. and Miles O'Neill as the team prepares to face a formidable Notre Dame squad. Stability at the position remains a priority for the UNC offense.
Billy Edwards Jr. completed 8 of his final 22 passes during the 28-20 loss to Clemson. The team successfully generated 214 rushing yards in the contest, though the offense scored only twice on its final 10 drives.
The players
Bill Belichick
He serves as the head coach of the UNC football program.
Billy Edwards Jr.
He is the starting quarterback for the UNC football team.
Rece Verhoff
He is a kicker whose eligibility status was recently changed by a court ruling.
Kara E. Krothe
She is the judge who issued a preliminary injunction affecting athlete eligibility.
Keeyun Chapman
He is a wide receiver who was recently arrested on a concealed weapon charge.
The details
Belichick noted that the UNC passing game suffered after Clemson adjusted to defend the underneath routes to Jelani Thurman. While the offense struggled, the coach indicated he is not interested in cycling through different quarterbacks.
Timeline
Rece Verhoff made 19 of 23 field goals in 2025.
UNC lost 28-20 to Clemson on September 19, 2026.
Bill Belichick commented on the team's performance on September 28, 2026.
UNC faces Notre Dame on the upcoming Saturday.
Season Trajectory
UNC faces a daunting challenge against a 4-0 Notre Dame team that currently holds the second-best defensive grade among all FBS programs. This matchup will define whether the UNC offense can correct its timing issues or if the team will continue to struggle against top-tier opponents.
Kicker Rece Verhoff may return to the rotation following a successful court injunction. Meanwhile, the offense must find ways to score more frequently than the two drives managed against Clemson to remain competitive against Notre Dame's 42.3 points-per-game average.
The takeaway
Maintaining consistency at the quarterback position is critical for developing rhythm in a complex passing offense. Fans should look for improved route execution as the coaching staff emphasizes timing over individual player changes.
Further reading
For more updates on the team, visit the Football section.
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