Bill Belichick’s debut at North Carolina brought a lot of star power to Chapel Hill on Monday night. Personalities like Randy Moss, Julius Peppers, Roy Williams, Lawrence Taylor, and Nick Saban were spotted at Kenan Memorial Stadium.
Peppers and Moss were seen spending time with fans in the stands.
Spotted: Julius Peppers! (Also Drake Maye who is out of frame) pic.twitter.com/DJliNjD0yW
— #1 Panthers DAWG (@RobGuy3) September 1, 2025
Randy Moss is feelin’ the love in Chapel Hill tonight 🩵 pic.twitter.com/xbFGLkSnwh
— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) September 1, 2025
In the VIP suites, Roy Williams, Lawrence Taylor, and Michael Jordan were also seen.
Legends in the building 🤩 pic.twitter.com/hdpj0PmsbZ
— ACC Network (@accnetwork) September 2, 2025
Roy Williams in the house. pic.twitter.com/5R4tycpr7C
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) September 1, 2025
Nick Saban was also seen in the building, as part of ESPN’s crew for the game.
Nick Saban on Alabama’s loss to FSU:
“For me, and a lot of Alabama fans, the disappointment is that Florida State dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.”pic.twitter.com/pInWzksCMI
— Sidelines – Bama (@SSN_Alabama) September 1, 2025
However, despite the sports royalty present at the game, the result has been nothing short of a disaster for North Carolina. The second half of the game has been an abject debacle for the Tar Heels. They came into the second half trailing 7-20, which, while difficult, was still a competitive encounter.
The game has since turned into a blowout by the TCU Hurned Frogs. They currently lead 41-14.
Bill Belichick benches Gio Lopez for Max Johnson in the second half against TCU
Halfway through the second half, Bill Belichick decided to bench Gio Lopez after the quarterback struggled mightily during his debut for the Tar Heels. The player had barely connected any passes since the game’s opening drive and had crucially given up two turnovers to the TCU defense, one interception and one fumble.
His stats were disappointing, with 70 passing yards and a completion percentage of 40%. Lopez also suffered an undetermined injury shortly before being removed from the field, and according to ESPN’s Holly Rowe, he was holding onto his right lower back and hip as he walked off the field. He collapsed from the pain and started screaming.
In his place came Max Johnson, who was North Carolina’s designated Week 1 starter last season. Johnson suffered a season-ending leg injury in the Tar Heels’ season opener against Minnesota last season. He had to undergo surgery to repair his broken femur, and at one point, it looked like he could even lose his right leg.
While the game seems to be done and dusted, North Carolina has looked much better with Johnson at the center of the huddle. In his first drive, they put together a 10-play, 80-yard drive, which ended with the quarterback throwing a two-yard touchdown pass to his brother, Jake Johnson.
Max has so far thrown for 81 yards, with one touchdown pass and a completion percentage of 87.5%.
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