Third-year transfer Gio Lopez had a difficult debut for the North Carolina Tar Heels on Monday. After a promising start in the first drive of the game, in which North Carolina drove 83 yards up the field to score a touchdown, Bill Belichick’s team failed to answer 41 points by the TCU Horned Frogs. Lopez didn’t manage to get a complete pass until the second half of the game.
Gio Lopez to the locker room, dealing with a back injury. https://t.co/8zuqd9eMhz
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) September 2, 2025
After suffering what seems to be an injury to his lower right back, he was replaced by backup Max Johnson. While there hasn’t been an official update on the issue, ESPN’s Holly Rowe said during the game’s transmission that after he was evaluated in the medical tent, he left the stadium holding onto his right lower back and hip, collapsed in pain, and started screaming while walking down the players’ tunnel.
His stats for the game were nothing short of an abject disaster. He recorded only 69 passing yards, with a 40% completion percentage. Crucially, he gave up two turnovers, one as an interception and another as a fumble, with the former being returned for a pick-six.
The game has been disastrous for the Tar Heels overall, with them currently trailing 48-14. This is the most points Bill Belichick has ever given up in his coaching career.
Max Johnson takes over for Gio Lopez during North Carolina’s season opener
In Gio Lopez’s place stepped Max Johnson, who was North Carolina’s designated starter for 2024 Week 1. He broke his right femur during the season opener against Minnesota and spent the better part of 2024 and 2025 recovering from the injury. He even faced the prospect of losing his leg at one point during his recovery.
Immediately after he took over the offense, the Tar Heels started to look like a different team. He led them on an 80-yard, 10-play drive, which ended with him throwing a touchdown pass to his brother, Jake Johnson.
He threw for 103 yards, with one touchdown pass and no interceptions. His completion percentage is 81.8%. Time will tell if he will take over the starting duties.
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