Demon June ran for three touchdowns and the UNC defense continued its strong start to 2026 in a 35-3 win against East Tennessee State at Kenan Stadium Saturday. The Tar Heels are now 2-0 on the year, the first time they have been two games above .500 under head coach Bill Belichick.
All of June’s touchdown runs came from inside the 10-yard line, marking the first time in the sophomore’s career he had run for multiple touchdowns in a game. Quarterback Billy Edwards was similarly efficient through the air, completing 15 of his 20 pass attempts for 244 yards and two touchdowns. His 15 completions went to eight different receivers, and tight end Jelani Thurman and running back Ben Hall caught the touchdown passes. Hall’s touchdown reception capped off a 99-yard drive for the Tar Heels, their longest since 2022.
10 plays. 99 yards.
? ACC Network pic.twitter.com/QbIY99O5Va
— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) September 12, 2026
Carolina also put together a 10-play, 92-yard touchdown drive in the third quarter, which June finished with a six-yard rushing touchdown. It was the first time since 2023 the Tar Heels had two touchdown drives of more than 90 yards in a single game.
After its strong start against TCU two weeks ago, UNC’s defense continued to make plays Saturday. Safety Greg Smith picked off Buccaneer quarterback Mason Mims on ETSU’s first drive of the game, and that turnover led to Thurman’s touchdown catch. Smith then recovered a fumble on the first play from scrimmage of the third quarter, which led to another Tar Heel touchdown.
UNC sacked Mims four times, with Xavier Lewis and Jaylen Harvey each recording two takedowns. That dominance came without the services of star edge rusher Melkart Abou-Jaoude, who sat out Saturday’s game with a hand injury. Abou-Jaoude was seen on the sidelines wearing a cast on his right wrist. Lewis, a sophomore from nearby Rolesville High School, now has more total tackles this season (12) than he did all of last season (eight). His four sacks are also most on the team.
The game was delayed for 79 minutes between the third and fourth quarters by inclement weather in the Kenan Stadium area. East Tennessee State kicked a 41-yard field goal to cap off its first drive after the delay, and the three points were the first allowed by the UNC defense in 105:03 of game time.
UNC has not lost to an FCS team since 1999. The Tar Heels will take their 2-0 record into a road meeting at Clemson next Saturday at 12 p.m. UNC has not won at Clemson since 2001.
Featured image via UNC Football on Twitter
Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.
UNC Football Dominates in Home Opener, Blows Out East Tennessee State Chapelboro.com.
Hence then, the article about unc football dominates in home opener blows out east tennessee state was published today ( ) and is available on chapelboro ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( UNC Football Dominates in Home Opener, Blows Out East Tennessee State )
Also on site :
- I Thought I’d Met a Great Guy. When He Refused to Treat His Genital Infection, I Did Something I Never Wanted to Do.
- Beloved Singer-Songwriter, Compared to Carole King and Joni Mitchell, Was ‘All But Forgotten’ Until 26 Years After Her Death
- In ‘Magazine’, Director Alexandra Pechman Brings a Bygone Era of Print Media (and the 2010s) to TIFF Audiences