A year ago, nobody could have imagined that Bill Belichick would become UNC's football coach.

But when that impossibility became a reality, it was equally unthinkable that Belichick would finish 4-8 in his first collegiate campaign.

And even if that was his destined fate, there's no way you could've foreseen that Belichick's defense would allow NC State to score touchdowns on its first four drives in a 42-19 rout.

The Tar Heels (4-8) lost three straight games against Big 4 opponents to close the season. It's the first time they finished 0-3 against their in-state, ACC brethren since 1989. 

But it was the Wolfpack's game-clinching score in the fourth quarter that might as well have been a microcosm of this season in Chapel Hill. 

NC State (7-5) short-yardage quarterback Will Wilson barreled into the end-zone — with multiple UNC defenders failing to wrap up and instead getting pushed back — for a 15-yard touchdown run. As soon as the ball was snapped, penalty flags were thrown, which prompted many to believe the score would be called back.

"There were three fouls on the play," head referee Nate Black said. "All three on the defense. The result of the play is a touchdown." 

For the second consecutive week, UNC was flagged at least 10 times for over 100 penalty yards (11 for 129). 

However, the horrors of the finale at Carter-Finley Stadium, which recorded its second-coldest kickoff temperature ever (37 degrees), were not limited to the Tar Heel defense, though. 

Trailing 28-10 coming out of halftime and needing points quickly, UNC's offense had the ball nearing midfield. On 3rd and 3, a trick play designed for a downfield explosive instead ended with quarterback Gio Lopez slipping and falling before he could uncork a pass. The play resulted in a 14-yard loss and a punt.

Things escalated from bad to worse on the Tar Heels' next series. When Lopez was sacked on the second play of the series, he stayed down while grabbing his left leg. He would then exit into the visiting tunnel — without being able to put any pressure on it — and did not return to the game.

UNC's 4-8 record is the program's worst mark since the 3-9 season that ended Larry Fedora's tenure in 2018.