North Carolina QB Billy Edwards Sounds Off After Beating TCU

It won't be a statement win for North Carolina, but Wisconsin transfer quarterback Billy Edwards did enough to release significant pressure surrounding head coach Bill Belichick before the season.

TCU entered Saturday's contest against North Carolina in Dublin, Ireland, as a near touchdown favorite, no doubt due to a number of factors. UNC lost to the Horned Frogs 48-14 last season before finishing with a 4-8 record. 

During training camp, UNC had to deal with general manager Michael Lombardi being placed on paid administrative leave amid an investigation and defensive coordinator Steve Belichick going on medical leave.

In a sloppy game in the rain at Aviva Stadium, Edwards went 16 of 38 passing for 232 yards. He led UNC's offense, which struggled in the run game, only recording 90 yards and one touchdown on 29 carries.

When speaking on the ESPN broadcast after the game, Edwards said it felt great to earn a win on Saturday, but noted the Tar Heels have plenty to clean up before playing ETSU on Sept. 12.

"It feels great," Edwards said. "First game of the season. I don't think I played my best football, but hats off to the defense. They kept us in the whole game. Big time stops in the fourth quarter. Multiple turnovers. 

"And shout out to the offensive line. I think we got the ball with four minutes or maybe a little under four minutes, and that's how you go finish a game. So it's really happy to be able to come out here and start the season off on the right note. We got a lot of stuff to clean up, but at least we can do it in the victory column."

The Tar Heels and Horned Frogs each lost two fumbles. UNC also struggled on special teams, committing a running into the kicker penalty late in the second half that could have been costly had TCU head coach Sonny Dykes called a timeout to stop the clock after the next play.

UNC's first punt, a 35-yard boot by Aeron Burrell, was returned for 33 yards by Ed Small for 33 yards, setting up a four-play, 25-yard touchdown by TCU four plays later.