Pre-Review_NCAAF: TCU Horned Frogs vs UNC Tar Heels

**Aer Lingus College Football Classic: TCU - UNC Pre-Review**

*Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland - Noon ET on ESPN - Week 0*

1st Quarter:

UNC wins the toss and defers. Bill Belichick wants to see his defense first in Year 2.

TCU takes over at their 25-yard line. New QB Jaden Craig, the Harvard transfer, looks comfortable. OC Gordon Sammis starts with tempo and a 12-yard RPO slant to Eric McAlister.

After a couple of first downs, UNC's defense stiffens. Linebacker Derek McDonald stuffs Jeremy Payne on 3rd and 2 and forces TCU to punt.

UNC takes over at their 18. Billy Edwards Jr., the Wisconsin/Maryland grad transfer, leads the Tar Heels out. Bobby Petrino starts conservative with inside zone and quick game.

After exchanging punts, TCU gets rolling.

With 3:15 left in the quarter, Jaden Craig fakes outside zone and hits Jordan Dwyer on a 38-yard play-action post down the sideline.

End of 1st: TCU 7 - UNC 0

2nd Quarter:

UNC's offense finds rhythm now that the Dublin nerves are gone.

Billy Edwards Jr. escapes for two runs of 15+ yards on their first drive, showing why Belichick wanted a veteran.

After starting at their 22, the Heels have 1st and goal at the 6. Edwards fakes a handoff, rolls left, and finds Trech Kekahuna in the flat for a TD, tying it 7-7 with 11:22 left.

TCU answers right back. Craig hits McAlister along the sideline for a 52-yard TD on a busted coverage. Frogs lead 14-7.

The Tar Heels jump back after a 61-yard kickoff return by Demon June is followed by a 24-yard screen to Benjamin Hall for a touchdown.

Defenses hold the rest of the half.

Halftime: TCU 14 - UNC 14

3rd Quarter:

TCU begins the half grinding. 55 yards on 10 plays, chewing 6:12 off the clock. Held short on 3rd and 6 from UNC's 19, they settle for a FG.

TCU 17 - UNC 14.

Down 3, UNC drives to TCU's 28 with no resistance. Then the turn - TCU DE Devean Deal forces Billy Edwards Jr. off his spot, tipped pass intercepted by Avery Helm at the TCU 30.

TCU wastes no time - 5 plays, 70 yards, capped by an 18-yard designed QB draw TD by Craig.

UNC ends the quarter with a sustained drive and a 44-yard FG from Liam Boyd to make it a one-score game again.

End of 3rd: TCU 24 - UNC 17

4th Quarter:

UNC's defense, which bent all day, finally turns up heat.

Caught in a double-A-gap blitz, Jaden Craig throws late over the middle - picked by UNC S Gavin Gibson at the UNC 41.

UNC is re-energized. Petrino goes up-tempo. Edwards works quick game and play-action. 59-yard drive capped by a 9-yard TD run up the middle by Benjamin Hall.

Tied 24-24 with 9:12 left.

Craig responds like a veteran Ivy League guy. He leads TCU 75 yards, converting two 3rd-and-longs, and hits Eric McAlister on a 7-yard back-shoulder fade for a TD.

TCU 31 - UNC 24 with 4:48 left.

UNC gets one more chance. Edwards gets them to midfield but on 4th and 3 from TCU's 47 with 2:21 left, Belichick - in true Belichick fashion - decides to punt and trust his defense and timeouts rather than risk giving TCU a short field down 7. Controversial call in Dublin.

TCU gets 2 first downs, but UNC uses all 3 timeouts and forces a punt. UNC ball at their own 21, down 31-24, 1:06 left, no timeouts.

Edwards goes 4-for-6, hits Kekahuna for 18, then Hall for 11 to get to the TCU 38 with 0:12 left.

Last shot - Edwards takes a deep shot to the end zone for Kekahuna, but TCU CB Avery Helm knocks it away as time expires.

Final: TCU 31 - UNC 24

### Summary:

Jaden Craig proved he belongs in the Big 12 as TCU survives a Belichick-coached team that looked nothing like last year's 4-8 squad. The difference was TCU winning the turnover battle 2-1 and winning on 3rd down. UNC showed fight but the punt on 4th-and-3 will be debated all flight home.

Notable stats:

**TCU QB**

Jaden Craig - 22-34, 278 yards, 2 TD, 1 Int,

11 rushes, 64 yards, 1 TD

**TCU WR**

Eric McAlister - 7 receptions, 134 yards, 2 TD

**UNC QB**

Billy Edwards Jr. - 26-41, 262 yards, 1 TD, 1 Int,

14 rushes, 58 yards

**UNC RB**

Benjamin Hall - 18 rushes, 82 yards, 1 TD

5 receptions, 58 yards, 1 TD