By : Izaiah Ortiz
(AP Photo/Chris Seward)
College football often gives us matchups that feel lopsided at first glance — and this Saturday’s meeting between Richmond and North Carolina at Kenan Stadium has that vibe. An FCS program walking into an ACC powerhouse’s home field usually ends one way. But in September football, nothing is guaranteed, and Richmond is hoping to write a different kind of story.
Setting the Stage
North Carolina comes in at 1–1, still trying to establish its identity under Bill Belichick. After a humbling opening loss to TCU, the Tar Heels responded last weekend with a 20–3 win over Charlotte, a performance built on defense and steady quarterback play from Gio Lopez. This week’s game offers UNC a chance to sharpen things before conference play intensifies.
Richmond arrives at 1–1 as well, with plenty of motivation. The Spiders haven’t beaten Carolina since 1978 — but that lone win still lingers in their program’s history. Head coach Russ Huesman knows his team has nothing to lose and everything to gain by playing fearless football in Chapel Hill.
Key Matchups
Kyle Wickersham vs. UNC’s Front Seven
Wickersham is Richmond’s engine, leading the team in both passing and rushing. At 6’4” and 260 pounds, he’s a rare dual-threat who can punish defenses if he gets rolling. The challenge? UNC’s linebackers, led by Andrew Simpson, just held Charlotte in check and are improving week by week.
Gio Lopez vs. Richmond’s Secondary
Lopez doesn’t need to throw for 400 yards; he just needs to keep the offense efficient and avoid turnovers. Against Richmond, his ability to stay patient and take what the defense gives will set the tone.
Belichick’s Blueprint vs. Spider Resilience
Belichick preaches discipline, and this game will test how well his team can execute against a lower-division opponent. Richmond will try to extend drives, chew clock, and capitalize on any Carolina mistakes.
How Will it Go?
UNC has the clear edge in talent, depth, and home-field advantage. The most realistic path for Richmond is keeping things close early — if Wickersham can extend plays and the Spiders’ defense forces a turnover, the pressure in Kenan Stadium could rise.
But if UNC’s defense brings the same energy it showed last week, and Lopez stays steady, the Tar Heels should control this one comfortably.
Richmond will scrap, but North Carolina has too much on both sides of the ball. The more interesting storyline might not be the score itself, but whether the Tar Heels look like a team taking steps forward under Belichick. Expect UNC to come out on top — the question is just how sharp they’ll look doing it.