North Carolina fans will be in for a late night as their Tar Heels (2-3, 0-1 ACC) take on the California Golden Bears (4-2, 1-1 ACC) in Berkeley on Friday at 10:30 p.m. ET.
North Carolina is seeking its first win over a Power Four opponent since Nov. 16, 2024, when it defeated Wake Forest in Chapel Hill. This season, UNC has been outscored by Power Four opponents 120-33, with an average margin of defeat of 29 points. Most recently, the Tar Heels were overwhelmed by Clemson, 38-10, including a 28-3 first-quarter deficit.
California has a lot of good players, including freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, wide receiver Trond Grizzell, linebacker Cade Uluave, and cornerback Hezekiah Masses. Moreover, its defense is a solid one.
“It’s a big challenge for us here going across the country to play a good football team, and a team that I know is very well coached,” head coach Bill Belichick said. “They do a lot of things fundamentally well that we have to be ready for.”
Oct 17, 2025; Berkeley, California, USA; A North Carolina Tar Heels sits in the stands before their game against the California Golden Bears Heels at California Memorial Stadium. / Eakin Howard-Imagn Images
14:42 – Cal 0, UNC 0
UNC fumbles on the first play of the game. Cal recovers.
12:48 – Cal 7, UNC 0
Cal takes the lead on a 4-play, 25-yard drive finished off by a three-yard touchdown run by Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele. All plays were runs.
9:53 – Cal 7, UNC 0
UNC gets some good field position after they held the Bears to a 3-and-out deep on their own side of the field. The Tar Heels take over on Cal’s 42-yard line with 9:53 left in the 1Q.
4:48 – Cal 7, UNC 7
After UNC got closer to the endzone after a defensive holding call, Benjamin Hall barrels through Cal’s defense for the 18-yard touchdown run. The game is all tied up.
0:42 Cal 14, UNC 7
The cannon on Tightwad Hill fires as Cal scores on a 5-yard touchdown pass from JKS to Jacob DeJesus. The Tar Heels have to keep the cannon from firing and it starts with another touchdown drive.
6:14 – UNC 14, Cal 10
#UNC put together a solid drive, converting on fourth down but struggling on third downs (0-for-2 on last drive, 0-for-5 throughout game). Rece Verhoff hit a 40-yard field goal, narrowing Cal’s lead.
9:22 Cal 21, UNC 10
Cal extends its lead to 21-10 after a Kendrick Raphael 3-yard TD run. The play before, UNC’s Marcus Allen was called for a pass interference penalty on 3rd and 9.
12:14 Cal 21, UNC 18
Bullet Gause scores on a 4-yard TD run and they convert on the 2pt conversion when Lopez connected with Ben Hall on the pass.