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Six games have now come and passed in UNC's Bill Belichick era. And still, the team has not yet beaten a Power Four opponent.
While the Tar Heels did play one of their most competitive games of the season Friday night, they ultimately fell 21-18 to Cal on the road. UNC's offense struggled at various points, but two turnovers were the key differences — an opening-drive fumble set the wrong tone for Belichick's unit, then another fumble in the fourth quarter prevented it from taking a late lead.
Cal quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, who exited with an injury in the fourth quarter, led multiple touchdown drives in the first half, and that was enough for the Golden Bears. Clutch defensive stops in the later quarters gave Cal its fifth win of the 2025 season, building some momentum in the ACC.
Meanwhile, UNC's struggles continued, even with some moral victories of keeping the matchup close this time. Belichick's security as head coach has been a touchy subject as of late, and that will likely continue with the Tar Heels' latest loss. It's an 0-2 start in ACC action for UNC as turnovers doomed the squad Friday evening.
The Sporting News tracked live updates and highlights from UNC vs. Cal in Week 8 of the 2025 college football season. Here's how Cal came out with the win.
UNC vs. Cal football score
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UNC vs. Cal updates, highlights from Week 8 college football game
All times Eastern.
Final: Cal 21, UNC 18
2:13 a.m. — That'll do it. UNC did compete in tonight's game, more than any other matchup this season, but a loss is still a loss for Bill Belichick's squad. An opening-drive fumble, and a more critical fourth-quarter fumble, doom the Tar Heels on the road, as Cal's offense built a lead and held on late with clutch defense.
UNC got the ball back one last time with six seconds remaining, but that wasn't enough time for a miracle as the squad falls to 2-4.
2:11 a.m. — UNC has used all of its timeouts. Cal is in full control, able to send this one final by running the clock out.
2:05 a.m. — Brown hits De Jesus for 11 yards just as the two-minute mark hits. Cal can seal this game with a few more plays, which would leave UNC haunted by its late fumble into the end zone and still winless against Power 4 opponents.
2:02 a.m. — Devin Brown remains in at quarterback for Cal, with Sagapolutele yet to return.
1:58 a.m. — Turnover! Cal gets a massive break just as the Tar Heels were threatening to take the lead late in the fourth quarter. Nathan Leacock was about to score, then Brent Austin's hit knocked the ball free into the end zone. Austin recovers for Cal, potentially saving the game for the Golden Bears.
It's the second UNC fumble of the day, the first coming on its opening drive.
HE PUNCHED IT OUT 😤
— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) October 18, 2025
Brent Austin forces the fumble and stops the score!
📺 ESPN x @CalFootball pic.twitter.com/HEBhw4KAzK
1:55 a.m. — UNC is into the red zone after a few third-down conversions. They can take the lead with a touchdown, or tie with a field goal.
1:50 a.m. — Gio Lopez barely picks up the fourth-down sneak from one yard out, keeping UNC's drive alive. Under eight minutes remain. Can the Tar Heels can their first ACC win?
1:43 a.m. — Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele is heading to the sidelines after taking a hit, with backup quarterback Devin Brown stepping in for Cal. The Golden Bears punt with their QB1's status up in the air, while the Tar Heels can suddenly take the lead.
Cal 21, UNC 18
1:35 a.m. TOUCHDOWN — The Tar Heels are still in it. Gause runs it in for six points, then Gio Lopez hits Benjamin Hall to cut the Cal lead to just three points. An eight-point boost has UNC within range to compete in this fourth quarter.
TAR HEEL TUDDY 👀@UNCFootball scores the TD and 2-point conversion to make it a 3-point game!
— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) October 18, 2025
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/Cuf9RvlASL
1:33 a.m. — Davion Gause runs up the middle for 18 yards, setting up 1st & Goal for UNC. Can the Tar Heels capitalize and shrink their deficit?
1:30 a.m. — The Golden Bears sack Lopez on second down, but then Chris Victor is called for unsportsmanlike conduct. UNC gets a first down out of the play.
End of third quarter: Cal 21, UNC 10
1:22 a.m. — Reviews made the third quarter go on for some time, with multiple in the final few plays, but Cal will take its lead into the final frame. UNC is moving the ball though, as Lopez hit Clower for 31 yards prior to the clock hitting zeroes.
1:17 a.m. — Gio Lopez converts on a key third down, finding Paysour for 20 yards to keep the UNC drive going. However, an offensive pass interference call sets the Tar Heels back immediately after.
1:10 a.m. — Cal's drive stalls out after a Tyler Thompson sack for UNC. The Golden Bears punt.
1:06 a.m. — Sagapolutele converts another Cal third down with a 12-yard pass. The Golden Bears can make it a three-score game at home on this drive.
1:01 a.m. — Hill had another 11-yard run, but UNC can't get much else on its opening drive for the second half. Belichick's squad punts, with Gio Lopez 11/22 with 84 yards tonight.
Cal 21, UNC 10
12:53 a.m. TOUCHDOWN — Kendrick Raphael punches it in for Cal this time around. The Golden Bears' offense hasn't had too much trouble today, with four third-down conversions and two fourth-down conversions. The Tar Heels will continue to play keep-up.
1's bringing the second-half heat 🔥
— Cal Football (@CalFootball) October 18, 2025
Kendrick Raphael scores his fifth rushing TD of the season to extend the lead.
📺 https://t.co/nrm7icV46p#SmartAndTough #GoBears pic.twitter.com/T9Ni37Qwai
12:48 a.m. — Cal is driving to open the second half. Sagapolutele is approaching 200 passing yards in the game, seeking to make it a two-score advantage.
Halftime: Cal 14, UNC 10
12:20 a.m. — Neither team can capitalize on opportunities to score before halftime. Through two quarters, Cal holds a four-point advantage thanks to passing and rushing touchdowns from Sagapolutele. Benjamin Hall's been running the ball well for UNC, which put itself in an early hole with a turnover.
12:12 a.m. — The Tar Heels punt for the fourth time with around a minute remaining before the break. Gio Lopez is 10/17 with 78 passing yards.
12:05 a.m. — With around three minutes remaining in the first half, UNC gets the ball back.
Cal 14, UNC 10
11:57 p.m. FIELD GOAL — A series of short plays results in some points for the Tar Heels. With 11 plays and 45 yards, Rece Verhoff then connects on a 41-yard field goal to make it a four-point UNC deficit.
11:46 p.m. — Bill Belichick's unit gets the football back at its own 32-yard line. Sagapolutele has 77 passing yards so far for Cal.
11:42 p.m. — UNC's drive stalls out before midfield. Cal will get a chance to add to its advantage following a punt.
End of first quarter: Cal 14, UNC 7
11:34 p.m. — Hall picks up another nice run for UNC as the first quarter comes to an end. The Tar Heels trail, but they have picked it up after the rough start.
Cal 14, UNC 7
11:28 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Cal is back in the end zone, going on a 12-play drive that results in a touchdown pass from Sagapolutele to Jacob De Jesus, who made an outstanding one-handed snag. The Golden Bears are back on top.
ONE-HAND GRAB 😳@CalFootball leads 14-7!
— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) October 18, 2025
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/ev7mckpWC1
Cal 7, UNC 7
11:16 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — UNC has responded after a slow start. Benjamin Hall runs into the end zone from 18 yards out, knotting the game at seven in California.
Nothin' stopping @ThebenjaminH on this run 😤
— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) October 18, 2025
📺 ESPN https://t.co/deRMMUe88Y pic.twitter.com/S7Xzi3Ibco
11:15 p.m. — The Tar Heels have something to work with. Lopez hits Kobe Paysour for a 37-yard play and first down, and UNC will have a chance to get on the board.
11:11 p.m. — An unlikely 3rd & 18 conversion kept Cal's offense on the field, but that's all the Golden Bears can get for now. Neither offense is finding much momentum as the first quarter rolls on.
11:05 p.m. — Three offensive drives for UNC: Fumble, punt, punt. Belichick's unit can't overcome a false start, giving the ball to Cal again.
10:56 p.m. — The Tar Heels' defense responds by forcing a Cal three-and-out.
10:53 p.m. — UNC punts on its second drive, not moving the ball much despite Gio Lopez being back in action. It's all Cal in the opening minutes.
Cal 7, UNC 0
10:49 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Great start for Cal, not so much for UNC. Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele runs it in himself, giving the Golden Bears a 7-0 lead already after the fumble.
JKS for 6 💪 pic.twitter.com/MXCVcLwwNX
— Golden Bear Report (On3 | Rivals) (@CalBearsOn3) October 18, 2025
10:42 p.m. — What a disastrous start for the Tar Heels. They started with the ball, but it doesn't last long. Shanard Clower fumbles away the football, and Cal takes over.
TURNOVER 💥
— The League Winners (@LeagueWinnersCF) October 18, 2025
North Carolina WR Shanard Clower fumbles the ball away on their first play from scrimmage. Cal takes over on UNC's 25-yard line. #GoBears
pic.twitter.com/OAkklTAedj
10:36 p.m. — They're just minutes away from kickoff in California. Will Bill Belichick get a key victory, or will Cal claim a home win?
9:10 p.m. — The Golden Bears are seeking to get off to a 5-2 start to the season tonight.
Your 𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 have arrived 👊#SmartAndTough #GoBears pic.twitter.com/MGGkQsShtr
— Cal Football (@CalFootball) October 18, 2025
9:08 p.m. — The Tar Heels have arrived for their away matchup, far away from Chapel Hill.
The Heels have arrived in Berkeley. 📍 pic.twitter.com/FmLofSWs8r
— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) October 18, 2025
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Where to watch UNC vs. Cal football
UNC vs. Cal start time
- Date: Friday, Oct. 17
- Time: 10:30 p.m. ET | 7:30 p.m. PT
The Tar Heels and Golden Bears will go head-to-head on Friday, Oct. 17 at 10:30 p.m. ET, which will be 7:30 p.m. local time at California Memorial Stadium.
What channel is UNC vs. Cal on today?
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Live Stream: Fubo, ESPN+
ESPN will have the call for UNC vs. Cal matchup on Friday night. Cord-cutters can follow the action on ESPN+ or Fubo, which offers a free trial for new users.
MORE: Why Bill Belichick banned Patriots scouts from UNC
UNC football schedule 2025
Here's a look at UNC's 2025 schedule.
| Date | Game | Time (ET)/Result |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 1 | vs. TCU | L, 48-14 |
| Sept. 6 | at Charlotte | W, 20-3 |
| Sept. 13 | vs. Richmond | W, 41-6 |
| Sept. 20 | at UCF | L, 34-9 |
| Oct. 4 | vs. Clemson | L, 38-10 |
| Oct. 17 | at California | 10:30 p.m. |
| Oct. 25 | vs. Virginia | TBD |
| Oct. 31 | at Syracuse | 7:30 p.m. |
| Nov. 8 | vs. Stanford | TBD |
| Nov. 15 | at Wake Forest | TBD |
| Nov. 22 | vs. Duke | TBD |
| Nov. 29 | at NC State | TBD |
Cal football schedule 2025
Here's a look at Cal's 2025 schedule.
| Date | Game | Time (ET)/Result |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 30 | at Oregon State | W, 34-15 |
| Sept. 6 | vs. Texas Southern | W, 35-3 |
| Sept. 13 | vs. Minnesota | W, 27-14 |
| Sept. 20 | at San Diego State | L, 34-0 |
| Sept. 27 | at Boston College | W, 28-24 |
| Oct. 4 | vs. Duke | L, 45-21 |
| Oct. 17 | vs. North Carolina | 10:30 p.m |
| Oct. 24 | at Virginia Tech | 7:30 p.m. |
| Nov. 1 | vs. Virginia | TBD |
| Nov. 8 | at Louisville | TBD |
| Nov. 22 | at Stanford | TBD |
| Nov. 29 | vs. SMU | TBD |