CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Gio Lopez threw a 51-yard touchdown pass to Chris Culliver on the game’s opening drive, and North Carolina gave Bill Belichick his first career win as a collegiate head coach, beating Charlotte 20-3 on Saturday night at Jerry Richardson Stadium.

Lopez was efficient, completing 17 of 25 passes for 155 yards and the early score. Running back Davion Gause added a 12-yard touchdown run with 13 seconds left in the first half to send the Tar Heels (1-1) into the break ahead 17-3. Rece Verhoff connected on field goals of 49 and 33 yards to round out the scoring.

The Tar Heels leaned on their defense to finish the job. North Carolina held Charlotte to 21 rushing yards on 29 attempts, intercepted two passes, and came up with a fourth-down stop inside the red zone. Linebacker Amari Simpson had a sack among five tackles for loss, while cornerback Marcus Allen broke up two passes.

Charlotte (0-2) moved the ball at times behind quarterbacks Conner Harrell and Grayson Loftis, who combined for 250 passing yards. Javen Nicholas was the bright spot with 11 catches for 122 yards, but the 49ers were shut out over the final 42 minutes and went 0-for-3 in the red zone. Liam Boyd hit a 39-yard field goal in the second quarter for Charlotte’s only points.

North Carolina finished with 303 total yards, including 148 on the ground, while forcing three turnovers and winning the time of possession battle in Belichick’s landmark first victory at the helm.