North Carolina opened the season with a rocky start Monday night, particularly on offense. After a promising opening drive, the Tar Heels struggled to sustain rhythm and consistency.
For UNC to regroup—especially offensively—quarterback Gio Lopez must deliver both production and stability. That plan hit a setback, however, when Lopez left in the third quarter with a back injury, forcing Max Johnson to close out the game.
Lopez’s status for Saturday’s matchup at Charlotte remains uncertain, but quarterbacks coach Matt Lombardi said the staff is exploring every option to help the offense get back on track.
“We’re going to look at some things we did well and things we didn’t do well,” Lombardi said Wednesday before practice. “When you don’t perform well, you take all that into account.”
Lombardi acknowledged Lopez’s uneven performance in the opener but emphasized the importance of moving forward.
“First game of the year, so whether he’s new or not, you’re always going to have jitters,” Lombardi said. “When you perform well on the first drive, it’s still about the next-play mentality. Whatever happened in the past, good or bad, you’ve got to move on and focus on the next play.”
The quarterbacks coach also credited head coach Bill Belichick’s steady demeanor in the wake of the loss, noting how it helps set the tone for the program.
“Coach is the same guy every day—that’s what makes him so great and so unique,” Lombardi said. “Whether he wins the Super Bowl or we lose Monday night, you get the same person. He’s a great teacher, a great leader, and someone we can turn to when we need answers.”
Lombardi added that his relationship with Lopez makes it easier to push for improvement.
“The best thing about Gio and the rest of the quarterbacks is they’re all coachable,” Lombardi said. “They want to be coached well and they want to perform well. So they’ll do whatever it takes. I think it’s about staying positive but also being critical where you need to be.”
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