CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (Interstat) — North Carolina defeated East Tennessee State 35-3 on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Kenan Stadium in an NCAA Football Bowl Division game. The Tar Heels improved to 2-0, while the Buccaneers fell to 1-2. Billy Edwards Jr. threw two touchdown passes, and Demon June ran for three scores to power North Carolina. Ewan Johnson kicked a 41-yard field goal for East Tennessee State in the second half, and Aeron Burrell missed a 48-yard field goal for North Carolina in the fourth quarter. North Carolina’s defense kept East Tennessee State out of the end zone. The Tar Heels led throughout and controlled the visiting Buccaneers. North Carolina next travels to Clemson, while East Tennessee State hosts West Georgia. The Buccaneers had opened the season with a loss to Campbell before beating Tusculum, while the Tar Heels beat Texas Christian in their opener.