Last week, North Carolina’s football team defeated Charlotte 20-3, giving Bill Belichick his first college football win, but the team is still struggling to establish itself. By limiting them to just 271 total yards, including a pitiful 21 yards on the ground, the Tar Heels’ defense showed improvement after being thrashed by TCU in Week 1, allowing 542 yards and seemingly giving up first downs on every play.

UNC will host Richmond (1-1) at Kenan Stadium this Saturday. Richmond is a disciplined and proven team that has made three straight FCS Playoff appearances. “Richmond’s an impressive team to watch. Coach (Russ) Huesman has done a good job there, and they have a very experienced staff on the offensive side of the ball,” Bill Belichick said ahead of the matchup. Given that scenario, UNC will need to tighten up and steer clear of the slow starts that have plagued them.

Fans are expecting a strong broadcast crew for this weekend’s Richmond vs. UNC game on the ACC Network. Chris Cotter, who has years of experience calling college basketball, lacrosse, and football, will take over the play-by-play duties. He has been a regular on programs like SportsCenter and College Football Live since joining ESPN in 2012, and more recently, he has been calling games on the ACC Network. He had a solid background prior to that, having worked at CNN and Fox Business.

Max Browne will join in the booth, and it will be interesting to hear from someone who has direct experience with the game. Max, a former quarterback at Pitt and USC, has worked for networks like The CW and Pac-12. He does more than just call plays; he also hosts his own YouTube channel, the Max Browne Show, and promotes athlete mental health. He will offer valuable insights and break down the game in a way that fans can truly relate to because of his experience both on and off the field.

Throughout the game, Kendra Andrews will be providing updates from the sidelines. She began working for ESPN in 2022 and focuses primarily on the NBA, particularly the Golden State Warriors. Her skills as a sports reporter, however, extend beyond basketball; she has interned at The Washington Post and worked with NBC Sports Bay Area and The Athletic. She was raised in Oakland and is aware of the passion that football fans have for the sport, so it’s thrilling to watch the trio bring that enthusiasm to college football this weekend.

UNC looks to handle Richmond, but the Spiders can surprise

On paper, it makes sense for North Carolina to easily defeat Richmond this Saturday, as most fans expect them to. The Spiders, an FCS opponent, are coming off a 10-3 season and their third consecutive playoff appearance, while the Tar Heels are a Power 4 team. UNC has a history of dominating FCS teams, and their most recent game was a convincing victory. But Richmond has a history of pulling off surprises, though, as anyone who recalls that wild game in 1978 knows, particularly when UNC faces tougher opposition in the future.

Richmond is a focused team with a strong defense, despite their weak stats. The defense has been a true strength in recent years, and coach Russ Huesman has guided the program to steady progress. “Stonewall Defense” is more than just a nickname; it’s a badge of honor that Richmond earned during their run for the 2008 national championship. The unit is anchored by players like defensive end Camden Byrd, who had seven sacks, and linebacker Carter Glassmyer, who led the team with 87 tackles the previous season.

Senior QB Kyle Wickersham, a dual-threat playmaker who leads the team in rushing and is known for keeping defenses guessing, is Richmond’s biggest offensive threat. UNC’s defense must keep up with him, especially since Richmond’s defensive front has ranked in the top 20 in important categories like sacks, tackles for loss, and turnovers. “Richmond’s an impressive team to watch,” Belichick pointed out. The real test in the game is going to be maintaining focus and ensuring Richmond doesn’t pull off another surprise.