(Photo credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images)

Gio Lopez threw for two touchdowns and North Carolina scored TDs on its first three possessions of the second half to collect the first Atlantic Coast Conference victory under first-year coach Bill Belichick, defeating host Syracuse 27-10 on Friday night.

North Carolina (3-5, 1-3 ACC) was dominant on defense, limiting the Orange (3-6, 1-5) to 147 yards of total offense and putting a halt to a four-game losing streak. It marked the Tar Heels' first victory of the season against an opponent from a power conference.

North Carolina's Demon June rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries, and he added two catches for 81 yards and a score. Lopez completed 15 of 19 throws for 216 yards and wasn't intercepted or sacked.

Syracuse, which lost its fifth game in a row, benched quarterback Rickie Collins in favor of freshman Joseph Filardi, who made the start but never got untracked. Filardi wound up 4-for-18 for 39 yards. The Orange's only touchdown came courtesy of their defense on a fumble recovery.

The Tar Heels, who lost in overtime to nationally ranked Virginia last weekend, had a chance to score on all four second-half possessions, but they chose to take a knee after reaching the Syracuse 3-yard line at the two-minute mark.

North Carolina needed one play for to produce its first touchdown drive. Lopez's 72-yard pass to June on the Tar Heels' initial snap of the third quarter gave the visitors a 13-7 lead.

The Tar Heels increased the gap to 20-10 on June's 5-yard run with eight seconds left in the third quarter.

After recovering a fumble, the Tar Heels needed just three plays to cover 21 yards. Lopez connected with Jordan Shipp for a 21-yard touchdown and a 27-10 lead.

Syracuse, despite a 1-for-11 passing performance and 71 total yards, led 10-6 at halftime.

North Carolina opened the scoring on Rece Verhoff's 24-yard field goal, but Syracuse went ahead later in the first half when Shamar Easter fumbled and Anwar Sparrow returned the recovery 51 yards for a touchdown.

The Orange extended their lead on Tripp Woody's 31-yard field goal to conclude a 13-play drive that produced 50 yards. Verhoff's 43-yard field goal with 36 seconds left in the half closed the gap to 10-6.

--Field Level Media