North Carolina Tar Heels 18–21 California Golden Bears: Final Score & Recap | Week 8, 2025

Quick answer

California Golden Bears defeated North Carolina Tar Heels 21–18 in Week 8, 2025. Final score: North Carolina Tar Heels 18, California Golden Bears 21.

Game summary

California Golden Bears edged North Carolina Tar Heels 21–18 in Week 8 of the 2025 season.

Scoring: 5 touchdowns, 1 field goal across 6 plays.
Passing leader: Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (California) — 193.0 pass yds, 1 TD, +0.10 EPA/play.
Rushing leader: Kendrick Raphael — 93.0 yds, 1 TD.
Receiving leader: Jacob De Jesus — 13 rec, 105.0 yds.
EPA edge: California (+0.030/play) vs North Carolina (-0.117/play).

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
North Carolina Tar Heels	6	3	0	6	18
California Golden Bears	12	0	6	0	21

Scoring Map

Each pin marks a score on the field — TDs in the end zone, field goals near the kick line.

UNCNorth Carolina Tar Heels

OPP EZ

+3OPP 24

OPP EZ

CALCalifornia Golden Bears

FantasyHQ CFB Analytics

Scoring timeline

6 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

California
Q1TD
JSJaron-Keawe Sagapolutele
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
0-6
Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele rushes 3 yards for a touchdown
North Carolina
Q1TD
BHBenjamin Hall
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
6-6
Benjamin Hall rushes 18 yards for a touchdown
California
Q1TD
JDJacob De Jesus
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
6-12
Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele pass to Jacob De Jesus for a touchdown (7 yards)
North Carolina
Q2FG
Points+3
Yard line
OPP 24
Score
9-12
Field goal good from 41 yards
California
Q3TD
KRKendrick Raphael
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
9-18
Kendrick Raphael rushes 2 yards for a touchdown
North Carolina
Q4TD
DGDavion Gause
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
15-18
Davion Gause rushes 4 yards for a touchdown

Stars of the game

Top passers, rushers, and receivers from cfbfastR play-by-play.

Passing

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (California) — 193.0 yds · 1 TD · +0.10 EPA/play +4.05 EPA
Devin Brown (California) — 5.0 yds · -0.36 EPA/play -0.36 EPA
Gio Lopez (North Carolina) — 191.0 yds · -0.22 EPA/play -8.04 EPA

Rushing

Kendrick Raphael (California) — 93.0 yds · 1 TD +0.07 EPA
Benjamin Hall (North Carolina) — 68.0 yds · 1 TD -0.01 EPA
Davion Gause (North Carolina) — 31.0 yds · 1 TD +0.17 EPA

Receiving

Jacob De Jesus (California) — 13 rec · 105.0 yds +0.29 EPA
Jordan Shipp (North Carolina) — 4 rec · 18.0 yds -0.49 EPA
Kobe Paysour (North Carolina) — 6 rec · 101.0 yds +1.60 EPA

Quarterback report card

Attempts, efficiency, and EPA.

Player	Team	Att	Cmp%	Yds	TD	EPA/play	Total EPA
Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele	California	41	51.2%	193	1	+0.10	+4.05
Devin Brown	California	1	100.0%	5	0	-0.36	-0.36
Gio Lopez	North Carolina	36	47.2%	191	0	-0.22	-8.04

Team EPA comparison

Stat	North Carolina	California
Plays	64	71
EPA / play	-0.117	+0.030
Total EPA	-7.48	+2.13
Success rate	31.2%	38.0%
Pass EPA / play	-0.223	+0.088
Rush EPA / play	+0.020	-0.054
Yards	312	306

Drive chart

Key possessions and results.

Qtr	Offense	Plays	Yards	EPA	Result
Q1	North Carolina	1	7	-4.51	Fumble
Q1	California	4	25	+2.67	Rush TD
Q1	North Carolina	3	9	-1.68	Punt
Q1	California	3	2	-2.52	Punt
Q1	North Carolina	3	5	-3.02	Punt
Q1	California	6	28	+0.04	Punt
Q1	North Carolina	4	60	+4.81	Rush TD
Q1	California	12	75	+5.86	Pass TD
Q1	North Carolina	4	10	-3.16	Punt
Q2	California	4	12	-2.23	Punt
Q2	North Carolina	10	45	-0.07	Field goal
Q2	California	8	36	-0.45	Punt
Q2	North Carolina	6	16	-0.08	Punt
Q2	California	3	1	-0.55	Punt
Q2	North Carolina	3	0	-0.99	Punt
Q2	California	13	61	+2.80	Rush TD

Biggest EPA swings

Q1 · North Carolina Tar Heels · Fumble (-4.51 EPA)
Q1 · California Golden Bears · Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele pass to Jordan King for 23 yards (3rd & 18) (+4.37 EPA)
Q4 · North Carolina Tar Heels · Fumble (-4.27 EPA)
Q3 · North Carolina Tar Heels · Gio Lopez pass to Kobe Paysour for 20 yards (3rd & 10) (+3.69 EPA)
Q3 · California Golden Bears · Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele pass to Jacob De Jesus for 15 yards (4th & 1) (+3.4 EPA)
Q1 · California Golden Bears · Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele pass to Jacob De Jesus for 23 yards (3rd & 10) (+3.38 EPA)
Q3 · North Carolina Tar Heels · Gio Lopez pass to Shanard Clower for 31 yards (1st & 25) (+3.22 EPA)
Q2 · North Carolina Tar Heels · Gio Lopez pass to Connor Cox for 9 yards (4th & 2) (+2.94 EPA)

Key takeaways

California Golden Bears controlled the final (21–18) in Week 8.
Passing edge: Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (California) — 193.0 yds, 1 TD.
EPA edge: California at 0.03 EPA/play.
Full EPA, scoring map, and play-by-play live in CFB Analytics Box & Scores.

Frequently asked questions

What was the final score of North Carolina Tar Heels vs California Golden Bears?

North Carolina Tar Heels 18, California Golden Bears 21 in Week 8 of the 2025 college football season.

Who won North Carolina Tar Heels vs California Golden Bears?

California Golden Bears won with a final score of 18–21.

Where can I find the North Carolina Tar Heels vs California Golden Bears box score?

See EPA, scoring timeline, and full play-by-play on FantasyHQ CFB Analytics: /cfb-analytics?game=401754371.

Who led North Carolina Tar Heels vs California Golden Bears in passing?

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (California) led passers with 193.0 yards and 1 touchdowns.

Full analytics box score

Explore every snap, drive chart, and the interactive scoring map for North Carolina Tar Heels at California Golden Bears in FantasyHQ CFB Analytics Box & Scores.