Cal mocked the recent statement North Carolina made in support of embattled coach Bill Belichick in the final minutes of Friday’s 21-18 win over UNC.
After a fourth-quarter fumble by Tar Heels wide receiver Nathan Leacock seemingly sealed Cal’s win, the Golden Bears put a pair of statements on the scoreboard (h/t The News & Observer’s Shelby Swanson).
One statement showed Cal’s mascot, Oski the Bear, telling fans he is “fully committed to Cal Athletics and the program we are building here.”
That was accompanied by a quote from Cal executives: “Oski has our full support. No, really, we mean it. Why else would we make this statement?”
Cal’s scoreboard message came just over a week after Belichick and UNC released twin statements seemingly in response to rumors he and the program had discussed a potential buyout of his contract.
After Belichick wrote that he was “fully committed to UNC Football and the program we’re building here,” UNC athletics director Bubba Cunningham added: “Coach Belichick has the full support of the Department of Athletics and University.”
Those statements were initially released after UNC suffered back-to-back losses to UCF and Clemson. North Carolina has now fallen to 2-4 (0-2 ACC) following Friday night’s defeat at Cal.
This isn’t the first time an opponent has poked fun at Belichick and the Tar Heels after defeating the program this season.
TCU reacted to a season-opening win over UNC by asking when the since-cancelled Hulu documentary featuring the Tar Heels would be released. UCF responded to their own victory over North Carolina by spoofing a viral photo of Belichick and his girlfriend.
Belichick will hope not to give No. 18 Virginia any excuses for more mockery when the Tar Heels take on their first ranked opponent of the season at home next Saturday. Kickoff against UVA is set for 12 p.m. ET.
