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NC State RB Hollywood Smothers uses Bill Belichick picture as dart target

Grant Grubbs Profile Pictureby:Grant Grubbs•05/15/25•

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Hollywood Smothers (3)
Oct 19, 2024; Berkeley, California, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack running back Hollywood Smothers (20) carries the ball against the California Golden Bears during the second quarter at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The North Carolina–NC State football rivalry is alive and well. On Thursday, NC State running back Hollywood Smothers posted a photo of a printed picture of new Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick holding up a UNC shirt. The picture had a dart in it, along with many other small holes, indicating the photo was being used as an impromptu dartboard.

NC State has won the last four meetings between the two rival programs. Most recently, the Wolfpack defeated North Carolina 35-30 on Nov. 30, 2024. Despite NC State’s recent success, North Carolina boasts a 68-40-6 all-time record against the Wolfpack.

In the Wolfpack’s win over the Tar Heels last season, Smothers recorded a team-high 83 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries. He also reeled in three receptions for 34 total yards.

Tempers flared after the game when NC State attempted to plant its flag at midfield of Kenan Stadium. North Carolina players took exception to the slight, grabbing the flag and tossing it toward the sidelines.

From there, a brawl erupted with numerous players throwing punches. NC State and UNC players had to be separated by staff members and police officers. After the scuffle, Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren criticized his team for its behavior.

“I don’t know what happened,” Doeren said. “We don’t need any of that. That’s bad for the game. … It was hard to play. It was hard to play smart today. There was a lot of stuff going on between the whistles with their guys. That’s the unfortunate part of the game.”

“I don’t know what happened in the end,” Mack Brown, who was UNC’s head coach at the time, added. “Somebody said they tried to plant their flag on our field. And I said two years ago that it was disrespectful. I said all week, you need to compete, but you need to do it with composure. So it’s another learning experience that you can’t fight, but you have to win the game. And kids have pride.”

Evidently, fans shouldn’t expect the heated nature of the rivalry game to dissipate with a new head coach leading the Tar Heels. In fact, the feud between the two programs might only intensify, with UNC expected to significantly improve under Belichick.

NC State will host the rivalry game in the upcoming season at its Carter-Finley Stadium. The Wolfpack and Tar Heels will clash in the final week of the regular season on Nov. 29.