DURHAM, N.C.—Drake Maye connected with Antoine Green on the right side of the end zone for an 8-yard score with 16 seconds left to lift North Carolina past rival Duke 38-35 on Saturday night.
Maye’s throw capped a nine-play, 74-yard drive for a touchdown that stood on the slimmest of margins. Replays showed Green’s left foot land barely inside the sideline — with only a sliver of grass detectable between Green’s foot and the white paint — before officials declared after a review that the touchdown call would stand for the Tar Heels (6-1, 3-0 Atlantic Coast Conference).
Duke (4-3, 1-2) drove to midfield in the desperate seconds for a possible tying field goal, but UNC’s Noah Taylor batted Riley Leonard’s pass skyward for teammate Will Hardy to make a clinching diving interception with 2 seconds left.
That sent UNC fans into wild cheers with a still-unbeaten record in Atlantic Coast Conference play as the Coastal Division leaders, not to mention the chance to keep the Victory Bell that goes to the winner of the longstanding rivalry for a fourth straight year.
Maye threw for 380 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Tar Heels, while Josh Downs had nine catches for 126 yards that included a couple of spectacular grabs.
Leonard threw for 245 yards and a touchdown to go with a 74-yard scoring keeper to lead the Blue Devils. Jordan Waters ran for 91 yards and two scores, including his own highlight-reel moment with a 38-yard cutback run past multiple UNC defenders for a score and a 35-31 lead with 10:12 left.
Yet this one ended like each of the three since Mack Brown returned for a second stint leading the UNC program: with the Tar Heels jubilantly clanging the Victory Bell again on their way off the field.
THE TAKEAWAY
UNC: The Tar Heels have looked wobbly all season defensively while being carried by a stat-producing offense led by Maye, so much so that Brown said UNC is never out of a game with Maye. The last drive reinforced that fact, keeping the Tar Heels in control of the always-unpredictable division race. And considering the Tar Heels were the top vote-getter among unranked teams last week, they could find their way into Sunday’s new AP Top 25 poll, too.
Duke: The Blue Devils did plenty right in this one, including running for 297 yards while getting two takeaways. But they came up empty on a drive with a missed field goal that could’ve pushed the late lead to seven, then couldn’t come up with a final stop on Maye in the Tar Heels’ go-ahead drive.
UP NEXT
UNC: The Tar Heels are off next week and return to action Oct. 29 at home against Pittsburgh in another division matchup.
Duke: The Blue Devils visit Miami next Saturday.
Podcasts/Media
-
Podcast
/ 7 hours agoBleav in Carolina Panthers – The One With The Draft Aftermath – Tues April 30th 2024
Hosted by Desmond Johnson, Jonathan Stewart, Schuyler Callihan Plus much more!Audio provided by Bleav...
-
Podcast
/ 5 days agoOutta Pocket with Michael Davis – Fri April 26th 2024
Outta Pocket with Michael Davis Fri Panel: Cody Lachney, Kevin Avery, Desmond Johnson (Producer)...
-
Podcast
/ 6 days agoOutta Pocket with Michael Davis – Thurs April 25th 2024
Hosted by Michael DavisPanel: Mike Mele, Aaron Schneider, Desmond Johnson (Producer) Part of Tobacco...
-
Podcast
/ 6 days agoBleav in Carolina Panthers – The One Before The Draft – Tues April 23rd 2024
Hosted by Tobacco Road Sports Radio’s Desmond Johnson and Panthers all time leading rusher...
WWE
-
Podcast
/ 2 months agoDrop The Mike Podcast – Lodi Interview & Revolution Recap – Weds March 7th 2024
Lodi, former WCW wrestler, joins Drop the Mike this week for a special interview...
-
Podcast
/ 3 months agoDrop the Mike Podcast – Ep 75 – Weds Feb 14th 2024
The slap heard around the world! Join host Michael Davis and John Anthony (from...
-
Podcast
/ 3 months agoDrop The Mike Podcast – Wed Feb 7th 2024
The Rock or Cody Rhodes? Michael Davis is joined by Mike Mele (Mouthing Off...
-
WWE
/ 3 months agoThe Rock vs. Roman Reigns: Dream Match to Reality
On this Friday’s SmackDown, the Royal Rumble winner Cody Rhodes arrived to make his...
NFL/Carolina Panthers
-
NFL
/ 1 day agoMel Kiper questions immediate impact of Panthers offensive additions in 2024 NFL Draft
Published by On3 Mel Kiper is not sure how much of an impact the...
-
NFL
/ 1 day agoESPN: Carolina Panthers’ selection of South Carolina WR Xavier Legette among best Round 1 picks
Published by On3 The Panthers didn’t own a first round pick until they traded...
-
NFL
/ 2 days agoCarolina Panthers signing several UDFA players after NFL Draft
Published by On3 The Carolina Panthers got active following the conclusion of the 2024...
-
NFL
/ 2 days agoReport: Jack Plummer signing with Carolina Panthers as undrafted free agent
Published by On3 The Carolina Panthers are in bringing in some young quarterback depth...