DURHAM, N.C. — North Carolina saved its best for the closing minutes Saturday, as Jaylen McGill broke free for a 24-yard touchdown run with 1:53 remaining to lift the Tar Heels to a dramatic 24-20 victory over rival Duke.
The win marked North Carolina’s second consecutive road victory as an underdog and gave the Tar Heels another reason to celebrate in one of college football’s fiercest in-state rivalries.
Quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. threw for 191 yards and a touchdown, then came through with a critical fourth-down completion on the game-winning drive. North Carolina improved to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in Atlantic Coast Conference play, while Duke fell to 4-2 and 1-2 in the ACC.
“Fortunately, we were able to make a couple more plays than they did,” North Carolina coach Bill Belichick said. “I thought our guys earned it.”
Tar Heels Strike Early
North Carolina controlled the opening stages, building a 17-0 lead before Duke began its comeback.
Wide receiver Jordan Shipp opened the scoring with a 5-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter. The Tar Heels added to their advantage when Demon June powered into the end zone from 4 yards out early in the second quarter.
Duke finally got on the scoreboard when safety Andrew Pellicciotta recovered a fumble and returned it 9 yards for a touchdown. The defensive score changed the momentum and gave the Blue Devils a path back into the contest.
North Carolina’s offense then went cold. After scoring its first 17 points, the Tar Heels struggled to generate production and went more than 41 minutes without another touchdown.
Duke gradually took advantage, working its way back into the game and setting up a tense finish.
Duke Takes the Lead
The Blue Devils continued to apply pressure in the fourth quarter, putting North Carolina in danger of surrendering a lead it had held for most of the afternoon.
With 4:39 remaining, quarterback Walker Eget connected with Nate Sheppard on a short pass, and Sheppard reached the end zone for a 7-yard touchdown. The score gave Duke its first lead of the game at 20-17.
Sheppard, one of the nation’s most productive rushers by average yards per game, was held to 77 yards on 20 carries. He made a greater impact as a receiver, finishing with 98 yards on 11 catches.
Duke appeared to have seized control, but North Carolina responded with a composed drive when the pressure was at its highest.
McGill Finishes the Comeback
Facing a potential defeat, Edwards directed North Carolina downfield on its final full possession. The Tar Heels covered 78 yards, overcoming a crucial fourth-down situation that could have ended their hopes.
With 3:48 remaining, North Carolina faced fourth-and-4 at its own 28-yard line. Belichick elected to keep the offense on the field rather than punt, and Edwards delivered a 12-yard completion to tight end Jelani Thurman over the middle to extend the drive.
Belichick said he had no intention of punting in that situation.
“I wasn’t punting again,” he said. “I wanted to take our best shot.”
Edwards said the team had practiced the play and used it several times during the game.
The conversion kept the Tar Heels alive, allowing them to move into scoring position. McGill then found an opening through the line and raced 24 yards into the end zone with 1:53 remaining, reclaiming the lead for North Carolina at 24-20.
The Tar Heels’ defense held on from there, securing the victory and ending Duke’s hopes of another late rally.
Victory Bell Returns to Chapel Hill
The final whistle set off a celebration among North Carolina players, who raced across the field to reclaim the Victory Bell, the trophy awarded to the winner of the annual rivalry matchup.
For the Tar Heels, the victory was especially satisfying after watching Duke mount a comeback from a 17-point deficit.
Receiver Jordan Shipp, whose first-quarter touchdown helped establish North Carolina’s early advantage, expressed his appreciation for the rivalry atmosphere.
“It felt amazing,” Shipp said. “That’s why you come to Carolina, for a rivalry game like that.”
Belichick also enjoyed the moment. As he spoke with reporters after the game, the sound of the Victory Bell ringing nearby occasionally interrupted the conversation.
Asked whether he had rung the bell himself, Belichick confirmed that he had.
“I did ring, absolutely,” he said, adding jokingly that footage would probably surface online.
Blue Devils Left Searching for Answers
For Duke, the loss marked the end of an eight-game winning streak against in-state opponents. The Blue Devils suffered another difficult late-game defeat after also failing to protect a lead against Georgia Tech the previous week.
Coach Manny Diaz acknowledged the disappointment but encouraged his players to remain confident in their overall ability.
“I told the team in the locker room that there’s a good football team that’s had two very tough results,” Diaz said.
Duke’s inability to protect its fourth-quarter advantage proved costly, while North Carolina’s successful fourth-down conversion and McGill’s decisive run made the difference.
The Tar Heels left Durham with a rivalry victory, a conference win and the Victory Bell back in their possession.
Up Next:
North Carolina returns home Saturday night to host Syracuse.
Duke travels to Virginia for a Friday night matchup.
