In a tale of two halves, it was a thrilling contest at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium, where the Duke Blue Devils orchestrated an impressive second-half comeback, scoring 21 unanswered points to defeat North Carolina 21-20. This victory, celebrated in front of a sold-out crowd of 35,018, marked Duke’s first win over the Tar Heels since 2018 and elevated the team to an unbeaten record of 5-0. Star Thomas led the charge with a season-high 166 rushing yards and a touchdown, contributing to the Blue Devils’ total of 394 yards in the game. Duke’s victory also marked their longest winning streak since the end of the 2023 season, now at seven consecutive games.
The game began with North Carolina jumping out to a commanding 20-0 lead by the start of the second half. The Tar Heels opened the scoring with a 40-yard field goal and built their advantage with multiple touchdowns. However, the tide turned when Duke responded with a 75-yard drive culminating in a touchdown by Thomas. With each possession, Duke’s defense stifled North Carolina, leading to another score that brought the game to 20-14. The Blue Devils took the lead for the first time with a 20-yard touchdown run from Peyton Jones late in the fourth quarter. Despite a late drive by the Tar Heels, Duke sealed the victory with an interception by Tre Freeman, securing their place in history with one of the program’s most remarkable comebacks.
Duke’s Resilience
Duke’s offense, led by running back Star Thomas, came alive in the second half after a sluggish start:
- Thomas rushed for 166 yards and scored two touchdowns (1 running, 1 pass catch).
- Quarterback Maalik Murphy threw for 209 yards and a touchdown after being relatively pedestrian in the first half.
- The Blue Devils amassed 297 yards in the second half alone.
Duke’s defense also stepped up, holding UNC to just 51 rushing yards on 17 attempts in the final two quarters, compared to 105 yards allowed in the first half.
UNC’s Collapse
The Tar Heels’ strong start unraveled in the second half:
- UNC built a 20-0 lead by the third quarter but failed to score again.
- The offense stalled, unable to sustain drives, the offensive line could not slow down the blitz, or enable conversions on 3rd down, or control the clock with the previously successful running game.
- Defensively, UNC couldn’t contain Duke’s running game or make crucial stops.
- Duke controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.
Key Moments
- Peyton Jones’ 20-yard touchdown run gave Duke its first lead with 5:42 remaining.
- Duke’s Tre Freeman sealed the victory with an interception in the final minute.
- The Blue Devils overcame a 2-for-14 third-down conversion rate.
Implications
This loss, coming on the heels of a 70-50 defeat to James Madison, raises serious concerns for UNC’s season. For Duke, the win keeps their undefeated streak alive and establishes them as a force in the ACC.
Despite Criswell’s 251 passing yards and Omarion Hampton’s 103 rushing yards, the team struggled to adapt as Duke made effective adjustments. The secondary was simply abysmal with their tackling when runs reached the second level. With back-to-back losses, there are questions about whether the locker room will remain cohesive and what changes might be needed moving forward as they prepare to face Pitt next Saturday. Jeff Collins has to be under a microscope.
UNC coach Mack Brown acknowledged the team’s effort but lamented “letting Duke off the hook”. “I thought we would come out and take over the game, which we should have to start the third quarter, and we didn’t,” said Tar Heel head coach Mack Brown of the second half. “‘Why did we tackle in the first half and not the second?’ I don’t know. I thought we would still win the game. We did not play well on either side of the ball in the second half.”
The Tar Heels will need to regroup quickly as they face Pittsburgh next week, while Duke looks to continue their momentum against Georgia Tech.
Reflection
By the end of the game, a weary Mack Brown trudged off the field, shadows of disappointment dominating his face as jubilant Duke students flooded the field, celebrating their team’s victory. The echoes of the Victory Bell ringing resonated long after the players had taken their victory lap, a haunting reminder for UNC fans of what had just transpired. As Brown made his solemn walk to the visiting locker room, the weight of the loss hung heavy in the air. Just days before, he had reflected on the need to better manage his emotions following the defeat to JMU, and though he seemed composed, this loss served as a stark reminder that the situation could always deteriorate further for the Tar Heels.
For UNC supporters, the agony was palpable; witnessing their team squander a commanding lead was a gut-wrenching experience. The once-promising game had turned into a nightmare, with each passing moment of broken tackles, extra yards, and stops by Duke’s defense intensifying the collective heartbreak. The unfamiliar sounds of celebration from their rivals only deepened the sting, leaving fans grappling with the stark reality that this season has taken an unsettling turn.