Duke delivered a crushing blow to North Carolina’s postseason hopes, using a late trick play and a goal-line finish to beat the Tar Heels 32-25 on Saturday.
Anderson Castle powered in the go-ahead 1-yard touchdown with 2:18 remaining, a score set up by a bold fake field goal. Holder Kade Reynoldson flipped the snap to kicker Todd Pelino, who raced 26 yards to the UNC 1 to set up the decisive play.
Duke (6-5, 5-2 ACC) then added a 2-point conversion and got a defensive stop to secure bowl eligibility and retain the Victory Bell.
Gio Lopez threw and ran for touchdowns for UNC (4-7, 2-5), while Davion Gause added a rushing score. But the Tar Heels’ final drive stalled, ending Bill Belichick’s hopes of a bowl in his first season.
UNC was undone by 12 penalties for 103 yards, including three unsportsmanlike fouls in the fourth quarter. The Tar Heels end the season with another in-state battle with NC State.
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