At a moment when all hope seemed to be lost, an interception on the goal line by junior linebacker Chazz Surratt with 14 seconds remaining sealed up a wild 20-17 victory for the UNC football team over the Duke Blue Devils on Saturday evening at Kenan Stadium.

Just as the Tar Heels (4-4, 3-2 ACC) appeared to be doing everything they could to hand the win over to the Blue Devils, Surratt—who has been outstanding all year long—refused to let that happen.

A questionable play call by Duke saw quarterback Quentin Harris hand the ball off to tailback Deon Jackson, who then attempted to jump in the air and throw a pass despite needing only one yard for a game-winning touchdown.

The Tar Heels celebrate after claiming the Victory Bell for the first time since 2015. (Photo via Dakota Moyer)

Defensive coordinator Jay Bateman alerted his defense to be aware of the “pop-pass”, leading to a poetic finish for Surratt—the former quarterback who just two years ago threw a crippling pick six in the fourth quarter that cost the Tar Heels a chance to beat Duke the last time the teams played in Chapel Hill.

“I think it’s crazy,” Surratt told reporters afterwards. “Stuff happens for a reason. I was in that position for a reason, so I’ve got to thank God, first off. Stuff like that just doesn’t happen.”

This after UNC fumbled the ball away on the Duke 2-yard-line with just three minutes remaining and allowed the Blue Devils to drive the length of the field—all the way down to the UNC 1-yard-line.

A pass interference penalty in the endzone gave Duke (4-4, 2-3 ACC) a first down and potentially four tries at winning the game outright, but the first play of that series provided the game-clinching interception.

The result was just the latest circus finish in a season full of them for head coach Mack Brown and the Tar Heels, as UNC beat Duke for the Victory Bell for the first time in four years and Brown officially became the school’s all-time leader with 73 career wins.

“We won a really tough game where we didn’t play well all the time,” Brown said. “And we won it on the ropes at the end, which is something we haven’t done well the last couple years.

“The significance of getting the bell back,” the Hall-of-Famer continued. “Of beating a good Duke team that we’ve had trouble beating over the last number of years and giving credit to all those kids that have played for us and coaches that have coached for us—that’s the cool part.”

Prior to the late-game theatrics, the game was playing out as a defensive battle with UNC leading just 7-3 at halftime.

Freshman quarterback Sam Howell threw two interceptions in the game and completed only 10 of his 26 passes, although he did have touchdown throws of 29 yards to Beau Corrales and 47 yards to Dazz Newsome—the latter giving the Tar Heels a 14-3 lead early in the third quarter.

Duke responded with back-to-back touchdowns, however, with the second coming directly after Howell threw an interception deep in his own territory.

Following a pair of field goals from Noah Ruggles to give UNC the lead back, though, the chaos ensued and the rest is history.

Somewhat improbably, the Tar Heels are now 4-4 and share the lead in the ACC Coastal Division alongside Virginia and Pitt. After having won just five games over the last two seasons, UNC will finally be playing meaningful football in November once again.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Brown said. “That’s the thing. You want Carolina football to be important. And to our fans right now, it’s important. Their packing it in, man. I love it.

“And again, over the last couple years—like you all—I’d sit and watch and see some empty seats [in Kenan Stadium],” he added. “They’re not there anymore.”

Up Next:

The Tar Heels will remain at home next weekend, as they are scheduled to host Virginia in a game set to kick off at 7:30 p.m.

Game Notes:

  • Surratt led the UNC defense with 12 tackles, a sack and the interception.
  • Linebacker Dominique Ross became the first Tar Heel with an interception, a sack and a forced fumble in the same game since Zach Brown did it back in 2011.
  • Sam Howell has thrown at least two touchdowns in all eight of UNC’s games this season. His 22 touchdown passes this season are tied for sixth all-time among ACC freshman quarterbacks.
  • The UNC rushing attack had three players run for at least 50 yards, led by 111 from sophomore Javonte Williams. Michael Carter added 64, while Antonio Williams contributed exactly 50.
  • UNC is now 9-2 all-time against Duke under Mack Brown.

 

FINAL STATS

 

Cover photo via Dakota Moyer

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