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Tar Heels Rout Duke, Keep Victory Bell at UNC

Thomas Tripp

CHAPEL HILL, NC — The North Carolina Tar Heels wanted to put their abysmal performance on the road last week in the past as they blasted their arch-rival — the Duke Blue Devils (3-2 overall, 0-1 ACC) by the score of 38-7, in front of 45,812 people at Kenan Memorial Stadium.

Junior Quarterback Sam Howell led the way with 321 passing yards and three touchdowns. He started off passing the ball to Graduate Student Runningack Ty Chandler for a 75-yard touchdown reception, which put the Heels up on the scoreboard, 7-0 at the conclusion of the 1st Quarter.

However, as the 2nd Quarter started, the Tar Heels put points on the scoreboard once again, thanks to Senior Defensive Back Trey Morrison recording a 63-yard fumble return for a touchdown, as the Tar Heels led by the score of 14-0 at 13:25. Later during that same quarter, Sam Howell followed up with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Kamari Morales, to give them a 21-0 lead at 6:03 left. They led 24-0 at the conclusion of the 2nd quarter, thanks to a 28-yard field goal by Graduate Kicker Grayson Atkins with 1:24 left.

The 3rd Quarter was when Duke had its only opportunity to score. It came when Graduate Student Quarterback Gunnar Holmberg made an 80-yard touchdown pass to Junior Wideout Jalon Calhoun, with 14:40 left. These were the lone points scored during this quarter.

The fourth quarter was when the Tar Heels really put the Blue Devils away. Ty Chandler had another touchdown. This time he ran the ball for 14 yards. And finally, with 6:04 remaining, Sophomore wide receiver Josh Downs caught a 63-yard touchdown reception from Howell, to make it 38-7, which would ultimately become the game’s final score.

For Duke, Quarterback Gunnar Holmberg went 17-for-24, with 184 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. On the rushing side, running back Mataeo Durant led the way with 114 rushing yards with 19 carries. Jalon Calhoun led the Blue Devils in receiving yards with 6 receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown.

In addition to Howell’s stellar performance, Josh Downs had a spectacular one as he made eight receptions for 168 yards and a touchdown. Also, Ty Chandler led the Tar Heels with only 53 rushing yards and a touchdown. Chandler also recorded a receiving touchdown.

Next week, the Blue Devils welcome the Yellow Jackets of Georgia Tech to Wallace Wade Stadium for a 12:30 Saturday afternoon game, which will be televised by Regional Sports Networks (Bally Sports Networks), while the North Carolina Tar Heels have a home date with lowly Florida State at 3:30, on the campus of Kenan Memorial Stadium, which will either be televised on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC or ACC Network.