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Tar Heels End Season With a Loss Against Ducks

Thomas Tripp

SAN DIEGO, CA – The North Carolina Tar Heels (9-4 overall, 6-2 ACC) were looking forward to their trip to the beautiful town in Southern California to get away from record-cold temperatures in the state.

Unfortunately, they were unable to deliver, thanks to Senior Quarterback Bo Nix (transfer from Auburn) six-yard pass to Senior Wideout Chase Cota (transfer from UCLA – father of Chad Cota – ex-defensive back for the Carolina Panthers from 1995-97) to help the 15th-ranked Oregon Ducks (10-3 overall, 7-2 Pac-12) over the Tar Heels in the 43rd edition, in front of 36,242 fans at Petco Park. This was the first edition since the 2019 game, since 2020 and 2021 were canceled due to COVID-19 protocols.

It was a close game throughout, as the Ducks outgained the Heels in total offensive yards by 414-322, despite UNC spending most of the game possessing the ball with 32:49-27:11. However the Tar Heels had more passing yards than the Ducks, 206-205.

The Ducks scored first during 11:05 of the First Quarter, when Sophomore running back Bucky Irving (Chicago, IL) ran a two-yard touchdown run to put Oregon on top by the score of 7-0. Then, at 4:37, the Tar Heels responded, thanks to a six-yard touchdown reception by Freshman Wideout Andre Greene (Richmond, VA) from Star Quarterback Luke Maye (Redshirt Freshman from Charlotte, NC), to have the game tied at seven.

The second quarter saw Irving break out a 66-yard touchdown run for the Ducks, to put them ahead by the score of 14-7 at 9:13. Then, the Tar Heels responded at 4:34, when Maye launched a 14-yard touchdown pass to Sophomore Tight End Bryson Nesbit (Charlotte, NC), to tie it at 14. Then, with 26 seconds remaining, Maye threw another touchdown pass – this time to Redshirt Freshman Kobe Paysor for 49 yards, for a 21-14 halftime lead.

Neither team was able to score in the third quarter. However, in the fourth, the 15th-ranked Ducks engineered a comeback victory.

After Sophomore Placekicker Noah Burnette (Raleigh, NC) opened up the Fourth Quarter with a 19-yard field goal with 9:13 remaining, to give the Heels a 24-14 advantage, Nix threw a six-yard pass to Sophomore Wideout Troy Franklin (Plato Alto, CA) at 6:58 remaining, where the Ducks got within three. Then, at 2:29 remaining, Burnette drilled a 44-yard field goal to help the Heels get on top, 27-21.

The Heels’ lead wouldn’t last long, as the Auburn transfer commenced the game with a six-yard touchdown pass to Chase Cota.

Oregon Ducks running back Bucky Irving was the Holiday Bowl MVP, as he had 13 carries with 149 yards and two touchdowns in the victory over the Tar Heels.

This is the third Holiday Bowl victory for the Oregon Ducks, as their other wins came in 2000 against Texas – then coached by Tar Heels Head Coach Mack Brown and in 2008 against Oklahoma State.