The Bell Tolls: UNC Tar Heels beat Duke 44-20
The UNC Tar Heels finally played the complete game that they had been missing all season. They were able to secure the Victory Bell in dominating fashion with key contributions from the defense and the offense. The defense captured three turnovers and the offense discovered a running game that they had lacked for much of the year. Yes, this Carolina victory also relied on the workman-like performance of quarterback Marquise Williams, who prevailed despite fumbling the ball in Duke territory not once but three times.
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The first key was that the Tar Heels got off to a fast start, taking advantage of big plays to get the first score when Quinshad Davis ran something of a fade pattern in the end zone for a 7-0 lead. The defense then built on the lead when Nazair Jones separated Duke quarterback Anthony Boone from the ball deep in Duke’s territory. Safety Tim Scott scooped and ran the short distance to the end zone for 14-0.
Duke responded as anyone who was seen both teams play this season would. They got their own scoring drive capped by a pass to Isaac Blakeney, where no Tar Heel defender could stop the big receiver. Another Duke drive was fumbled away by Thomas Sirk on a run.
Nov 20, 2014; Durham, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back T.J. Logan (8) runs as Duke Blue Devils cornerback Bryon Fields (14) defends in their game at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
TJ Logan did quite a bit of running in this game, going for 114 rushing yards against the Duke 4-2-5 front. His big run of the first quarter was initially called a touchdown, but then the call was corrected to him being out of bounds at the one. Coach Fedora responded to three failed tries to score by having Williams throw to Hollins on the left side much has he had thrown to Davis on the right earlier.
The Tar Heels and Duke did not see much scoring in the second quarter although the Heels were in the red zone four times. They scored once and fumbled three times, all the fumbles by Williams. Duke could not answer and the half ended 28-7.
The third quarter saw little change. One Duke drive was ended by an MJ Stewart interception. The Heels scored ten more points behind Logan and a field goal from Thomas Moore. Duke’s one score was a reminder of failures past, as Tar Heel terrorizer Jamison Crowder got behind the defense to catch a touchdown pass from Boone.
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Duke scored once more in the fourth quarter, with Sirk doing his short yardage thing. It was too late. Fedora sent in the substitutes, and Williams got one more score and then was penalized for playing to the Tar Heel faithful that had lost most of their Duke neighbors.
Williams ended up with 275 passing yards at a 66% rate. He threw two touchdown passes and ran two touchdowns. His running backs, which provided much of the spark against the Duke defense, had 100 rushing games. Romar Morris got 106 yards rushing as the change of pace guy. Williams had 84 rushing yards of his own.
North Carolina is now bowl eligible with NC State to get ready for next week. Duke has lost its chance at the ACC Championship game, but can still get to ten wins with a bowl victory. Georgia Tech and Florida State will meet in Charlotte for the ACC Championship Game on December 6.