DURHAM – In a remarkable turnaround, Duke overcame a 20-point deficit to defeat North Carolina 21-20 in their Atlantic Coast Conference opener on Saturday. The victory ended Duke’s six-game losing streak against their in-state rivals and marked a significant milestone for first-year head coach Manny Diaz.
The game, played at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium, saw a crowd of 35,018 spectators witness a tale of two halves. North Carolina dominated the first half, building a 17-0 lead by halftime. However, Duke’s resilience in the second half turned the tide, culminating in a go-ahead touchdown run by Peyton Jones with just 5:42 left on the clock.
Duke’s comeback was spearheaded by running back Star Thomas, who finished with 166 yards on 30 carries and two touchdowns. Thomas’s performance was crucial in wearing down the North Carolina defense, which had shown vulnerability in their previous game against James Madison.
The first half belonged entirely to North Carolina. Quarterback Jacolby Criswell connected with J. Jones for a 24-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter, following an earlier field goal by Noah Burnette. Criswell struck again in the second quarter with a 10-yard touchdown pass to B. Nesbit, pushing the Tar Heels’ lead to 17-0.
North Carolina’s dominance continued into the third quarter when Burnette added another field goal, extending their lead to 20-0. At this point, Duke’s chances seemed slim, having generated only 97 yards of total offense in the first half.
The turning point came midway through the third quarter when Duke quarterback Maalik Murphy found Thomas for a 29-yard touchdown pass, finally putting the Blue Devils on the scoreboard. This spark ignited Duke’s offense and defense alike.
Early in the fourth quarter, Thomas punched in a 2-yard touchdown run, narrowing the gap to 20-14. The Duke defense, which had struggled to contain North Carolina’s offense in the first half, found its footing and forced crucial stops.
The stage was set for Jones’s game-winning 20-yard touchdown run with 5:42 remaining. Duke’s defense sealed the victory when Tre Freeman intercepted a Criswell pass in the final seconds, sending Blue Devils fans storming onto the field to reclaim the Victory Bell, the trophy awarded to the winner of this rivalry game.
Despite the loss, North Carolina’s offense showed efficiency, particularly in the first half. Criswell completed 21 of 39 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Omarion Hampton contributed 103 yards on 29 carries. However, the Tar Heels’ inability to sustain their momentum in the second half proved costly.
Duke’s Murphy, while not as prolific in the passing game, made key throws when it mattered most. He finished 15 of 34 for 209 yards and one touchdown. The Blue Devils’ ground game, led by Thomas, ultimately wore down the North Carolina defense, accumulating 185 rushing yards compared to North Carolina’s 156.
Defensively, both teams had standout performers. For North Carolina, J. Harris led with 11 total tackles, while A. Lane contributed 10. Duke’s defense was anchored by T. Moore and O. Nicholas, each recording 10 total tackles.
The game statistics reflected the close nature of the contest. North Carolina edged Duke in total offensive yards (407 to 394) and first downs (19 to 20). However, Duke’s ability to convert in crucial moments, particularly in the second half, proved decisive.
This victory improves Duke’s record to 5-0 for the season, while North Carolina falls to 3-2. The loss marks North Carolina’s second consecutive defeat, following their high-scoring loss to James Madison the previous week.
For Duke, this win represents more than just a single victory. It signifies a potential shift in the program’s trajectory under new leadership. Diaz, in his debut season with the Blue Devils, has now guided the team to their best start since 1994.
The game also highlighted the unpredictable nature of college football, where momentum can shift dramatically and no lead is truly safe. North Carolina’s inability to maintain their first-half performance will undoubtedly be a point of focus for head coach Mack Brown and his staff in the coming weeks.
As the ACC season progresses, both teams will look to build on this game. Duke aims to maintain their unbeaten record and prove themselves as contenders in the conference. North Carolina, meanwhile, faces the challenge of regrouping and addressing the issues that led to their second-half collapse.
Up Next
Both teams are in conference action next week as Duke (5-0) travels to Atlanta to take on Georgia Tech and North Carolina (3-2) hosts Pitt.
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