Tag Archive for: #victorybell

UNC Football Retains the Victory Bell After Emotional Double Overtime Victory 47-45

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— text and picture by Patrick Magoon freelance writer for WIZS

The Victory Bell remains in Chapel Hill after an emotional battle between the North Carolina Tar Heels and long-time rival Duke Blue Devils called for double overtime. UNC quarterback Drake Maye completed 28 passes for 342 yards and one touchdown. Maye also ran 12 times for 22 yards, including a rushing touchdown.

“I saw Drake Maye do some things tonight, that were just unbelievable,” said UNC head coach Mack Brown. “He made play after play after play, including the two-point play that normal people just don’t make.”

Through the air, Maye looked poised in the pocket, dispersing the ball to seven offensive playmakers. One of Maye’s top targets, wide receiver Tez Walker, reeled in seven passes for 162 yards.

UNC’s ground attack was equally successful. Tar Heel running back Omarian Hampton demonstrated elusiveness and explosive speed, carrying the ball 31 times for 169 yards.

UNC wasted no time putting points on the board. Their first offensive drive consisted of 10 plays, which accumulated 75 yards. During that drive, Maye connected with Walker for a 43-yard completion before rushing into the end zone for a one-yard score.

After UNC’s defensive unit limited Duke to four yards, Maye led a fast-paced offensive attack, advancing the 67 yards in 3:51 to set up a 31-yard field goal.

Towards the beginning of the second quarter, Duke, down by 10, found its footing and marched 70 yards for a touchdown to shrink UNC’s lead to six. However, for most of the first half, UNC was dominating in total yards and success through the air.

On the ensuing possession, the Blue Devils took advantage of UNC’s poor field position by forcing an interception to set up a scoring opportunity at the UNC 14. A few plays later, Duke quarterback Grayson Loftis rushed three yards into the end zone to give his team its first lead of the night.

UNC’s last drive of the first half resulted in a 25-yard field goal to reclaim the lead.

After Duke failed to gain a yard on its first drive of the second half, UNC went 55 yards to set up a 27-yard field goal and extend its lead to six.

Throughout the third quarter, The Tar Heel defense stunned the Blue Devils, limiting them to 16 yards of total offense and forcing multiple punts. With the clock winding down at the end of the third quarter, UNC’s offense found themselves in an excellent scoring position. Then, at the top of the fourth quarter, Hampton plowed his way into the end zone, building a comfortable 12-point lead.

Duke’s offense bounced back in the fourth quarter, outscoring UNC 22-10. After scoring three touchdowns, Duke managed to take the lead with 41 seconds left in the game. However, that lead was brief because UNC kicker Noah Burnette booted the ball 43 yards through the end zone to tie the game up at 36-36.

Duke received the ball to start the first period of overtime. With minimal success, they had to settle for a 49-yard field goal. The Tar Heels responded with another Burnette field goal to force a second overtime.

On UNC’s second possession in overtime, Maye rushed five yards into the end zone and completed a two-point conversion. Duke, down by eight, responded with a touchdown after Loftis hit wide receiver Jordan Moore in stride. Unfortunately for Duke, the two-point try was unsuccessful as the ball fell incomplete. Tar Heel fans immediately stormed the field to celebrate the hard-earned victory.

“What a game,” said Brown. “It was fun to coach. It was fun to watch and both teams competed.”

UNC vs Duke Football – Listen Here

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Click here to Listen Live online within 75 miles of Henderson.  Listen Local in Henderson at 1450 AM / 100.1 FM.

— written by Patrick Magoon freelance writer for WIZS

Almost 134 years ago, a North Carolina-based higher education rivalry was born. The deep-rooted rivalry, located in the vicinity of the Research Triangle, includes The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) and Duke University. Both esteemed institutions are working towards advancing their football programs to the next level.

The Victory Bell: A Yearly Tradition

The two football teams met for the first time on November 27, 1888. Since 1922, the Tar Heels have clashed with rival Duke yearly.  Each year, the teams compete for the Victory Bell, a trophy awarded to the winner of the annual Duke-UNC game. The Tar Heels received the first-ever Victory Bell in 1948 after a shutout victory in Chapel Hill.

The trophy, deriving from an idea introduced by cheerleaders Loring Jones of Duke and Norman Spear of UNC, fuels the growing intensity of this fierce rivalry. When the Tar Heels possess the Victory Bell, before kickoff, the cheerleaders and Rameses, the team’s mascot, wheel out the bell while simultaneously ringing it. Then the bell is placed in front of the students’ section for display. In the past, the winning team customized the base of the bell to include their school colors.

A Photo That UNC Fans Will Never Forget

In 1989, former Duke head coach Steve Spurrier, in his last game at Kenan Stadium, led his team to a stunning 41-0 victory in Chapel Hill. Immediately after the game, Spurrier celebrated the monumental ACC win by posing with his players near the scoreboard, an image that UNC fans and some former employees will never forget. To this day, Spurrier keeps a copy of the photo in his office.

Now, roughly 33 years after that photo was released by Duke, the scoreboard at both institutions is immediately shut off when the game clock hits zero.

A Head-to-Head Duke-UNC Comparison

Since 1948, The Tar Heels lead the series 46-25-1. The Tar Heels’ longest win streak of 13 games occurred from 1990 to 2002. In comparison, Duke’s series-high seven-game win streak lasted from 1950 to 1956. Considering Duke won just seven games over 35 years from 1959 to 1984, the rivalry briefly lost some of its appeal. However, a recent coaching change at Duke facilitated new energy and philosophy that reenergized both fanbases.

As of October 9, 2022, The Tar Heels’ top-performing offensive assets through six games include wide receiver Josh Downs and running back Omarion Hampton. The assets have amassed 643 yards and 12 touchdowns. Duke’s best offensive performers, including wide receiver Jalon Calhoun and running back Jaylen Coleman, have accumulated 692 yards and six touchdowns.