Jaylen McGill’s late burst and a decisive final interception let North Carolina survive a furious Duke rally and walk away with a 24-20 win on Saturday, Oct. 17.
The Tar Heels looked in control early, racing to a 17-0 lead, but Duke answered with 20 straight points to flip the game and grab a 20-17 advantage. UNC needed one more push, and McGill delivered it with a 24-yard touchdown run that put the Tar Heels back in front for good.
North Carolina improved to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in conference play, while Duke fell to the same record after entering the game at 4-0 and dropping its second straight contest by a combined seven points. UNC, meanwhile, has now won two in a row after losses to Clemson and Notre Dame.
This one fit the mold of the rivalry’s recent football meetings: tight, tense and decided late. UNC sealed it with an interception, the second of Walker Eget’s season. The Tar Heels also made Eget uncomfortable in a way few teams had this year; he had been sacked only once all season before UNC got to him in this game.
Billy Edwards Jr. handled the passing load for North Carolina, finishing 15 of 25 for 191 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions. On the ground, McGill paced the Tar Heels with 12 carries for 75 yards, averaging 6.3 yards per attempt. Demon June had 49 yards on 13 carries and added a rushing touchdown.
Edwards also chipped in 20 rushing yards, and UNC actually outgained Duke on the ground, 135 yards to 124.
Duke got Nate Sheppard into the lineup after he was a game-time decision, and he made a major impact. Sheppard ran 20 times for 77 yards and caught 11 passes for 98 yards, leading the Blue Devils in both categories.
Still, North Carolina did enough at the line and at the end of the game to get out with the win. Duke finished with five tackles for loss and sacked Edwards twice, while UNC had one sack and two tackles for loss. Even with the turnover battle going against them, 2-1, the Tar Heels held on when it mattered most.
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Duke Just Gave UNC A Huge Rivalry Week Problem
Dukes rivalry-week injury report has introduced another layer of uncertainty into a matchup that already carries plenty of tension for North Carolina. Running back Nate Sheppard is listed as a game-time decision, and his status matters because he has been Dukes most productive runner and one of the most important pieces of the Blue Devils offense.
If Sheppard cannot go, Duke would likely turn to CJ Campbell Jr., a less proven option with far less production and experience. For UNC, the difference between facing Duke with its lead back available or with a backup thrust into a bigger role could shape how the Tar Heels prepare for one of the seasons most closely watched games. [Read more 🡒]
Tar Heels Just Sent A Message Before Duke Showdown
North Carolina mens soccer kept rolling with a 1-0 road win over No. 7 Pittsburgh, a result that added another quality line to an already strong stretch. Max Fisher delivered the decisive goal in the 51st minute, finishing a pass from Bertil Rygaard Hansen and giving the Tar Heels the kind of road result that can sharpen a teams edge this time of year.
The victory stretched UNCs winning streak to five games and snapped Pittsburghs six-match unbeaten run, a nice reminder that the Tar Heels are carrying real momentum into the biggest matchups ahead. With Duke next on the horizon, the timing of this performance matters almost as much as the result itself, since wins like this tend to travel well when the pressure rises. [Read more 🡒]
UNC Gets Another Shot To End Duke Rivalry Frustration
North Carolina gets another crack at a rivalry that has been stubbornly frustrating lately when the Tar Heels meet Duke on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET in an ACC football matchup. The game will be carried on ESPN2 and SiriusXM radio, and it comes with some momentum after UNC recently upset a ranked opponent.
The bigger backdrop is simple: the Victory Bell has been out of reach in recent meetings, with Duke finding ways to win close games and leave Carolina looking for answers. Saturday offers the Tar Heels a chance to flip that script, and the broader schedule picture is already taking shape with UNCs 2026 football slate also in view. [Read more 🡒]