Duke-UNC live updates: Tar Heels finish off Duke
Live updates have concluded for this game. For analysis and what we learned about UNC, click here. For analaysis and what we learned about Duke, click here.
Duke takes its 3-1 record on the road to Chapel Hill to face the 2-2 North Carolina Tar Heels on Saturday. Check back here for live updates during the game.
Game, set, match
The Tar Heels bled the clock dry and have won their 11th in a row over Duke under coach Mack Brown, though there was a gap between his tenures, of course.
Josh Downs on the board
A 63-yard strike from Sam Howell to Josh Downs helped the Tar Heels extend their lead to 38-7. Downs ran a crossing route from left to right, snared the ball, shook a defender and weaved through the secondary before running into the end zone for the score.
Downs is up to 168 yards on eight catches and the one touchdown. Howell is up to 321 yards and three TDs against no picks.
UNC extends lead
Ty Chandler added to his stats, and the Tar Heels added to their lead early in the fourth quarter, squashing Duke’s hopes of a comeback.
Chandler took the handoff from Sam Howell and burst through the line for a 14-yard run and a touchdown, his second of the afternoon. He also passed the 50-yard mark for the game. Much was made of the Duke run game before this game, but it’s been the Heels’ ground campaign making the most noise today.
UNC maintains lead
Though Duke scored the only points of the third quarter, the Tar Heels took a 24-7 lead into the fourth period.
The Blue Devils had more yards of total offense (317 yards to UNC’s 272) through three quarters. But the Blue Devils did not run a play from inside UNC’s 20 over the first three quarters. Duke’s two turnovers, one of which led directly to a UNC touchdown, is another reason the Tar Heels took control of the game.
Quick strike score for Duke
After the second-half kickoff, Duke scored on its first play from scrimmage on an 80-yard pass from Gunnar Holmberg to Jalon Calhoun to slice the Tar Heels lead to 24-7.
Holmberg’s pass landed in Calhoun’s hands the Duke 32 as he broke free across the middle. He worked his way to the right sideline and then cut back to the left at the UNC 41 before dragging two tacklers into the end zone for the score.
UNC in control at halftime
Sam Howell’s two touchdown passes and Trey Morrison’s fumble return for a touchdown have the Tar Heels leading Duke, 24-0 at halftime.
Howell’s 75-yard to Ty Chandler got the scoring started. Morrison’s 63-yard return of a Duke quarterback Gunnar Holmberg’s fumble doubled UNC’s lead to 14-0. Howell added a 2-yard scoring toss to Kamari Morales.
Duke’s offense had the ball in UNC territory on four of its eight possessions but never ran a play in the red zone.
While running back Mataeo Durant was his usually productive self with 94 yards on 12 carries in the first half, Holmberg has thrown for just 62 yards while completing 10 of 16 passes. Duke is 1 of 10 on third downs.
Howell threw for 187 yards in the first half, completing 11 of 21 passes.
Tar Heels tack on FG
Grayson Atkins booted a 28-yard field goal with 1:24 left in the half giving UNC at 24-0 lead.
Howell nets UNC another TD
Sam Howell culminated a 67-yard touchdown drive with a 2-yard pass to Kamari Morales to give the Tar Heels a 21-0 lead with 6:03 left in the second quarter.
Earlier in the drive, Howell completed a 12-yard pass to Ty Chandler on a third-and-7 play from the Duke 36. Chandler broke free on a delayed draw on the next play to gain 18 yards to the Duke 34.
Howell scrambled 32 yards to the Duke 2 from there. Duke safety Lummie Young had a chance to stop Howell near the 20 but the UNC quarterback eluded him.
UNC defense adds to Heels lead
Duke moved into UNC territory for its third consecutive drive but not only once again failed to get points, but saw the Heels convert a turnover into a 63-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown.
On a third-and-8 play from the UNC 40, Holmberg dropped back to pass. But UNC defensive lineman Kevin Hester beat Duke guard Jacob Monk to knock ball from Holmberg’s hand as he threw. Holmberg pushed the ball forward to the UNC 37, but the fumble was recovered by UNC’s Trey Morrison, who returned it 63 yards for touchdown. Replay confirmed fumble not a batted pass and the Heels took a 14-0 lead.
Heels break on top
Duke bottled up UNC’s offense on the Tar Heels first possession, but Sam Howell found a seam for a big play late in the first quarter.
On a third-and-7 play from the UNC 25, Howell found running back Ty Chandler open on what became a 75-yard touchdown play to give the Tar Heels a 7-0 lead with seven seconds left in the first quarter.
Chandler found an open spot near the UNC 40 behind Duke linebacker Dorian Mausi. Howell get him in stride and Chandler, aided by wide receiver Josh Down’s block on Duke safety Da’Quan Johnson, broke free down the right sideline. Duke’s Jalen Alexander dived and hit Chandler’s feet at the Duke 20, but Chandler kept his balance to reach the end zone.
Lineup changes
Duke will be will have a new starting center for Saturday’s game as Jack Wohlabaugh has not practiced this week. Redshirt freshman Addison Penn will get the start. Wohlabaugh is available to play.
On defense, Jaylen Stinston and Lummie Young start at safety along with Nate Thompson. Jalen Alexander and J’Marick Woods, who have also started this season, are available in reserve roles.
UNC will be without reserve running back Caleb Hood and cornerback Storm Duck. Neither will play Saturday due to injury.
This story was originally published October 2, 2021 at 12:08 PM with the headline "Duke-UNC live updates: Tar Heels finish off Duke."