2023-12-28 02:06:13
North Carolina came up empty, however, following Harrell overthrew redshirt first-year tight end Deems May on a crossing route. May deflected the out-of-reach ball into the air where a West Virginia defensive back collected the interception in his own end zone.
It wasn’t until the start of the second quarter that the Tar Heels got onto the scoreboard. Graduate jack Amari Gainer knocked the ball loose from West Virginia running back DJ Oliver and UNC took over possession in its own half. The forced fumble eventually led to a chip shot field goal for junior kicker Noah Burnette.
With under two minutes before the halftime break, Mountaineer Beanie Bishop Jr. cribbed a 78-yard punt return to place West Virginia ahead 14-3.
In response, Harell drove UNC’s offense 75 yards down the field – culminating in a passing touchdown to junior wide receiver J.J. Jones.
North Carolina trailed 10-17 at the half, following a made field goal by West Virginia.
UNC failed to score on any of its drives in the third quarter – the first of which ended with Harrell’s second interception of the night. The defense held the Mountaineers to merely a field goal, marking the third quarter as the only frame where West Virginia did not score a touchdown.
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Heading into the final 15 minutes of play, the Tar Heels trailed 20-10.
The 10-point deficit grew to 17 a few minutes later, as West Virginia first-year running back Jaheim White galloped his way across the goalline to put the Mountaineers ahead 27-10.
West Virginia went on to shut out North Carolina’s offense in the second half, eliminating the ability for UNC to mount any comeback in the fourth quarter.
With a defeat in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, North Carolina concludes its season in Charlotte – losing its final three games of the year following a 6-0 start.
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