University of North Carolina Athletics
Carolina Football History Book
July 2, 1999 | Football
July 2, 1999
Carolina 32 - Texas Tech 28
December 30, 1972
El Paso, Texas
Attendance: 31,312
Carolina capped an 11-1 season in the 1972 Sun Bowl by defeating Texas Tech, 32-28. Quarterback Nick Vidnovic brought the Tar Heels from behind with a late scoring drive which he capped by tossing a 13-yard touchdown pass to wingback Ted Leverenz.
That play, with a minute to go in the game, gave UNC a 30-28 lead. Carolina added two points moments later as Ronnie Robinson sacked quarterback Joe Barnes in the end zone.
The Tar Heels led 9-0 in the second quarter on a field goal by Ellis Alexander and touchdown run by Dick Oliver. The Red Raiders rallied, however, for the next 21 points and a 21-9 lead. Vidnovic hit Leverenz for a 62-yard touchdown and Billy Hite carried it in from three yards to reestablish a 24-21 Carolina lead. Tech gained the advantage, 28-24, with 7:41 to play in the game.
Vidnovic completed 14 of 26 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns. Ike Oglesby rushed for 71 yards and Sammy Johnson added 52.
The Red Raiders had a touchdown called back in the second quarter. All-America guard Donald Rives ran a blocked punt back for an apparent score, but Tech was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct and the points were nullified.
Carolina 3 6 7 16 - 32 Texas Tech 0 7 14 7 - 28 NC - Alexander 32 FG NC - Oliver 22 run (kick failed) TT - Tillman 15 pass from Barnes (Grimes kick) TT - Smith 65 run (Grimes kick) TT - Smith 46 run (Grimes kick) NC - Leverenz 62 pass from Vidnovic (Alexander kick) NC - Hite 3 run (Leverenz pass from Vidnovic) TT - Smith 5 run (Grimes kick) NC - Leverenz 12 pass from Vidnovic (kick failed) NC - Safety (Barnes tackled in end zone)UNC TT First Downs 24 13 Russhes-Yardage 60-238 38-293 Passing Yardage 215 94 Passes 14-26-1 9-16-1 Total Offense 453 387 Return Yardage 18 105 Punts-Average 9-38.8 6-25.8 Fumbles-Lost 3-0 3-2 Penalties-Yardage 7-55 4-39
Rushing Carolina: Oglesby 16-71, Johnson 13-52, Oliver 6-45, Kirkpatrick 6-27, Hite 5-20, Vidnovic 10-13, Leverenz 2-8, Jerome 1-3, Kupec 1-(-1). Texas Tech: Smith 14-172, Hoskins 13-60, arnes 7-48, Mosley 4-13.
Passing (Comp-Att-Int-Yds) Carolina: Vidnovic 14-26-1-215. Texas Tech: Barnes 9-16-0-94.
Receiving Carolina: Leverenz 5-95, Bethea 3-34, Norton 2-42, Jerome 2-20,Waddell 1-15, Taylor 1-9. Texas Tech: Samford 3-34, Tillman 2-31, Jobe 2-12, Jones 1-12, Mosley 1-5.
