University of North Carolina Athletics
Carolina Football History Book
July 2, 1999 | Football
July 2, 1999
Mississippi St. 26 - Carolina 24
December 28, 1974
El Paso, Texas
Attendance: 30,151
Despite mounting 402 yards in total offense, the Tar Heels dropped a 26-24 decision to Mississippi State in a record-setting Sun Bowl.
Terry Vitrano's two-yard touchdown with 3:41 remaining was the game-winner. That capped a 16-play, 80-yard drive which lasted nearly seven minutes.
Carolina had taken a 24-20 lead with 10:26 to play on an Ellis Alexander field goal.
The Bulldogs totaled a Sun Bowl record 499 yards in total offense 455 of those yards came on the ground via the veer offense. Walter Packer rushed for 189 yards, Vitrano added 164 and quarterback Rockey Felker gained another 69.
The Tar Heels also got big ground gains from Mike Voight and James Betterson. Voight picked up 90 yards on 19 carries and Betterson chipped in with 84 on 17 rushes. But Voight was stopped a yard shy of a first down on Carolina's last offensive play of the game. Chris Kupec, who led the nation in pass completion percentage, connected with Jimmy Jerome for 29 yards and a touchdown.
Carolina 7 0 14 3 - 24 Miss. State 7 3 10 6 - 26MS - Packer 1 run (Nichels kick) NC - Betterson 1 run (Alexander kick) MS - Nichels 24 FG NC - Betterson 6 run (Alexander kick) MS - Packer 16 run (Nichels kick) NC - Jerome 29 pass from Kupec (Alexander kick) MS - Nichels 32 FG NC - Alexander 26 FG MS - Vitrano 2 run (kick failed) UNC MS First Downs 22 25 Rushes-Yardage 54-277 68-455 Passing Yardage 125 44 Passes 5-15-1 3-8-0 Total Offense 402 499 Return Yardage 3 10 Punts-Average 4-38.3 3-35.0 Fumbles-Lost 3-0 1-1 Penalties-Yardage 2-30 5-45
Rushing North Carolina: Voight 17-90, Betterson 19-84, Oliver 9-57, Lamens 4-32, Jerome 4-14, Kupec 1-(-10). Mississippi State: Packer 24-183, Vitrano 20-164, Felker 14-69, Johnson 7-22, Smith 3-17.
Passing (Comp-Att-Int-Yds) North Carolina: Kupec 5-15-1-125. Mississippi State: Felker 2-7-0-33, Johnson 1-1-0-11.
Receiving North Carolina: Norton 2-61, Jerome 2-42, Waddell 1-22. Mississippi State: Lewis 2-27, Barkum 1-17.
