University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Duke
Carolina Wins, 24-21, Over Duke
November 19, 2005 | Football
Nov. 19, 2005
Final Stats | Quotes | Notes | Photo Galleries
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) - Ronnie McGill capped his best game of the season with a 3-yard touchdown in the final 2 minutes, helping North Carolina rally past Duke 24-21 Saturday to keep the Blue Devils winless against Division I-A opponents.
The Tar Heels (5-5, 4-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) retained the Victory Bell for the 15th time in 16 seasons, and now they need to win at No. 7 Virginia Tech next week to become bowl eligible for the second straight season. McGill finished with 146 yards on the ground, but none were more important than the final 3.
With about 5 minutes left, the Blue Devils (1-10, 0-8) took the lead for the first time on Ronnie Drummer's 24-yard scoring run. North Carolina took over on its 32-yard line, and a roughing-the-passer penalty on Duke linebacker Alex Williams helped get the drive started.
Matt Baker then connected with Jesse Holley for what appeared to be a 40-yard touchdown two plays later, but Holley was called for pass interference after he pushed off against cornerback John Talley. After McGill got a first down on fourth-and-1, Baker scrambled 25 yards down to the 11.
An 8-yard pass to tight end Jon Hamlett set up McGill's TD, and the victory was secured when North Carolina's Tommy Richardson intercepted a pass from Mike Schneider with 1:08 left.
