University of North Carolina Athletics
Former Tar Heel QB Nick Vidnovic Passes Away
August 17, 2007 | Football
Aug. 17, 2007
Former North Carolina quarterback Nick Vidnovic passed away on Thursday after a long battle with cancer. A wake for Vidnovic will be held at Murphy's funeral home, 1102 W Broad Street, Falls Church, Virginia, on Saturday, August 18, 2007, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Nick's name to Inova Fairfax Hospital, Life With Cancer Ward, c/o Pam Maroulis, Director of Development Life With Cancer, 2832 Juniper St., Ste. 203 Fairfax, VA 22031.
Vidnovic was at the controls in UNC's 11-1 season in 1972. He led the ACC in touchdown passes that fall with 10 and scored six times himself. In one of the best games of the series, Vidnovic had two touchdown passes in a heartstopping 34-33 triumph over NC State.
He led a stirring comeback in the 1972 Sun Bowl win over Texas Tech, completing 14 of 26 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns. He tossed a 62-yard scoring pass to Ted Leverenz and a 12-yarder to the same player with only 1:02 remaining. The latter pass accounted for the winning points in a 32-28 win. He played the last three quarters with a broken wrist.
For his career, he was 119 of 237 for 1,692 yards and 17 touchdowns.
