Controversial catch, non-review sets up go-ahead TD for North Carolina, Duke responds with final-minute TD

In the final minutes of showdown for the Victory Bell between Duke and North Carolina, the Tar Heels were trailing, 29-26, and driving deep into Duke territory. Then controversy struck.

Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye dropped back and passed to his left, intending the throw for Bryson Nesbit around the five yard line. Nesbitt went up and got the ball, but Duke defensive back Chandler Rivers came out of the scrum with the ball.

After initially appearing to be an interception, the refs ruled on the field that the ball had been caught by Nesbit.

Would YOU have called this a catch or an interception. Call on the field was a catch for North Carolina. pic.twitter.com/IS4OD9o3yK

— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) November 12, 2023

Duke head coach Mike Elko was shown getting after one of the refs, clearly upset with the call. Likely further upsetting him was the fact it wasn’t reviewed.

And with the call standing, North Carolina was set up in prime territory to take the lead, which the Tar Heels did in short order. It all left Duke with less than two minutes to mount a comeback, trailing by four.

That was plenty of time for the Blue Devils, who pulled out a 30-yard touchdown pass on 4th and 7 with :41 left in the game, retaking the lead, 36-33, and silencing the hostile crowd.

LOFTIS TO MOORE!!! DUKE WITH THE STUNNER pic.twitter.com/BADLCnKaAb

— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) November 12, 2023

It was then Maye and the Tar Heels who had a chance to respond, and they did. But with just :41 seconds and a long way to go, all North Carolina could do was get into field goal range, sneaking one past the right upright to tie the game at 36, sending it into overtime.

North Carolina went on to win in overtime, sparking an emotional moment for Mack Brown

North Carolina withstood every single blow Duke threw its way on Saturday night and somehow came back with more. In the first half, second half, and either of the overtimes, the Tar Heels had answers whenever a question arose.

And following a 47-45 win in double overtime at home to secure the Victory Bell, head coach Mack Brown was emotional speaking about the win. He shared why with sideline reporter Taylor Tannenbaum.

Well great game. Tremendous fight by both teams. Nobody gave up. Nobody really lost. I’m so proud,” Brown said, his voice catching.

Tannenbaum asked about the source of Brown’s emotional release.

“Well, they’re about — you want your kids to fight. You want your kids to compete. You want your kids to feel good about themselves. And these kids did all that tonight. And this win will do so much for us,” Brown said.

And as fans stormed the field around him to celebrate the win, Brown reflected on what it means to beat North Carolina’s biggest rival.

“It’s the most important thing we do. If you’re going to be here, you’ve gotta beat Duke,” Brown said.