Live updates: UNC vs Oregon in Holiday Bowl in San Diego. Ducks win 28-27 on late score.
Live updates have concluded for this event. For a full game recap and analysis, click here.
North Carolina will try to stop its three game losing streak as the Tar Heels face Oregon in the Holiday Bowl at Petco Park in San Diego. The home of Major League Baseball’s San Diego Padres was converted to a football field for this event.
News & Observer UNC beat writer C.L. Brown and columnist Luke DeCock are at Petco Park to chronicle the action.
Check here for live updates.
Cota TD rec: Oregon 28, UNC 21. 4Q
Chase Cota caught a 6-yard touchdown on fourth down with 19 seconds left to give Oregon the lead..
Burnette FG: UNC 27, Oregon 21. 4Q.
Noah Burnette made a 44-yard field goal with 2:34 left in the game. It capped off an 11-play drive that used 4:22 of clock.
Franklin TD rec: Oregon 21, UNC 24. 4Q
The Ducks had a touchdown called back due to an ineligible player downfield. But they came right back with a 6-yard touchdown reception by Troy Franklin with 6:58 left in the game.
Burnette FG: UNC 24, Oregon 14. 4Q.
Noah Burnette made a 19-yard field goal to give the Heels a two-possession lead with 9:13 remaining in the game.
Paysour TD rec: UNC 21, Oregon 14. 2Q
Drake Maye needed just one play to connect with Kobe Paysour for a 51-yard touchdown to give the Heels their first lead of the game. It marked Maye’s third touchdown pass, which tied the program’s record for a bowl game.
Echols interception
With Oregon driving to the UNC 16, Power Echols pulled off an incredible interception. the ball was thrown a bit behind intended receiver Terrance Ferguson. It then ricochet off linebacker Cedric Gray’s calf before being kicked into the air by Echols, who then caught it and returned it 40 yards before being knocked out of bounds.
Nesbit TD rec: UNC 14, Oregon 14. 2Q
Carolina used a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to tie the game. The key play on the drive was a 24-yard scramble by Drake Maye. Tight end Bryson Nesbit capped off the drive with a 14-yard scoring reception.
Irving TD run: Oregon 14, UNC 7. 2Q.
Running back Bucky Irving popped a 66-yard touchdown run to put the Ducks back in front.
Burnette missed FG
Carolina marched to the Oregon 17 and also had a sack on first down sabotage the drive. Noah Burnette, like the Ducks kicker before him, missed a 35-yard field goal attempt slightly to the right. Both kicks came on the end of the field that is around the pitchers mound for baseball. Petco Park staff have been constantly working between snaps to add dirt to the turf to keep it from being so slippery.
Lewis missed FG
Oregon had a drive stall at the UNC 36, thanks in part to Kaimon Rucker recording just the fifth sack against the Ducks all season. Camden Lewis then missed a 42-yard field goal attempt slightly wide right.
Greene TD rec: UNC 7, Oregon 7. 1Q
The Heels took advantage of a 56-yard kickoff return by George Pettaway and tied the game on a Drake Maye pass to freshman Antoine Greene Jr.
Irving TD run: Oregon 7, UNC 0. 1Q
The Ducks took their first possession for a touchdown on a 54-yard drive. The key play was running back Bucky Irving’s 23-yard run that he broke after a missed tackle by freshman cornerback Marcus Allen. Irving capped off the drive with a 2-yard score.
Injury update
The Heels are already playing without leading receiver Josh Downs, who opted to begin preparing for the NFL draft. Their best deep threat and second leading receiver Antoine Green has a lower body injury and is only available for use in ‘emergency situations.’ Carolina did play two games (Appalachian State, Georgia State) without both Downs and Green in the lineup.
