23
Nov,2025
The Duke Blue Devils didn’t just win a game—they stole a legacy. With 2:20 left in a tie game and the Kenan Stadium crowd holding its breath, head coach Manny Diaz called a fake field goal. No one saw it coming. Not the fans, not the North Carolina Tar Heels, not even the broadcasters. The snap went to kicker Todd Pelino, who tucked the ball and sprinted 26 yards down the left sideline. The play set up a one-yard plunge by running back Anderson Castle, and a two-point conversion sealed a 32-25 victory on November 22, 2025. It wasn’t just a win. It was the the Victory Bell—and Duke’s first bowl eligibility since 2021.
A Rivalry That Still Burns
This wasn’t just another ACC game. It was the 117th meeting between Duke and North Carolina, a rivalry older than most of the fans in the stands. The Victory Bell, awarded since 1948, has changed hands 53 times. This year, it stayed in Durham. The game was North Carolina’s home finale and Senior Day, and Kenan Stadium was officially sold out—over 50,000 fans, many wearing Carolina blue, expecting a celebration. Instead, they got heartbreak. The Tar Heels entered 4-6, still clinging to hope for a bowl bid. Duke, at 5-5, needed this win to reach six victories. They didn’t just need it—they deserved it.
The Play That Changed Everything
With 2:20 left, Duke trailed 25-24. Fourth-and-1 at the Carolina 35-yard line. The crowd expected a field goal attempt. The defense braced for it. Instead, the snap went to Pelino, a backup quarterback turned kicker who’d thrown a touchdown pass in high school. He turned upfield, stiff-armed a defender, and dove just past the first-down marker. The stadium went silent. Then, as Castle barreled into the end zone two plays later, the roar returned—but it was all Duke. The two-point conversion, a quick slant to wideout Jalen Cropper, made it 32-25. Carolina’s final drive stalled at their own 42. No miracles. No comeback. Just a perfectly executed trick play that will be replayed for decades.
How They Got There
Duke’s path to this moment was anything but smooth. They lost at UConn 37-34 on November 8, then got blown out by Virginia 34-17 a week later. Their win at Clemson on November 1—a 46-45 thriller—felt like a fluke. But this team refused to quit. Quarterback Gio Lopez threw for 217 yards and two touchdowns, while running back DaVon Goss added 98 rushing yards and a score. Carolina’s offense, led by freshman quarterback McGill, moved the ball early but struggled in the red zone, settling for three field goals. Their defense, once among the ACC’s best, gave up 428 yards and couldn’t stop the trick play when it mattered most.
What This Means for Both Programs
For Duke, this win isn’t just about bowl eligibility—it’s a statement. The Blue Devils haven’t played in a postseason game since 2021. Now, with a 6-5 record, they’re in the conversation for the Duke’s first bowl since 2021. Their next game: hosting Wake Forest on November 29. A win there could mean a New Year’s Six bid, or at least a berth in the Duke’s first bowl since 2021. For Carolina, the loss is a dagger. They were 4-1 at home this season. They beat Stanford. They beat Syracuse. But losing to Duke on Senior Day? That’s the kind of game that lingers. Coach Carlos Basham Jr. called it “a tough pill to swallow,” adding, “We had chances. We just didn’t make the plays when it counted.”
Behind the Scenes: A Game Day Like No Other
Pre-game, the Bowles Lot buzzed with chants and tailgates. Inside Carolina Live! aired from the same lot, hosts Tommy Ashley and Joey Powell debating whether Diaz would go for it on fourth down. Meanwhile, Duke’s sideline was quiet, focused. Assistant coach Anderson Castle later said they’d practiced the fake field goal twice that week—just in case. “We knew it was a long shot,” he said. “But when you’re down by one, you don’t play for a tie.” The ACC Network broadcast drew 1.2 million viewers, the highest for a non-championship ACC game this season. The condensed video, posted the next day, already has over 300,000 views.
What’s Next?
Duke now turns to Wake Forest—a team they beat 34-28 last year. If they win, they’ll likely head to the Duke’s first bowl since 2021. Carolina, meanwhile, heads to Raleigh to face NC State. A loss there ends their season 4-7. No bowl. No momentum. Just questions. Can Basham rebuild? Can McGill develop? Can Carolina ever win this game again?
Historical Context: The Bell’s Legacy
The Victory Bell was originally a locomotive bell from the old Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, donated by Duke alumni in 1948. It’s been rung by the winning team ever since. Duke led the series 31-29-4 before Saturday. Now, they lead 32-29-4. The last time Duke won in Chapel Hill? 2019. The last time they won on Senior Day? Never. Until now.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the fake field goal play work?
With 2:20 left and trailing 25-24, Duke lined up for a 52-yard field goal attempt. Instead of the holder taking the snap, kicker Todd Pelino—normally a placekicker—received it and ran 26 yards for a first down. The play was practiced twice that week and caught Carolina’s defense completely off guard, setting up Anderson Castle’s game-winning touchdown.
Why was this game so important for Duke’s season?
Duke entered the game at 5-5 and needed one win to become bowl-eligible for the first time since 2021. A loss would have ended their postseason hopes. The win not only secured a 6-5 record but also gave the program its first win over North Carolina since 2019 and its first Senior Day victory in Chapel Hill in program history.
What impact does this loss have on North Carolina’s future?
The loss drops Carolina to 4-6, eliminating any remaining bowl hopes. It’s their fourth loss in five games, raising questions about coach Carlos Basham Jr.’s ability to turn the program around. With a young quarterback in McGill and a defense that struggled late, the team now faces a rebuilding phase heading into 2026.
Who were the key players in the game?
Duke’s Gio Lopez threw for 217 yards and two touchdowns, while DaVon Goss rushed for 98 yards. Anderson Castle’s game-winning touchdown and the two-point conversion were pivotal. For Carolina, freshman QB McGill threw for 203 yards but had two interceptions. Linebacker Hall led the defense with 11 tackles, but couldn’t stop the trick play.
Is the Victory Bell trophy real, and how is it awarded?
Yes, the Victory Bell is an actual 19th-century locomotive bell donated by Duke alumni in 1948. It’s awarded to the winner of the annual Duke-North Carolina football game. The winning team rings the bell after the game and keeps it until the next matchup. The rivalry is one of the oldest in the ACC and among the most intense in college football.
What’s the history of Duke winning in Chapel Hill?
Duke had not won in Chapel Hill since 2019. Before Saturday’s game, they’d lost seven straight in the series at Kenan Stadium. This was also the first time Duke had ever won on Senior Day in Chapel Hill—a historic milestone. The 32-25 victory broke a long-standing trend of Tar Heel dominance at home.
