CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The North Carolina football team (6-7, 3-5 ACC) fell to the South Carolina Gamecocks (7-6, 3-5 SEC), 38-21, in the 2021 Duke's Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium on Thursday afternoon.
What happened?
After its defense forced a North Carolina punt on the opening drive, South Carolina started its drive from their own 7-yard line, but the poor field position was negated when Jaheim Bell dashed down the right sideline for a gain of 20 yards. Moments later, receiver Dakereon Joyner played quarterback and launched a deep bomb down the middle of the field to Bell, connecting for a 69-yard touchdown.
UNC’s subsequent three-and-out led to another South Carolina touchdown, with quarterback Zeb Noland finding Bell on a slant route, who ran 66 yards into the end zone. The Gamecocks successfully converted a two-point attempt, extending the lead to 15-0 within the first eight minutes of the game.
The North Carolina offense continued to sputter with another three-and-out. The Gamecocks marched down the field on an eight-play, 54-yard drive capped off by a 30-yard field goal from Parker White, augmenting the lead to 18-0.
North Carolina found some momentum in the second quarter, with senior running back British Brooks escaping for a 63-yard touchdown, the longest in the bowl game's history. UNC forced a punt, and Howell also started to find rhythm, finding sophomore receiver Josh Downs and Green for 34 and 23-yard gains. However, North Carolina settled for a 40-yard field goal from graduate kicker Grayson Atkins after Howell was sacked.
South Carolina responded with a quick six-play, 75-yard drive. UNC’s defense gave up another big play for a touchdown, but this time in the run game, when running back Juju McDowell tore down the sideline for a 35-yard touchdown, putting the Gamecocks up 25-10.
With 2:27 left in the half and South Carolina electing to send out their defense first, UNC took the field looking to score before halftime. Howell found first-year tight end Bryson Nesbit for gains of 15 and 14 yards, then lofted a 27-yard pass down the right sideline to Green, who made an incredible toe-tapping catch.
A few plays later, the Gamecocks forced a 4th and 1, which UNC initially intended to go for. However, a false start set them back five yards. With 44 seconds left in the half, the Tar Heels were forced to settle for a 36-yard field goal, cutting the lead to 25-13 at halftime.
