As WVU approaches its first appearance in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl against North Carolina, history is on track to repeat itself.
Before the Duke’s sponsorship, West Virginia played twice in this 22-year-old bowl. In the first Continental Tire Bowl in 2002, West Virginia fell to Virginia 48-22, and in 2008’s Meineke Car Care Bowl, the Mountaineers faced off against none other than North Carolina.
WVU’s 31-30 win in that game was the second of two matchups between the Mountaineers and Tar Heels in history. The game featured outstanding performances from stars on both sides, namely WVU senior quarterback Pat White and junior receiver Hakeem Nicks for UNC.
For West Virginia, White’s 26/32 completion rate for 332 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception was the perfect end to the star’s postseason career, which saw WVU’s only four-year bowl winning streak. Nicks more than doubled the production of any receiver in the game, with 217 yards and three touchdowns in eight receptions.
Each player scored two touchdowns in the first quarter, with Nicks catching a 73-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7 and a 66-yard touchdown to tie the game at 14. White’s touchdowns both put the Mountaineers up by one touchdown at the time.
Nicks’ final touchdown in the second quarter did give UNC a 23-21 lead, as the Tar Heels scored a two-point safety to begin the period, but White’s third touchdown, a 20-yard pass to Alric Arnett, solidified WVU in history as the game’s victor.
The touchdown brought the only points of the fourth quarter. WVU and UNC each had a possession leading to a punt after the touchdown, and WVU secured the victory in UNC’s final possession with a Pat Lazear interception, making for T.J. Yates’ only turnover thrown in the game.
Both White and Nicks turned pro the following season. Another 2009 draft pick, West Virginia kicker Pat McAfee, also played in the Car Care Bowl victory.
NFL prospects do exist on both sides of this season’s Duke’s Mayo matchup, but some will not feature in the postseason game.
North Carolina’s sophomore quarterback Drake Mayne declared for the draft and will not play in Charlotte on Wednesday. For WVU, All-American center Zach Frazier will be sidelined due to injury, keeping another star out of the postseason.
In total, UNC will be out seven starters at the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. How this will alter the team’s success is to be seen, but WVU is given the 6.5-point favorites by SI Sportsbook. The Duke’s Mayo Bowl kicks off Wednesday in Charlotte at 5:30 p.m.
