West Virginia defeated North Carolina 30-10 on Wednesday to become the 2023 Duke’s Mayo Bowl champions.
In the first, West Virginia would get off to a scorching start with their first offensive play being a 75-yard touchdown pass from Garrett Greene to Traylon Ray.
On North Carolina’s second drive, they were threatening, until redshirt freshman quarterback Conner Harrell threw an interception to Aubrey Burks in the end zone.
West Virginia would struggle to find the same success they had their first play, early.
With the first quarter coming to a close, WVU freshman running back DJ Oliver fumbled on his first and only carry of the first three quarters.
The Tar Heels first got on the board with a successful 28-yard field goal, midway through the second quarter.
17 points would be scored in the last 1:30 of the first half.
West Virginia’s consensus All-American Beanie Bishop, returned a punt for a 78-yard touchdown, filling in for the injured Preston Fox.
Then, Harrell would hit J.J. Jones on a 16-yard touchdown pass that was originally ruled incomplete.
With time expiring in the second quarter, Michael Hayes sent a 30-yarder through the uprights to put West Virginia up by a touchdown heading into the locker room.
The start of the third was fairly quiet besides an impressive one-handed interception by Tyrin Bradley.
Another Hayes FG at 2:40 in the third quarter made it a two-possession game.
West Virginia’s defense stayed consistent and caused UNC to stall, including multiple turnovers on downs.
Jahiem White added another Mountaineer touchdown early in the fourth, making the score 27-10.
In total control, West Virginia successfully pulled off a fake field goal with Leighton Bechdel taking it himself.
On that same drive, WVU scored the last points of the game with another Hayes FG.
West Virginia sacked Harrell seven times, constantly keeping him under pressure.
The Mountaineers had 379 total, 204 yards through the air and 175 yards on the ground.
Hudson Clement was very involved with five catches and 89 yards.
UNC had more first downs, was more effective on third down and committed fewer penalties, but were unable to find significant success against West Virginia’s defense.
West Virginia finishes their season 9-4 and has showed great promise for the future.
