BOSTON - In what proved to be the final game of a disappointing 2024 campaign, North Carolina's offensive struggles continued at historic Fenway Park, falling 27-14 to UConn in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl on a chilly December morning. The loss marked the Tar Heels' seventh defeat of the season, concluding their year with a 6-7 record before embarking on a transformative offseason.

The game highlighted the offensive challenges that plagued North Carolina in recent weeks, as the Tar Heels managed just 206 total yards and failed to convert any of their nine third-down attempts. With their quarterback depth tested, the Tar Heels turned to third-string signal-caller Michael Merdinger for much of the contest. Merdinger completed 9 of 12 passes for 86 yards but was sacked four times behind an overwhelmed offensive line.

The bright spot for the Tar Heels came early when Chris Culliver electrified the Fenway crowd with a 95-yard kickoff return touchdown in the first quarter. The spectacular return momentarily cut UConn's lead to 10-7 and provided a glimpse of explosiveness on an otherwise challenging day for North Carolina.

Running back Caleb Hood provided one of the few offensive highlights, rushing for 78 yards on 11 carries and showing flashes of the potential he brough to Chapel Hill four years ago. Hood also connected on his only pass attempt of the day, finding tight end John Copenhaver for a 17-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Defensively, senior linebacker Caleb LaVallee led the Tar Heels with nine tackles, including one for loss, in his final collegiate game. Kaleb Cost and Will Hardy each added seven tackles, but North Carolina's defense spent over 35 minutes on the field as UConn controlled the tempo with a methodical ground attack that accumulated 210 rushing yards.

The game's pivotal sequence came in the second quarter when UConn mounted consecutive scoring drives of 79 and 56 yards, extending their lead to 24-7 by halftime. North Carolina's defense, which had been stout early, began showing signs of fatigue as UConn's offensive line created consistent running lanes.

The Tar Heels showed brief signs of life in the fourth quarter when Hood's touchdown pass to Copenhaver capped a 96-yard drive - their longest of the day. However, UConn's ball control offense prevented any serious comeback attempt, as the Huskies effectively managed the clock in the closing minutes.

The loss marked North Carolina's third consecutive bowl defeat, but the program's trajectory is set to change dramatically with the stunning hire of NFL coaching legend Bill Belichick to replace the departed Mack Brown. Belichick, whose defensive expertise and six Super Bowl championships with the New England Patriots transformed that franchise, will now look to rebuild a North Carolina program that showed clear needs for improvement in 2024.

For Belichick, the Fenway Bowl provided a clear view of the challenges ahead. The quarterback position will require immediate attention, as the Tar Heels' rotating cast of signal-callers produced limited success. The offense's inability to sustain drives - evidenced by six three-and-outs in the bowl game - put tremendous pressure on their defense throughout the season.

North Carolina's defense showed some encouraging signs despite the defeat. The unit forced a turnover and recorded five tackles for loss, including sacks by Beau Atkinson and Cade Law. However, UConn's success on third down (8-of-16) allowed the Huskies to sustain drives and wear down the Tar Heels' defensive front.

As Belichick prepares to bring his defensive mindset and proven track record to Chapel Hill, the Fenway Bowl served as both an ending and a beginning - the epilogue of the Brown era and a glimpse of the areas Belichick will need to address as he takes over one of college football's most intriguing programs for 2025.

CHARLOTTE – The North Carolina Tar Heels fell to the South Carolina Gamecocks, 38-21, in the Duke's Mayo Bowl on Thursday afternoon in Bank of America Stadium.

Dakereon Joyner was a perfect 9 of 9 for 160 yards and a touchdown for South Carolina. The MVP of the game also added 64 yards on the ground. Jaheim Bell got the party started for the Gamecocks with two 60+ yard touchdowns in the first quarter. 

Sam Howell was 12 of 20 on the day for 205 yards and one touchdown. British Brooks led the Tar Heels on the ground with 72 yards and a score. Cedric Gray paced the Tar Heel defense with thirteen tackles and a sack. Cam'Ron Kelly and Power Echols also had double-digit tackles for UNC on the afternoon.

South Carolina improves its win total by five with the win in today's bowl. With the loss, North Carolina falls to 6-7 on the season. The Tar Heels will open the 2022 season against Florida A&M. 

CONWAY, SC — A flag for a penalty well behind the play wiped out Marcus Williams Jr.’s 79-yard touchdown run in the third quarter of App State’s bowl matchup with North Texas.

No worries. Camerun Peoples rushed for a 76-yard gain on the very next snap, setting up his fourth of five touchdown runs during a 56-28 victory for the Mountaineers in the inaugural Myrtle Beach Bowl on Monday.

“We found a play that worked,” Williams Jr. said.

“I got in and said, ‘OK, let’s run that play Marcus ran,’ ” Peoples said with a laugh. “That looked good.”

The Mountaineers found a lot of plays that worked and looked good in an ESPN appearance to begin the 2020 bowl schedule.

App State capped a 9-3 season under first-year head coach Shawn Clark and improved its all-time bowl record to an FBS-best 6-0, with each of those wins coming in the program’s first six bowl-eligible years, as Peoples set a school and NCAA bowl record with 319 rushing yards on 23 attempts.

“You play the game to win championships,” Clark said. “A lot of weight off our shoulders to win our sixth bowl game in a row, and that’s something we take a lot of pride in Boone and our program. Our guys are resilient, and I told our guys we’d be remembered for how we finished this season. We finished it the right way against a very good opponent.”

Fifth-year seniors such as Zac Thomas and Shemar-Jean Charles have helped App State go 52-13 since the start of the 2016 season. For fourth-year seniors like Noah Hannon and Thomas Hennigan, who have started since Day 1 as true freshmen, they’ve been part of 42 wins in 52 games.

With Williams Jr. adding 101 yards and his own long touchdown that counted Monday, App State amassed 502 rushing yards as a team behind a line with Hannon, Ryan Neuzil, Baer Hunter, Cooper Hodges, and Anderson Hardy blocking. Peoples had three runs of at least 62 yards in the win.

The previous NCAA single-game bowl record belonged to Georgia Tech's P.J. Daniels, who rushed for 307 yards against Tulsa in the 2003 Humanitarian Bowl. Peoples also broke the school record of 313 yards from Armanti Edwards in a 2007 FCS semifinal win against Richmond while tying the school record for rushing touchdowns in a game, as John Settle posted five against Davidson in 1986.

Peoples also tied six other players, including Barry Sanders, as the only ones to have scored five rushing touchdowns in a bowl game. He arrived at Brooks Stadium needing 193 yards to give App State a 1,000-yard rusher for the ninth straight year — a streak that likely will be the nation’s longest active one at season’s end.

“This is probably one of the most memorable football games I’ve ever played,” Peoples said. “I didn’t realize what I was doing until the fourth quarter.”

The Mountaineers produced 638 yards of total offense with Henry Pearson catching touchdown passes from receiver Malik Williams and Thomas, who improved to 32-6 as a starter.

Defensively, App State benefited from sacks by D’Marco Jackson, Hansky Paillant, and Nick Hampton, and Steven Jones returned an interception 63 yards to set up Peoples’ final touchdown. Kaiden Smith recorded a team-high 13 tackles, followed by Trey Cobb and Jackson with 12 apiece and Brendan Harrington with 11.

App State’s offensive explosion included touchdown runs of 70 yards by Williams Jr. and 64 yards by Peoples on the Mountaineers’ last two offensive snaps of the first half.

“They did very well in getting to the second level and giving out one-on-ones with the safeties,” Williams Jr. said of the line. “In the running back room, any time we have a one-on-one, we expect to win it.”

Williams, a senior receiver and former high school quarterback, threw the fourth trick-play touchdown pass of his career — he had two in a 2018 bowl victory against Middle Tennessee — to give App State an early lead. After Thomas threw a backward pass to Williams along the left sideline, Pearson hauled in a 22-yard touchdown.

Peoples capped a 13-play, 90-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown to push App State’s lead to 14-0 later in the first quarter, and North Texas broke through with a 16-yard touchdown pass early in the second quarter before Pearson scored for the second time on an 11-yard touchdown pass from Thomas.

Immediately after North Texas missed a 47-yard field goal with App State leading 21-7, Williams Jr. sprinted through a big hole created by Pearson and Neuzil.

The Mean Green did answer with a 75-yard touchdown drive to cut its deficit to 28-14 with 27 seconds left before the break, and App State took over at its 36-yard line with 22 seconds remaining and three timeouts at its disposal. With Neuzil and Hardy blocking on the left side, Hunter and Hodges creating a cut-back lane on the right side and Hannon reaching the second level, Peoples broke free for what at the time was the longest run of his career — his two 63-yard runs include a touchdown in the 2018 bowl win.

“That’s the bread and butter of our offense, being able to run the football,” Clark said.

North Texas cut its deficit to 35-21 with 6:14 left in the third quarter, but App State pushed its lead back to 21 points on a 62-yard touchdown run by Peoples. He contributed touchdowns covering 1 and 11 yards in the first six minutes of the fourth quarter.

As the fourth quarter wound down, starters began giving way to backups, with senior Jacob Huesman replacing his classmate and housemate at quarterback to cheers from the partisan crowd of App State fans.

“When we got pulled out in the fourth quarter, it was really just soaking it in,” Jackson said. “You get kind of emotional just knowing, like when we have our meetings, this is the last time with this group, this coaching staff, because you never know who is going to change. It’s just special.”

Postgame Press Conference

Story Courtesy of App State Athletics Strategic Communications

Pirates To Face Gators at Legion Field On Jan. 3

Clemson and South Florida Accept Bids to 2010 Meineke Car Care Bowl

Will Face Each Other in Charlotte on New Year’s Eve

Charlotte, N.C. – The Clemson Tigers, representing the Atlantic Coast Conference, will face the South Florida Bulls from the Big East Conference in the 2010 Meineke Car Care Bowl, it was announced today by bowl officials. Clemson will be making their first appearance in the game, while South Florida returns for the second time, and first since 2005.

College football’s first bowl game to call the Carolinas home, the Meineke Car Care Bowl will take place on Friday, December 31st at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m. and the game will be televised on ESPN.

“We are tremendously excited to have Clemson University and the University of South Florida in the 2010 Meineke Car Care Bowl,” said Will Webb, Executive Director. “Both teams have played extremely hard this year with every game being very competitive. We feel that the Tigers and Bulls will be a very entertaining and compelling matchup on the field for everyone watching. We look forward to hosting everyone in Charlotte on New Year’s eve for this exciting game and all the surrounding events.”

Clemson finished the season with a 6-6 overall record (4-4 in the ACC, tied for third in the Atlantic Division. The Tigers defeated bowl-bound NC State, Maryland and Georgia Tech. Three of their four conference losses were by less than a touchdown. In addition, they lost to #1-ranked Auburn by just three points in overtime.

South Florida finished the regular season with a 7-5 record (3-4 in the Big East, tied for third place). Three of the Bulls four conference losses were by less than a touchdown, including a three-point loss to BCS-bound UConn. South Florida defeated bowl-eligible Louisville and in-state rival Miami.

Tickets for the Meineke Car Care Bowl are on sale now and only available through TicketMaster and the participating schools. Upper Level Seats begin at just $40. To purchase individual tickets, please visit any TicketMaster outlet in the southeast or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

To order from TicketMaster by phone, call 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the Carolina Panthers Box Office, located at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.

The first college bowl game to call the Carolinas home, the Meineke Car Care Bowl has averaged over 60,000 fans each year with three sellouts in its eight years. In addition, the game has reached over 22 million television households. In 2003, it was named one of the five-best start-ups in sports over the past five years by the Sports Business Journal, behind only the NFL Houston Texans and ESPN the Magazine.

For more information, please visit www.MeinekeCarCareBowl.com.

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Statement from Clemson Athletic Director Dr. Terry Don Phillips:

“We are delighted for the opportunity to play in the Meineke Car Care Bowl against South Florida. The great support our fans have shown through communication to the Meineke Car Care Bowl was very convincing and we appreciate the outstanding support of our fans. That strong support was significant in its decision. It is great exposure to play on New Year’s Eve and we are looking forward to playing a good, solid team in South Florida, who narrowly lost to Big East Champion Connecticut on Saturday.”

Statement from Clemson Head Football Coach Dabo Swinny:

“We are excited about playing South Florida in Charlotte in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. It’s a great situation for our fans. One of the main reasons we were selected for this bowl is because of our great fan support and the passion of our fans.

“We’ve never played in the Meineke Car Care Bowl, so we look forward to representing our school and conference during the week and on gameday. We haven’t won bowl games in back-to-back seasons since 1989-90, so hopefully we can accomplish that feat and end the season on a positive note.

“South Florida presents us with an outstanding matchup. Skip Holtz has done a great job in his first year as head coach of the Bulls. They beat Miami (FL), who beat us, so it will be a great matchup and we look forward to playing them in the bowl game.”

Statement from USF Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Doug Woolard:

“It's a great honor to be selected by the Meineke Car Care Bowl. Executive Director Will Webb, Charlotte Collegiate Football and the wonderful volunteers associated with the bowl have established a terrific reputation for hosting a game and event that is truly first class. We had the opportunity to experience their hospitality firsthand, when we made our inaugural bowl trip to Charlotte in 2005. Our fans had a wonderful time and there is no doubt they will be very excited to return.”

“Currently, our program is riding a wave of momentum behind first-year head coach Skip Holtz. I think people around the country recognize that and it was reflected in our selection by the Meineke Car Care Bowl. Coach Holtz has done a magnificent job with this football team and program in just a short time. He has provided outstanding leadership from day one and built a very competitive product on the field. I am so proud of our football team. They have shown tremendous character throughout the year and the young men and their outstanding coaching staff are very, very deserving of this opportunity.”

Statement from USF Head Football Coach Skip Holtz:

“I’m extremely excited for this coaching staff, these players and our fan base about having the opportunity to play in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. This group has worked extremely hard throughout the year, so a trip to Charlotte is the perfect way to finish off the season. I’ve been fortunate enough to have many great bowl experiences during my career and I hear that the Meineke Car Care Bowl is as good as any bowl in the country. It is a first-class operation and we’re really excited to have the opportunity to represent the BIG EAST conference. We’re looking forward to a great week and a great game in Charlotte.”