Live Game Thread: Duke vs North Carolina

Duke and North Carolina are still fighting for the postseason. The Blue Devils need one more win, while the Tar Heels need to win out.

Nov 8, 2025; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz on the field for warm up before the start of the game against the UConn Huskies at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | David Butler II-Imagn Images

Manny Diaz and Bill Belichick will square off for the first time in the 112th renewal of the Tobacco Road rivalry. Both teams are coming off disappointing losses, and a rivalry matchup should be the perfect thing to reignite both programs to finish the season.

Duke won the Victory Bell last season with a one-point victory over the Tar Heels in Durham; both sides look very different now. UNC has a Super Bowl champion at the helm and a bunch of transfers that have not fared well.

Meanwhile, Duke brought in plenty of transfers that have made a difference, most notably quarterback Darian Mensah, who has become one of the best quarterbacks in the country.

Nov 8, 2025; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Darian Mensah (10) warms up before the start of the game against the UConn Huskies at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | David Butler II-Imagn Images

Mensah has thrown for 3,007 yards, 25 touchdowns and four interceptions this season, which places him among the best in the sport. Duke has averaged 33.4 points per game under his leadership.

Unfortunately, the Blue Devils are 5-5 because their defense has been incapable of making a stop lately, costing the team close games and resulting in blowouts elsewhere.

Nov 15, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarter back Darian Mensah (10) hands the ball to Duke Blue Devils running back Nate Sheppard (20) against the Virginia Cavaliers during the first quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images | Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

The Blue Devils should have a good chance to keep the Victory Bell in Durham, despite the program's past struggles in Chapel Hill.

A quick preview of the Tar Heels and live updates from the game can be found below. To read more about what to watch for Duke in this game, click here.

North Carolina Preview

Oct 25, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick with the team before the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels have struggled mightily this season to move the ball. UNC averages just 18.7 points per game (16th in ACC) and 290 yards of total offense per game (last in ACC).

Quarterback Gio Lopez has not been good in his first season with the Tar Heels, throwing for 1,425 yards with eight touchdowns and five interceptions. He often looks to get rid of the ball quickly and short, but he has been sacked 14 times this season and can be pushed into mistakes.

Oct 31, 2025; Syracuse, New York, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Gio Lopez (7) warms up before a game against the Syracuse Orange at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images | Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Demon June hasn't received a huge workload, but he is the only viable source of a running game for UNC. June has taken 76 carries for 452 yards and two touchdowns. Jordan Shipp has been a decent top option as a receiver this season, making 44 catches for 498 yards and four touchdowns.

Sep 1, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Jordan Shipp (1) signals firts down in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

North Carolina's struggles can be traced to poor positioning on third downs. On early downs, the Tar Heels are susceptible to negative plays or little running room, creating longer third downs. North Carolina has converted just 32.8% of its third downs this season, the worst in the ACC.

On defense, the Tar Heels aren't bad. They are middle-of-the-pack in most categories within the ACC, allowing 22 points per game (7th), 114.6 rushing yards per game (7th) and 215.9 passing yards per game (11th).

Sep 13, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive lineman Melkart Abou-Jaoude (9 ) celebrates with defensive lineman Smith Vilbert (8) after making a sack in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Steve Belichick is still aggressive with his blitzes and disguises in zone coverage, which have put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The Tar Heels are tied for second in the ACC with 28 sacks. Defensive end Melkart Abou-Jaoude leads the conference with 10 sacks this season.

Duke's offense has stumbled lately, but given North Carolina's inability to move the ball, this is the right week for the Blue Devils to bounce back and find a win.

Live Updates

Nov 8, 2025; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz on the field before the start of the game against the UConn Huskies at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | David Butler II-Imagn Images

Pregame

Duke's final availability report lists linebacker Tre Freeman, corner Landan Callahan and wide receiver Andrel Anthony all as OUT today against the Tar Heels. The Blue Devils will be short defensively, and expect Sahmir Hagans to see more snaps on offense today.

Duke won the toss and deferred to the second half. UNC will get the ball first.

First Quarter

Nov 15, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; The Duke Blue Devil before kickoff against the Virginia Cavaliers at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images | Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

TOUCHDOWN: A 13-play opening drive by the Tar Heels ends with a 1-yard touchdown run by Gio Lopez to take an early lead. Blue Devils allowed Lopez to complete 6-of-6 passes to start the day.

TOUCHDOWN: Duke responds with a 1-yard touchdown run by Anderson Castle to tie the game, 7-7. Blue Devils ran the ball eight times on the opening series.

Nov 8, 2025; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Duke Blue Devils cornerback Landan Callahan (21) reacts after a play against the UConn Huskies in the second quarter at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | David Butler II-Imagn Images

THREE-AND-OUT: Duke brings the pressure and forces North Carolina to punt. Blue Devils take over from their own 22-yard line.

UPDATE: Mensah looks downfield and hits Cooper Barkate for 24 yards and gets into UNC territory as the quarter comes to an end.

End of Q1: Duke 7, North Carolina 7

Second Quarter

Nov 1, 2025; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils tight end Jeremiah Hasley (85) celebrates after a two-point conversion during the NCAA football game against the Clemson Tigers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Alex Martin-Imagn Images | Alex Martin-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

UPDATE: The Blue Devils stall and an unnecessary roughness penalty against LG Jordan Larsen backs them up, and kicker Todd Pelino misses a 46-yard field goal, but a roughing the kicker penalty then picks up the first down to keep the drive alive.

TOUCHDOWN: Mensah finds a wide-open Jeremiah Hasley on the next play for a 14-yard touchdown pass to take a 14-7 lead.

Jeremiah Hasley!

He now has three catches for 54 yards and a TD! pic.twitter.com/q1mZZA80ut
— Duke Football (@DukeFOOTBALL) November 22, 2025

THREE-AND-OUT: Tar Heels punt again, but this one travels 56 yards off the foot of punter Tom Maginness and settles at the Duke 13-yard line.

FIELD GOAL: Duke stalls again in Tar Heels territory after throwing the ball behind the line of scrimmage and losing yards. Pelino knocks down a 33-yard field goal to extend the lead, 17-7.

Duke Blue Devils wide receiver Sahmir Hagans (2) converts a two-point conversion Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, during the NCAA football game against the Clemson Tigers at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina. | Alex Martin/Greenville News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

FIELD GOAL: Tar Heels drive down the field, but a penalty forces them to settle for a 49-yard field goal, which kicker Rece Verhoff knocks through to make it 17-10 just before the half.

HALF: Duke 17, North Carolina 10

Third Quarter

Nov 22, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils running back Nate Sheppard (20) runs downfield during the first half at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-Imagn Images | William Howard-Imagn Images

UPDATE: North Carolina went with an onside kick to start the second half, and Duke recoved at the UNC 44-yard line. Short field to start the half for the Blue Devils.

TOUCHDOWN: Castle caps off an 11-play drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, his second of the day. Duke leads 24-10.

Nov 22, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils running back Anderson Castle (4) rushes for a touchdown during the first half at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-Imagn Images | William Howard-Imagn Images

TOUCHDOWN: North Carolina responds as Lopez connects with Jordan Shipp for a 20-yard touchdown on a drive that lasted 9:15. Lopez found Shipp again for a two-point conversion to cut Duke's lead to 24-18.

Nov 22, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick watches play during the first half at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-Imagn Images | William Howard-Imagn Images

PUNT: Duke continues to have success running the ball, but a pair of incompletions forces the first Blue Devils' punt of the day. UNC will take over from its own 9-yard line.

End of Q3: Duke 24, North Carolina 18

Fourth Quarter

Nov 22, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils tight end Jeremiah Hasley (85) scores a touchdown during the first half at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-Imagn Images | William Howard-Imagn Images

TOUCHDOWN: Davion Gause goes untouched up the middle for a 12-yard touchdown run for the Tar Heels. The extra point is good, and UNC takes a one-point lead, 25-24.

TURNOVER ON DOWNS: In UNC territory, Duke tried to pull off a trick play with Que'Sean Brown throwing back to Mensah, but the play was covered and Brown was sacked. Tar Heels get the ball on their own 38-yard line.

Nov 22, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Darian Mensah (10) rushes for a first down during the first half at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-Imagn Images | William Howard-Imagn Images

PUNT: Josiah Green and Aaron Hall come up with sacks on back-to-back plays to force North Carolina to punt. Blue Devils will get the ball on their own 32-yard line with 6:37 remaining in the game.

UPDATE: Duke dives into the bag of tricks again. Lining up for a field goal, holder Kade Reynoldson shovels the ball to kicker Todd Pelino, who runs off the left side for 26 yards and is out of bounds at the 1-yard line. Huge play, and the Blue Devils are in business.

THERE GOES TODD PELINO!!!!! pic.twitter.com/QU6b6TbOeE
— Duke Football (@DukeFOOTBALL) November 22, 2025

TOUCHDOWN: Castle punches in his third touchdown of the night from a yard out to retake the lead. Duke goes for two, and Mensah throws it back across his body to Nate Sheppard to go up a clean seven points, 32-25.

UPDATE: Luke Mergott pulls down Lopez for a sack, setting up a 4th and 13 with the Tar Heels backed up. A stop would win the game.

Nov 22, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils wide receiver Jayden Moore (8) twists from a tackle by North Carolina Tar Heels defensive back Gavin Gibson (5) during the first half at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-Imagn Images | William Howard-Imagn Images

TURNOVER ON DOWNS: Lopez misses Kobe Paysour down the sideline with pressure from Vincent Anthony Jr. closing in. Tar Heels give the ball back to the Blue Devils and have no timeouts. Duke will win the game.