WATCH: Huge run puts North Carolina on the board in Duke's Mayo Bowl
South Carolina didn’t waste any time putting up 18 points on North Carolina in the first quarter of the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. But the Tar Heels responded in big fashion — and at a good time.
British Brooks took a hand-off 63 yards to the house to put North Carolina on the board in the second quarter. The score cut the South Carolina lead to 18-7 with 13:11 to play in the first half.
In fact, Brooks set a record with the run. It’s now the longest touchdown un in a bowl game in North Carolina program history. The previous record was a 59-yard touchdown run by Amos Lawrence in 1980.
South Carolina got out to a fast start in the game with two big plays from Jaheim Bell — first a 69-yard touchdown pass, then a 66-yard catch for a score.
Both teams enter the game with 6-6 records, and South Carolina is looking to end a rough stretch for the SEC in bowl games. SEC teams haven’t won one yet, but the Gamecocks are in good position early on to challenge that trend.
Two big touchdown catches give South Carolina lead to start Duke’s Mayo Bowl
South Carolina got off to an exciting start in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl in Charlotte.
Less than five minutes into the game against North Carolina, the Gamecocks lined up in the wildcat formation, snapping the ball to converted quarterback and now-wide receiver Dakereon Joyner. Joyner subsequently threw a beautiful 69-yard downfield touchdown pass to tight end Jaheim Bell.
The score gave the Gamecocks a 7-0 lead over their neighbors to the north, and they are now up 15-0 after an additional 66-yard touchdown pass from starter Zeb Noland to Bell. They converted a two-point conversion following the play.
UNC has 161 total yards, 69 of them coming on that run from Brooks. Quarterback Sam Howell 80 passing yards, as well, in what is presumably his last game for the Tar Heels. He’s expected to declare for the NFL Draft.