The Holiday Bowl was a fascinating game from start to finish in a beautiful venue, Petco Park. Yes, the home of the San Diego Padres hosted the game, the first Holiday Bowl played since 2019. The last two games were canceled due to the pandemic.
It was worth the wait.
Oregon had a massive advantage coming in with Tar Heels WR Josh Downs not playing as he prepares for the 2023 NFL draft. Still, it was expected to be a good game, and for most of the night, it looked like North Carolina was going to win.
Then, with just 24 seconds left, Ducks QB Bo Nix connected with Chase Cota on a six-yard touchdown to tie the game, and the extra point was good — doinked off the upright and through — to get the 28-27 victory for the Ducks.
On fourth down and with the game on the line, Nix delivered, and the Ducks edged out North Carolina in one of the best bowl games of the season.
Nix finished 23-of-30 for 205 yards, a pair of scores and an interception. Mar’Keise Irving ran wild with 149 yards and two touchdowns on just 13 carries.
Tar Heels QB Drake Maye, an early contender for the 2023 Heisman Trophy, finished with 206 yards and three touchdown passes in a tough loss.
Dan Lanning’s first season in Eugene ends with 10 wins and a thrilling bowl game victory. The Ducks were up 14-7 early in the second quarter, but North Carolina scored 17 unanswered points to take a 24-14 lead late in the fourth quarter.
The Ducks rallied late and escaped with a gritty victory. It felt like the Holiday Bowl again, back in our lives after a three-year absence.
Bo Nix CLUTCH 🤯
He finds Chase Cota for the go-ahead touchdown in the Holiday Bowl 🏈pic.twitter.com/EuYQn438wg
— 247Sports (@247Sports) December 29, 2022
Another ridiculous throw from Drake Maye. Add it to the collection
— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 29, 2022
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