Social media reacts to UNC football's Victory Bell loss against Duke
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It’s not how you start a game, but how you finish it. Such certainly proved the case for UNC on Saturday afternoon, which welcomed Duke to Kenan Stadium for some ACC football action.
Trailing the Blue Devils by 10 points at halftime, North Carolina scored 15 second-half points to take a late, 1-point lead. Big plays, a theme for the Tar Heels throughout their 2025 season, cost them late in a 32-25 loss.
UNC (4-7, 2-5 ACC) forced a Darian Mensah incompletion late in the fourth quarter, bringing Duke’s (6-5, 5-2 ACC) field goal team onto the Kenan Stadium grass for a go-ahead try. Instead, on fourth-and-three from North Carolina’s 27, the Blue Devils gained 26 yards on a fake field goal.
Duke kicker Todd Pelino took a pitch from Kade Reynoldson, sprinted left around the Tar Heels’ defensive line and down to their 1-yard line. The very next play, App State transfer Anderson Castle scored his third touchdown of the day, giving the Blue Devils a lead they never relinquished.
Gio Lopez kept UNC in Saturday’s game, totaling 267 yards and two touchdowns, with his first coming on a 1-yard scramble in the first quarter. Lopez continued showcasing his chemistry with wide receiver Jordan Shipp, who caught a game-high eight passes for 83 yards and a score.
Despite their best efforts in a legendary comeback attempt, the Tar Heels lost – and will miss a bowl game for the first time since 2018. Take a look at some social media reactions after the loss.
Does UNC need another reset?
Not advocating for a reset, but every staff has to adapt. The best ones do it without you even noticing. https://t.co/V9SvDSOVw9
— Joey Powell (@Joey_Powell) November 23, 2025
There’s no sugarcoating it.
Say what you want and a win would be great next Saturday, but this has been a disaster of a season for #UNC.
— Jacob Turner (@JacobTurnerNC) November 23, 2025
Caleb Wilson provided some fun moments pre-game
Caleb’s level of buy-in is incredible. He’s already made himself all-time fave for me. I sure will enjoy cheering for this Tar Heel while he’s in Chapel Hill! https://t.co/Ga3puH4MbM
— Lymarie Jackson (@lymariepj) November 23, 2025
Is Bill Belichick a wasted hire?
“We wasted a head coach cycle where we were the best opening to hire this shitshow. If we fired Belichick this year we’re like the 10th best opening.” pic.twitter.com/sswL17rqWO
— Carolina Meltdown (@ICMeltdown) November 22, 2025
Bill Belichick understands NC State is the bigger football rival
Pretty sure this is the first time he’s actually acknowledged the State game is the actual GAME. Only one way to prove he does, right? https://t.co/SPccHHIu2X
— Joe Ovies (@joeovies) November 23, 2025
This fan had some harsh words for Billy B
Poorly coached team on all fronts. Starts at the top. bill B is a garbage ass coach.
— Tyler Gibbs (@theGibbster3000) November 22, 2025
2026 program turnaround needed big-time
That will wrap the game up folks. Sad to see the penalties kill us. No bowl game this year sucks. Need a huge program turn around next year.
— UNC Barstool (@UNCBarstool) November 22, 2025
Chapel Bill era worse than Mack Brown 2.0?
The start of the BB era feels even worse than Mack Brown 2.0
— EndTheChapelBillEra (@ZClemons12) November 22, 2025
Have to respect the troll job here.
UNC misses a bowl in Bill’s first season. Sad. I really feel for the guy.
— Lupus (@LupusBeowulf) November 22, 2025
Limited growth offsets an easy schedule
Depends. Schedule has helped, but week to week, there hasn’t necessarily been linear growth. https://t.co/sA0xjP5Qed
— Joey Powell (@Joey_Powell) November 23, 2025
UNC committed 12 penalties to Duke’s three
This team is undisciplined and doesn’t deserve the benefit of the doubt, but I have never seen a game with multiple altercations and every single penalty went against one team. https://t.co/yCbzacig4q
— Son of O’Dell (@SonOfODell) November 22, 2025
This fan wants Billy B gone before the State game
“Can Belichick be fired before the NC State game?” pic.twitter.com/g6W0JreAKX
— Carolina Meltdown (@ICMeltdown) November 22, 2025
Duke keeps the Victory Bell
The Victory Bell is staying Duke Blue.@ABC11_WTVDpic.twitter.com/owVaI73jLG
— Kate Rogerson (@KateRogersonTV) November 22, 2025
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC football: Social media reactions to Tar Heels loss against Duke
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