With 19 seconds left, Bo Nix threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Chase Cota, and Camden Lewis’ PAT bounced off the left upright and in, giving No. 14 Oregon a wild 28-27 victory over No. 25 North Carolina in the Holiday Bowl at Petco Park on Wednesday night.
Cota caught the ball near the 1 and crossed the goal line while being tackled by Don Chapman. Following a review, the play was upheld. Lewis then deposited the PAT.
With one second left, North Carolina (9-5) moved the ball to the Oregon 42, but Drake Maye’s desperate heave into the end zone fell incomplete. Maye, the ACC Offensive Player of the Year, completed 18 of 35 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns.
Nix threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Troy Franklin with 6:58 remaining to pull the Ducks to within 24-21.
With 2:34 remaining, Noah Burnette’s 44-yard field goal, his second of the quarter, gave the Tar Heels a 27-21 lead.
Nix then led the Ducks 79 yards in eight plays for the victory, aided by a pass interference call.
Nix completed 23 of 30 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns while throwing one interception. Bucky Irving of Oregon scored on runs of 2 and 66 yards.
