In an exciting matchup at the Duke's Mayo Bowl, the West Virginia Mountaineers emerged victorious with a resounding 30-10 win over the North Carolina Tar Heels. The victory not only solidified their standing in the Big 12 Conference but also earned head coach Neal Brown the coveted honor of receiving the mayo bath, a time-honored tradition for winning coaches in this bowl game.

The Mountaineers entered the game with a chip on their shoulder after being predicted to finish last in the 12-team Big 12 Conference. Determined to prove their worth, they showcased their talents on the field and silenced their critics. Quarterback Garrett Greene, a key player in their success, commented on the team's motivation, stating, "When those predictions came out, it kind of ticked everyone off. We knew we were a better team than that."

Amidst the jubilation and celebration, Coach Neal Brown admitted that he wouldn't recommend the mayo bath to anyone, highlighting the sheer messiness of the tradition. However, it didn't dampen the team's spirits nor their accomplishments.

Greene's stellar performance contributed significantly to the Mountaineers' triumph. He completed 12-of-24 passes for an impressive 228 yards and fired a touchdown pass to Traylon Ray. The highlight of the game came in the form of a sensational 75-yard pitch and catch connection between Greene and Ray. Greene also showcased his versatility, leading the team with 64 rushing yards. Ray finished the game with three catches for 91 yards, including a touchdown. Hudson Clement also had a notable performance, tallying five catches for 89 yards.

The Mountaineers showcased their dominance in the second quarter when Beanie Bishop Jr. returned a punt for a touchdown, extending West Virginia's lead following Greene's long-distance touchdown pass to Ray.

With this victory, the West Virginia Mountaineers concluded their season with an impressive 9-4 record. Coach Neal Brown expressed confidence that their remarkable performances throughout the year would secure them a spot in the final Associated Press Top 25 poll.

On the other side, the North Carolina Tar Heels fell to 8-5 after an initially promising start to the season. Coach Mack Brown acknowledged the need for improvement, particularly in finishing games strongly. "We have to figure out why we're not finishing well," Brown stated. "My job over the next six months is to figure out why we are doing so well early and not doing well late."

As the West Virginia Mountaineers bask in the glory of their Duke's Mayo Bowl victory, their determined performance serves as a testament to their resilience and determination, proving that rankings and predictions mean little when a team is driven by the desire to prove themselves.