**Duke Football's Gritty Comeback Leads to Historic Victory Over UNC**

In a dramatic finish at Wallace Wade Stadium, Duke football, under their first-year coach Manny Diaz, secured an unforgettable 21-20 victory over rivals UNC. This historic comeback, marking Duke's second-largest turnaround in program history, enabled the Blue Devils to remain undefeated and keep the prized Victory Bell.

Trailing 20-0 early in the third quarter, the Blue Devils seemed on the verge of extending a five-game losing streak against the Tar Heels. However, Duke clawed back into the game, thanks in part to Diaz's unorthodox strategy of taking opponents to "the sewer" in the second half, a concept aimed at testing their opponents' resilience under pressure.

"We just try to take them into the sewer and see if they can hang," said running back Star Thomas, who shone brightly with two touchdowns and a season-high 166 rushing yards. Thomas's performance was crucial as Duke didn't seize the lead until the final five minutes of the game.

The Blue Devils' offensive revival in the second half was nothing short of spectacular. After managing only 97 yards before halftime, Duke exploded with 297 yards in the latter half of the game. Their rushing efficiency improved dramatically, averaging 6.4 yards per carry compared to just 2.1 yards in the first half.

Manny Diaz praised his team's resilience and teamwork, stating, "We talked about it at halftime, that we had a chance to do something legendary, and that would require all of our belief in ourselves and in each other." Diaz added that there were no signs of frustration or defeat during the break—only a focused determination to turn the game around.

Duke's defense also stepped up, limiting the Heels to just a single field goal after halftime. In the final minute, linebacker Tre Freeman's crucial interception sealed the victory, igniting wild celebrations as fans stormed the field and the Victory Bell was rung triumphantly.

With their sights set on maintaining their position atop the ACC standings, the Blue Devils are now preparing to face Georgia Tech. As they ride a seven-game winning streak, the longest in the ACC dating back to last season, their confidence and belief in their potential remain unshaken.

Reflecting on their accomplishment, Diaz kept the bigger picture in mind. "Starting the season 5-0, they really believe that this night is not what this season is all about. There's more that we can do," he asserted, no doubt already planning their next steps toward further success.