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Russell Athletic Bowl 2015, North Carolina vs Baylor, 49-38: Full highlights, final score and more

By Connor Muldowney

Dec 29, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Baylor Bears wide receiver Lynx Hawthorne (7) is tackled by North Carolina Tar Heels linebacker Shakeel Rashad (42) during the second quarter of a football game at Florida Citrus Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Baylor Bears wide receiver Lynx Hawthorne (7) is tackled by North Carolina Tar Heels linebacker Shakeel Rashad (42) during the second quarter of a football game at Florida Citrus Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Baylor and North Carolina faced off in the Russell Athletic Bowl in one of the best matchups of bowl season.

Losing both Seth Russell and Jarrett Stidham over the course of the 2015 season was a tough blow for the Baylor Bears. Ending the year with a loss to lowly Texas looked to be the nail in the coffin for the Bears, but the 2015 Russell Athletic Bowl was a good last showing for the otherwise disappointing squad.

Usually known for their passing, Baylor was scorching in the run game, even without starter Shock Linwood to fall back on. Through the first half, Baylor had 333 yards on the ground and all four of its touchdowns came from the run game. It was one of the best offensive performances all season and the Bears only threw 10 passes in the first half.

North Carolina struggled to stop the run, which wasn’t necessarily a priority heading into the bowl game, but also struggled to keep up offensively in the first 30 minutes of play.

The Tar Heels finished the half with a touchdown by Marquise Williams and opened with another quick score to make it a 28-24 game, but Baylor put up two more quick touchdowns in the third and the game was getting out of hand.

The Bears won their 10th game of the season despite putting up next to no passing yards in this one.

Three Stars

Johnny Jefferson was a monster in Shock Linwood’s absence, leading Baylor to a ridiculous amount of rushing yards. He had 299 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries.

Marquise Williams had a solid game at quarterback in his last game for North Carolina even though the Tar Heels lost. He finished with 243 passing yards and three passing touchdowns as well as 81 rushing yards and two more scores.

Devin Chafin’s good game was overshadowed by Jefferson’s dominant contest. He had 156 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries.

Full Highlights

"WATCH: Johnny Jefferson scores on an 11-yard run. Now with 129 yards on 9 carries. #SicUNChttps://t.co/zx6Q53HAiK— Baylor Football (@BUFootball) December 29, 2015"

"WATCH: Lynx Hawthorne runs 37 yards to set up a Devin Chafin 2-yard touchdown. #SicUNChttps://t.co/5c0YPipECM— Baylor Football (@BUFootball) December 29, 2015"

"Johnny Jefferson takes it to the house! Baylor looks strong and leads 28-10 #RABhttps://t.co/IozKEOp0GU— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) December 30, 2015"

"That Marquise Williams pass fake 👀 #RABhttps://t.co/Wxn7rNzoOF— RussellAthleticBowl (@RussellAthBowl) December 30, 2015"

"Dominique Green straight pouncing on that ball in the air for @TarHeelFootball#RABhttps://t.co/RmUT1UlFpe— RussellAthleticBowl (@RussellAthBowl) December 30, 2015"

"The stretch. The 🏈 flip. #RABhttps://t.co/Exaa0H6HmT— RussellAthleticBowl (@RussellAthBowl) December 30, 2015"

Betting Odds

North Carolina opened as a three-point favorite in this one and the over/under was set at 73.5 points. The over was easily achieved and the Tar Heels could not cover the spread.

2016 Openers

The North Carolina Tar Heels will open the 2016 season at home against the SEC’s Georgia Bulldogs. That could be a huge statement win on a national stage early on.

Quite the opposite of North Carolina, Baylor will open the season at home against a much more inferior team in Northwestern State. Obviously that should be a sure win.

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