Sun Bowl, Stanford vs North Carolina: Highlights, score and recap

The Stanford Cardinal held on to beat the North Carolina Tar Heels 25-23 in the 2016 Hyundai Sun Bowl.

The Stanford Cardinal took a 13-7 lead into halftime on the North Carolina Tar Heels in the 2016 Hyundai Sun Bowl in El Paso. North Carolina would strike first with a sweet touchdown pass from quarterback Mitch Trubisky to wide receiver Ryan Switzer.

Stanford responded with a great touchdown pass from quarterback Keller Chryst to running back Bryce Love to make it seven all. On Stanford’s next offensive possession, Chryst injured his knee and was out for the rest of the game as backup Ryan Burns subbed into the game. He continued the drive to set up a Conrad Ukropina 44-yard field goal to make it 10-7 Cardinal.

Near halftime, Trubisky scrambled and fumbled deep in North Carolina territory. The fumble was caused by the official and Stanford recovered and Ukropina made a 33-yard field goal to make it 13-7 Stanford with about a minute left in the first half.

North Carolina and Stanford exchanged a pair of field goals to make it 16-10 Cardinal halfway through the third quarter. The Tar Heels put together another solid drive capped off by a five-yard Jordon Brown touchdown run to tie it up at 16. Nick Weiler’s PAT gave North Carolina a one-point lead 17-16 late in the third quarter and North Carolina led by that margin heading into the fourth quarter.

Stanford punted to start the fourth quarter but on the second play of the ensuing North Carolina possession, Trubisky was intercepted by safety Dallas Lloyd who returned it fora touchdown to make it 22-17 Cardinal. Stanford would miss the two-point attempt. The Cardinal extended their lead to 25-17 on another Ukropina field goal on its next possession.

North Carolina turned it over on downs on its new possession with two minutes left on the clock, but the Tar Heels got the ball back near the end zone with one last attempt at a game-tying drive. Trubisky hit Bug Howard in stride for a 44-yard gain to get it near the red zone with a minute left in regulation.

Howard dropped a certain touchdown on second down but Trubisky connected with Switzer near the goal line to set up a first and goal with 38 seconds remaining. On a third and goal, Trubisky evaded a certain sack and found Howard for the touchdown to bring it within in two with 25 seconds left.

Stanford brought the house, blitzing just about everybody on scholarship at Trubisky on the two-point try and was sacked by Solomon Thomas who brought him down with one hand. Trubisky had no chance as he was fed to the wolves in defeat. Stanford recovered the onside kick to end UNC’s comeback bid.

Three Stars

1. Solomon Thomas: Thomas was the best player on the Stanford defense. He had several big stops in the Stanford pass rush. His unit was the difference in the game.
2. Bryce Love: Love was the best offensive player for Stanford. He 22 carries for 115 yards and one catch for a 49-yard touchdown.
3. Mitch Trubisky: Trubisky had his ups and downs, but that last touchdown drive of his was something else. He completed 23 of 39 passes for 280 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Trubisky had 14 carries for 38 yards.

Highlights

Next Game

Stanford loves to play the Rice Owls, so the Cardinal are going to open up the 2017 NCAA season on the road against this mid-major football program. Kickoff from Rice Stadium in Houston will be on Saturday, Sep. 2.

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North Carolina will interestingly play Stanford’s rival, the California Golden Bears, to open up the 2017 season. Kickoff from Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill will be on Saturday, Sep. 2.