Surratt's redemption saves the day for Tar Heels

Former quarterback's interception at the goal line preserves a 20-17 win and brings the Victory Bell back to Chapel Hill

Neil Redmond/USAToday sports

Jay Bateman had a hunch as Duke lined up for what was almost certainly going to be a decisive play in Saturday's rivalry game at Kenan Stadium.

As his players trotted back onto the field after a timeout for a first-and-goal play from the 2-yard line, the Carolina defensive coordinator yelled for them to "watch the pop pass."

His intuition was right on the money. And Chazz Surratt was right on the spot, anticipating the jump pass by Blue Devils running back Deon Jackson and picking it off at the goal line to preserve a wild 20-17 Tar Heels victory.

It was the most improbable of endings -- not just because of the head-scratching play call by Duke's David Cutcliffe or the fact that it ended a three-year Carolina drought without the Victory Bell but because of the hero's history in this intense neighborhood rivalry.

Two years ago, it was Surratt that threw the late interception that sealed the outcome in a disappointing loss to the Blue Devils. Now, having been moved to linebacker, it was Surratt that got the ultimate redeption with his first career pick.

Here's what the redshirt junior had to say during a break in the postgame celebration:

As satisfying as the ending was personally, Surratt was more interested in talking about what the victory meant to his team -- especially a group of seniors that had never had the experience of ringing the Victory Bell ...

Finally, Surratt what it says about the Tar Heels that virtually every game they've played this season has come down to the final play -- and sometimes beyond. He said it's a product of the team's resilience.