Quarterback Phil Jurkovec passes against North Carolina. He did that _a lot_.

Attempting another comeback in the fourth quarter, the Eagles fell just short to #12 North Carolina, 26-22, yesterday in Alumni Stadium. After scoring a touchdown to pull within two, 24-22, with 45 seconds remaining, quarterback Phil Jurkovec’s pass attempt for a two-point conversion and tie was intercepted and returned for two points. 

In its previous game against Texas State, BC had come from behind to tie the Bobcats and then win the game on a field goal.

North Carolina, playing only its second game of the season, started off fast, with QB Sam Howell throwing for 153 yards and two touchdowns in the first half. The Tar Heels took a 21-16 lead at halftime. 

Ahead 24-16 in the fourth quarter, North Carolina looked to make it a two-score game with 5:46 left, but missed a field goa attemptl and BC took over at its own 31-yard line. Over the next 5:01, BC passed its way down the field as Jurkovec completed 8 of 11 attempts. For a time, it looked like the Eagles were moving back and forth rather than forward. Pass interference penalties on both teams moved the lines of scrimmage around and negated both a North Carolina interception and a BC touchdown pass.

Finally, on the penultimate play of the drive, Jurkovec threw a six-yard TD pass to C.J. Lewis to make the score 24-22. Then came the ill-fated conversion attempt.

Jurkovec made 56 passing attempts, the most by a BC quarterback at home since 1996 and tied for fourth in BC history. His 37 completions tied the Alumni Stadium record set by Matt Ryan in 2007. The total also tied for second in BC single-game history, tying Frank Harris in 1968 and short of Matt Ryan’s 40 completions against Wake Forest in 2008.

Overall, the Eagles had 353 yards in offense, gaining 313 through the air and 40 on the ground. Junior tight end Hunter Long tied his personal record with nine receptions, for 96 yards. Long leads the nation among tight ends for receptions. David Bailey led BC rushers with 28 yards on seven carries.

North Carolina ended the game with 401 yards total offense. 

Here are highlights.

The Eagles stay home next week, hosting 3-1 Pittsburgh. The Panthers were stunned 30-29 yesterday with a late score by North Carolina State. Game time is 1 pm PT.