Pittsburgh vs. North Carolina

Saturday, December 26, 2009, Meineke Car Care Bowl

No. 17 Pittsburgh beat North Carolina 19–⁠17. It was their seventh meeting; after it, North Carolina led the series 4–⁠3.

Neutral site17Pittsburgh10–⁠3 in 2009
19
Neutral siteNorth Carolina8–⁠5 in 2009 (0–⁠5 official)
17

FinalTV: ESPNAttendance 50,389Payout $1,000,000 per team (Wikipedia)Referee: R.G. Detillier (CUSA)

MVP Dion Lewis (Pittsburgh)Wikipedia

Scoring by quarter

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Pittsburgh0133319
North Carolina737017

Standouts

  • PassingT.J. Yates19 of 32, 183 yards, 2 TD, 1 INTNorth Carolina
  • RushingDion Lewis28 carries, 159 yards, 1 TDPittsburgh
  • ReceivingGreg Little7 catches, 87 yards, 2 TDNorth Carolina
  • DefenseDan Mason1 INTPittsburgh

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, free licenses; credits on each player’s page.

Player stats

Pittsburgh

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Bill Stull17/2416300
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Dion Lewis28159126
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Mike Shanahan583022
Jonathan Baldwin331016
Dorin Dickerson42108
Henry Hynoski32009
InterceptionsIntYdsTD
Dan Mason120

North Carolina

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
T.J. Yates19/3218321
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Ryan Houston2483015
Greg Little131031
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Greg Little787218
Erik Highsmith338020
Zach Pianalto226018
Johnny White217014

From CollegeFootballData’s box score. Names lead to each player’s page. ★ a career high on file.

Team stats

PittsburghNorth Carolina
292Total yards264
182Passing yards205
129Rushing yards81
6.8Yards per pass5.5
3.6Yards per rush2.8
17First downs18
6–⁠15Third downs6–⁠13
1–⁠1Fourth downs1–⁠2
1Turnovers2
4–⁠26Penalties8–⁠78
15:19Possession18:35

Efficiency

PittsburghNorth Carolina
39%Success rate43%
0.09EPA per play0.01
1.00Explosiveness0.98
−0.10Rushing EPA0.04
0.39Passing EPA−0.02
39%Passing-down success35%
−0.02First-down EPA−0.06
−0.13Second-down EPA0.03
0.46Third-down EPA−0.10

From CollegeFootballData.com: each offense’s efficiency, and the havoc each defense caused. The better side of each line is bold.

Before kickoff

Our ratings going in

Our ratings (scores only)

Pittsburgh 60% to win. Elo’s favorite won.

Every drive

North Carolina end zonePittsburgh end zoneQ1 PittsburghMissed FG, 9 playsQ1 North CarolinaTouchdown pass, 7 playsQ1 PittsburghFumble, 6 playsQ1 North CarolinaFumble, 5 playsQ1 PittsburghField goal, 7 playsQ2 North CarolinaPunt, 3 playsQ2 PittsburghTouchdown run, 3 playsQ2 North CarolinaInterception, 14 playsQ2 PittsburghPunt, 3 playsQ2 North CarolinaField goal, 5 playsQ2 PittsburghField goal, 7 playsQ3 North CarolinaPunt, 3 playsQ3 PittsburghField goal, 7 playsQ3 North CarolinaTouchdown pass, 10 playsQ3 PittsburghPunt, 6 playsQ4 North CarolinaPunt, 8 playsQ4 PittsburghField goal, 17 playsQ4 North CarolinaTurnover on downs, 8 playsQ4 PittsburghEnd of game, 1 play
Solid bars scored; an outline in the other team’s color marks points the defense scored. North Carolina drives left to right, Pittsburgh right to left.
  1. Q1 PittsburghMissed FG, 9 plays, 42 yards
  2. Q1 North CarolinaTouchdown pass, 7 plays, 77 yards
  3. Q1 PittsburghFumble, 6 plays, 63 yards
  4. Q1 North CarolinaFumble, 5 plays, 20 yards
  5. Q1 PittsburghField goal, 7 plays, 26 yards
  6. Q2 North CarolinaPunt, 3 plays, −12 yards
  7. Q2 PittsburghTouchdown run, 3 plays, 45 yards
  8. Q2 North CarolinaInterception, 14 plays, 58 yards
  9. Q2 PittsburghPunt, 3 plays, 1 yard
  10. Q2 North CarolinaField goal, 5 plays, 18 yards
  11. Q2 PittsburghField goal, 7 plays, 46 yards
  12. Q3 North CarolinaPunt, 3 plays, −5 yards
  13. Q3 PittsburghField goal, 7 plays, 11 yards
  14. Q3 North CarolinaTouchdown pass, 10 plays, 70 yards
  15. Q3 PittsburghPunt, 6 plays, −3 yards
  16. Q4 North CarolinaPunt, 8 plays, 15 yards
  17. Q4 PittsburghField goal, 17 plays, 79 yards
  18. Q4 North CarolinaTurnover on downs, 8 plays, 11 yards
  19. Q4 PittsburghEnd of game, 1 play, −2 yards

Play by play

1st quarter5 drives, then North Carolina 7, Pittsburgh 0
Pittsburgh Missed FG, 9 plays
14:481st & 10 at own 35Bill Stull pass complete to Dorin Dickerson for 1 yard to the Pitt 36.
14:102nd & 9 at own 36Bill Stull pass complete to Jonathan Baldwin for 9 yards to the Pitt 45 for a 1ST down.
14:101st & 10 at own 45Bill Stull pass incomplete to Jonathan Baldwin.
13:452nd & 10 at own 45Dion Lewis rush for 6 yards to the NCaro 49.
12:553rd & 4 at opp 49Bill Stull pass complete to Mike Shanahan for 7 yards to the NCaro 42 for a 1ST down.
12:481st & 10 at opp 42NORTH CAROLINA penalty 15 yard pass interference accepted.
12:151st & 10 at opp 27Dion Lewis rush for 4 yards to the NCaro 23.
11:552nd & 6 at opp 23Dion Lewis rush for no gain to the NCaro 23.
11:253rd & 6 at opp 23Bill Stull pass incomplete to Jonathan Baldwin.
11:204th & 6 at opp 23Dan Hutchins 40 yard field goal MISSED.
North Carolina Touchdown pass, 7 plays
10:581st & 10 at own 23Greg Little rush for 31 yards to the Pitt 46 for a 1ST down.
10:151st & 10 at opp 46Ryan Houston rush for a loss of 3 yards to the Pitt 49.
9:452nd & 13 at opp 49T.J. Yates pass complete to Greg Little for 16 yards to the Pitt 33 for a 1ST down.
9:101st & 10 at opp 33Ryan Houston rush for 2 yards to the Pitt 31.
8:552nd & 8 at opp 31T.J. Yates pass complete to Erik Highsmith for 20 yards to the Pitt 5, PITTSBURGH penalty 6 yard face mask accepted for a 1ST down.
8:351st & 0 at opp 5NORTH CAROLINA penalty 5 yard illegal formation accepted.
8:151st & 0 at opp 10NORTH CAROLINA penalty 5 yard illegal formation accepted.
7:121st & goal at opp 15T.J. Yates pass complete to Greg Little for 8 yards to the Pitt 7.
7:052nd & 0 at opp 7NORTH CAROLINA penalty 8 yard illegal forward pass accepted, no play.
6:573rd & goal at opp 15T.J. Yates pass complete to Greg Little for 15 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.North Carolina 6, Pittsburgh 0
6:57Casey Barth extra point GOOD.North Carolina 7, Pittsburgh 0
6:571st & 0 at own 30NORTH CAROLINA penalty 15 yard unsportsmanlike conduct accepted.
6:57Casey Barth kickoff for 67 yards returned by Cameron Saddler for 19 yards to the Pitt 37.
Pittsburgh Fumble, 6 plays
6:251st & 10 at own 37Bill Stull pass complete to Jonathan Baldwin for 16 yards to the NCaro 47 for a 1ST down.
5:501st & 10 at opp 47Dion Lewis rush for 5 yards to the NCaro 42.
5:002nd & 5 at opp 42Dion Lewis rush for 10 yards to the NCaro 32 for a 1ST down.
4:561st & 10 at opp 32Bill Stull pass incomplete to Dorin Dickerson.
4:182nd & 10 at opp 32Bill Stull pass complete to Jonathan Baldwin for 6 yards to the NCaro 26.
4:093rd & 4 at opp 26Dion Lewis rush for 24 yards, fumbled, recovered by NCaro in the endzone.
North Carolina Fumble, 5 plays
3:501st & 10 at own 20T.J. Yates pass complete to Ryan Houston for 5 yards to the NCaro 25.
3:002nd & 5 at own 25T.J. Yates pass complete to Ed Barham for 4 yards to the NCaro 29.
2:203rd & 1 at own 29Ryan Houston rush for 2 yards to the NCaro 31 for a 1ST down.
1:551st & 10 at own 31Ryan Houston rush for 1 yard to the NCaro 32.
1:322nd & 9 at own 32T.J. Yates pass complete to Erik Highsmith for 6 yards, fumbled, recovered by Pitt at the NCaro 40.
Pittsburgh Field goal, 7 plays
1:251st & 10 at opp 40Bill Stull pass incomplete to Jonathan Baldwin.
1:002nd & 10 at opp 40Bill Stull pass complete to Henry Hynoski for 4 yards to the NCaro 36.
0:303rd & 6 at opp 36Bill Stull pass complete to Mike Shanahan for 22 yards to the NCaro 14 for a 1ST down.
0:001st & 10 at opp 14Ray Graham rush for 1 yard to the NCaro 13.
Q2 14:552nd & 9 at opp 13Bill Stull pass incomplete to Jonathan Baldwin.
Q2 14:353rd & 9 at opp 13Bill Stull pass complete to Dion Lewis for a loss of 1 yard to the NCaro 14.
Q2 14:114th & 10 at opp 14Dan Hutchins 31 yard field goal GOOD.North Carolina 7, Pittsburgh 3
Q2 14:11Luke Briggs kickoff for 68 yards returned by Da’Norris Searcy for 27 yards to the NCaro 29.
2nd quarter6 drives, then Pittsburgh 13, North Carolina 10
North Carolina Punt, 3 plays
13:251st & 10 at own 29Jheranie Boyd rush for a loss of 11 yards to the NCaro 18.
12:452nd & 21 at own 18T.J. Yates pass complete to Dwight Jones for a loss of 1 yard to the NCaro 17.
12:363rd & 22 at own 17T.J. Yates pass incomplete, broken up by Greg Romeus.
12:234th & 22 at own 17Grant Schallock punt for 49 yards, returned by Cameron Saddler for 21 yards to the NCaro 45.
Pittsburgh Touchdown run, 3 plays
11:501st & 10 at opp 45Dion Lewis rush for 9 yards to the NCaro 36.
11:152nd & 1 at opp 36Dion Lewis rush for 25 yards to the NCaro 11 for a 1ST down.
11:081st & 10 at opp 11Dion Lewis rush for 11 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.Pittsburgh 9, North Carolina 7
11:08Dan Hutchins extra point GOOD.Pittsburgh 10, North Carolina 7
11:08Luke Briggs kickoff for 55 yards returned by Da’Norris Searcy for 23 yards to the NCaro 38.
North Carolina Interception, 14 plays
10:301st & 10 at own 38Ryan Houston rush for 8 yards to the NCaro 46.
10:002nd & 2 at own 46Ryan Houston rush for 3 yards to the NCaro 49 for a 1ST down.
9:151st & 10 at own 49Ryan Houston rush for 11 yards to the Pitt 40 for a 1ST down.
8:401st & 10 at opp 40Ryan Houston rush for a loss of 3 yards to the Pitt 43.
8:152nd & 13 at opp 43Ryan Houston rush for 15 yards to the Pitt 28 for a 1ST down.
7:251st & 10 at opp 28Ryan Houston rush for no gain to the Pitt 28.
7:172nd & 10 at opp 28T.J. Yates pass incomplete to Jheranie Boyd.
7:003rd & 10 at opp 28T.J. Yates pass complete to Erik Highsmith for 10 yards to the Pitt 18 for a 1ST down.
6:101st & 10 at opp 18Ryan Houston rush for 4 yards to the Pitt 14.
5:402nd & 6 at opp 14Ryan Houston rush for 5 yards to the Pitt 9.
5:093rd & 1 at opp 9Ryan Houston rush for 1 yard to the Pitt 8 for a 1ST down.
4:521st & 0 at opp 8Timeout NORTH CAROLINA, clock 04:52.
4:101st & goal at opp 8Ryan Houston rush for 4 yards to the Pitt 4.
4:072nd & goal at opp 4T.J. Yates pass incomplete to Greg Little.
4:003rd & goal at opp 4T.J. Yates pass intercepted by Dan Mason at the Pitt 1, returned for 2 yards to the Pitt 3.
Pittsburgh Punt, 3 plays
3:241st & 10 at own 3Dion Lewis rush for no gain to the Pitt 3.
3:112nd & 10 at own 3Bill Stull pass incomplete to Jonathan Baldwin, broken up by Charles Brown.
3:033rd & 10 at own 3Dion Lewis rush for 5 yards to the Pitt 8.
3:034th & 5 at own 8Timeout NORTH CAROLINA, clock 03:03.
3:034th & 5 at own 8PITTSBURGH penalty 4 yard false start accepted.
2:534th & 9 at own 4Dan Hutchins punt for 51 yards, returned by Da’Norris Searcy for 17 yards to the Pitt 38.
North Carolina Field goal, 5 plays
2:281st & 10 at opp 38T.J. Yates pass complete to Greg Little for 18 yards to the Pitt 20 for a 1ST down.
1:581st & 10 at opp 20Ryan Houston rush for 1 yard to the Pitt 19.
1:332nd & 9 at opp 19Ryan Houston rush for a loss of 1 yard to the Pitt 20.
1:103rd & 10 at opp 20T.J. Yates pass incomplete to Greg Little.
1:054th & 10 at opp 20Casey Barth 37 yard field goal GOOD.Tied at 10
1:05Casey Barth kickoff for 46 yards out-of-bounds.
Pittsburgh Field goal, 7 plays
0:501st & 10 at own 40Bill Stull pass complete to Mike Shanahan for 21 yards to the NCaro 39 for a 1ST down.
0:501st & 10 at opp 39Timeout PITTSBURGH, clock 00:50.
0:351st & 10 at opp 39Bill Stull pass complete to Dorin Dickerson for 8 yards to the NCaro 31.
0:282nd & 2 at opp 31Bill Stull sacked for a loss of 12 yards, fumbled, recovered by Pitt at the NCaro 43.
0:283rd & 14 at opp 43Timeout PITTSBURGH, clock 00:28.
0:223rd & 14 at opp 43Bill Stull pass complete to Mike Shanahan for 20 yards to the NCaro 23 for a 1ST down.
0:171st & 10 at opp 23Team pass incomplete.
0:062nd & 10 at opp 23Bill Stull pass complete to Nate Byham for 9 yards to the NCaro 14.
0:003rd & 1 at opp 14Dan Hutchins 31 yard field goal GOOD.Pittsburgh 13, North Carolina 10
Q3 15:00Luke Briggs kickoff for 70 yards returned by Da’Norris Searcy for 19 yards to the NCaro 19.
3rd quarter4 drives, then North Carolina 17, Pittsburgh 16
North Carolina Punt, 3 plays
14:221st & 10 at own 19T.J. Yates sacked for a loss of 8 yards to the NCaro 11.
13:452nd & 18 at own 11T.J. Yates pass complete to Ryan Houston for 3 yards to the NCaro 14.
13:273rd & 15 at own 14T.J. Yates pass incomplete to Greg Little.
13:174th & 15 at own 14Grant Schallock punt for 36 yards, returned by Cameron Saddler for no gain, fumbled, recovered by Pitt at the NCaro 45, NORTH CAROLINA penalty 9 yard personal foul accepted.
Pittsburgh Field goal, 7 plays
12:451st & 10 at opp 36Bill Stull pass complete to Dorin Dickerson for 4 yards to the NCaro 32.
12:002nd & 6 at opp 32Dion Lewis rush for 2 yards to the NCaro 30.
11:203rd & 4 at opp 30Bill Stull pass complete to Henry Hynoski for 7 yards to the NCaro 23 for a 1ST down.
10:351st & 10 at opp 23Dion Lewis rush for 4 yards to the NCaro 19.
10:002nd & 6 at opp 19Dion Lewis rush for 2 yards to the NCaro 17.
9:203rd & 4 at opp 17Dion Lewis rush for a loss of 8 yards, fumbled, recovered by Pitt at the NCaro 25.
9:114th & 12 at opp 25Dan Hutchins 42 yard field goal GOOD.Pittsburgh 16, North Carolina 10
9:11Luke Briggs kickoff for 64 yards returned by Da’Norris Searcy for 24 yards to the NCaro 30.
North Carolina Touchdown pass, 10 plays
8:401st & 10 at own 30T.J. Yates pass complete to Greg Little for 7 yards to the NCaro 37.
8:182nd & 3 at own 37Ryan Houston rush for 4 yards to the NCaro 41 for a 1ST down.
7:341st & 10 at own 41Ryan Houston rush for 3 yards to the NCaro 44.
6:552nd & 7 at own 44Ryan Houston rush for 3 yards to the NCaro 47.
6:153rd & 4 at own 47T.J. Yates pass complete to Johnny White for 14 yards to the Pitt 39 for a 1ST down.
6:091st & 10 at opp 39T.J. Yates pass incomplete to Greg Little.
6:032nd & 10 at opp 39PITTSBURGH penalty 10 yard holding accepted.
5:231st & 10 at opp 29T.J. Yates pass complete to Greg Little for 9 yards to the Pitt 20.
4:552nd & 1 at opp 20Ryan Houston rush for 2 yards, fumbled, recovered by NCaro at the Pitt 18 for a 1ST down.
4:151st & 10 at opp 18T.J. Yates pass complete to Jheranie Boyd for 4 yards to the Pitt 14.
4:002nd & 6 at opp 14T.J. Yates pass complete to Greg Little for 14 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.Tied at 16
4:00Casey Barth extra point GOOD.North Carolina 17, Pittsburgh 16
4:00Casey Barth kickoff for 62 yards returned by Ray Graham for 25 yards to the Pitt 33.
Pittsburgh Punt, 6 plays
3:251st & 10 at own 33Bill Stull pass complete to Henry Hynoski for 9 yards to the Pitt 42.
2:452nd & 1 at own 42Ray Graham rush for a loss of 1 yard to the Pitt 41.
2:003rd & 2 at own 41Bill Stull pass complete to Dorin Dickerson for 8 yards to the Pitt 49 for a 1ST down.
1:251st & 10 at own 49Bill Stull rush for 3 yards to the NCaro 48.
0:352nd & 7 at opp 48Bill Stull sacked for a loss of 7 yards to the Pitt 45.
0:003rd & 14 at own 45Team rush for a loss of 15 yards, fumbled, recovered by Pitt at the Pitt 30.
Q4 14:504th & 29 at own 30Dan Hutchins punt for 39 yards, returned by Da’Norris Searcy for 11 yards to the NCaro 42.
4th quarter4 drives, then Pittsburgh 19, North Carolina 17
North Carolina Punt, 8 plays
14:251st & 10 at own 42NORTH CAROLINA penalty 10 yard holding accepted.
13:451st & 20 at own 32T.J. Yates pass complete to Zack Pianalto for 18 yards to the 50 yard line.
13:412nd & 2 at the 50T.J. Yates pass incomplete to Greg Little.
13:253rd & 2 at the 50Ryan Houston rush for 4 yards to the Pitt 46 for a 1ST down.
12:451st & 10 at opp 46Ryan Houston rush for no gain to the Pitt 46.
11:582nd & 10 at opp 46Ryan Houston rush for 14 yards to the Pitt 32 for a 1ST down.
11:381st & 10 at opp 32Ryan Houston rush for 3 yards to the Pitt 29.
11:022nd & 7 at opp 29T.J. Yates sacked for a loss of 6 yards to the Pitt 35.
10:003rd & 13 at opp 35T.J. Yates sacked for a loss of 8 yards to the Pitt 43.
9:394th & 21 at opp 43Grant Schallock punt for 38 yards, downed at the Pitt 5.
Pittsburgh Field goal, 17 plays
9:001st & 10 at own 5Dion Lewis rush for 3 yards to the Pitt 8.
8:252nd & 7 at own 8Dion Lewis rush for 13 yards to the Pitt 21 for a 1ST down.
8:001st & 10 at own 21Dion Lewis rush for 3 yards to the Pitt 24.
7:002nd & 7 at own 24Dion Lewis rush for 6 yards to the Pitt 30.
6:363rd & 1 at own 30Dion Lewis rush for no gain to the Pitt 30.
6:054th & 1 at own 30Bill Stull rush for 3 yards to the Pitt 33 for a 1ST down.
5:451st & 10 at own 33Dion Lewis rush for 13 yards to the Pitt 46 for a 1ST down.
4:401st & 10 at own 46Dion Lewis rush for 3 yards to the Pitt 49.
4:322nd & 7 at own 49Bill Stull pass incomplete to Jonathan Baldwin.
3:553rd & 7 at own 49Bill Stull pass complete to Mike Shanahan for 13 yards to the NCaro 38 for a 1ST down.
3:301st & 10 at opp 38Dion Lewis rush for 3 yards to the NCaro 35.
2:582nd & 7 at opp 35Dion Lewis rush for 4 yards to the NCaro 31.
1:583rd & 3 at opp 31Dion Lewis rush for 1 yard to the NCaro 30.
1:554th & 2 at opp 30Timeout PITTSBURGH, clock 01:55.
1:554th & 2 at opp 30NORTH CAROLINA penalty 5 yard offside defense accepted.
1:401st & 10 at opp 25Dion Lewis rush for 1 yard to the NCaro 24.
1:052nd & 9 at opp 24Dion Lewis rush for 2 yards to the NCaro 22.
1:053rd & 7 at opp 22Timeout NORTH CAROLINA, clock 01:05.
0:563rd & 7 at opp 22Dion Lewis rush for 6 yards to the NCaro 16.
0:564th & 1 at opp 16Timeout NORTH CAROLINA, clock 00:56.
0:524th & 1 at opp 16Dan Hutchins 33 yard field goal GOOD.Pittsburgh 19, North Carolina 17
0:52Luke Briggs kickoff for 62 yards returned by Johnny White for 25 yards to the NCaro 38, PITTSBURGH penalty 5 yard offside defense accepted.
North Carolina Turnover on downs, 8 plays
0:421st & 10 at own 38T.J. Yates pass complete to Johnny White for 3 yards to the NCaro 41.
0:372nd & 7 at own 41T.J. Yates pass incomplete to Zack Pianalto.
0:313rd & 7 at own 41T.J. Yates pass incomplete to Jheranie Boyd, broken up by Elijah Fields.
0:254th & 7 at own 41T.J. Yates pass complete to Zack Pianalto for 8 yards to the NCaro 49 for a 1ST down.
0:241st & 10 at own 49Team pass incomplete.
0:182nd & 10 at own 49T.J. Yates pass incomplete to Erik Highsmith.
0:123rd & 10 at own 49T.J. Yates pass incomplete to Greg Little, broken up by Adam Gunn.
0:064th & 10 at own 49T.J. Yates pass incomplete to Zack Pianalto.
Pittsburgh End of game, 1 play
0:001st & 10 at opp 49Team rush for a loss of 2 yards to the Pitt 49.

Play-by-play from CollegeFootballData.com, as its scorers wrote it. The clock is the time left in the quarter; the spot is from the side of the team with the ball.

North Carolina leads 13–⁠6 in 19 meetings, counting the 12 since this game.

Recent meetings
2026North Carolina 21, Pittsburgh 17
2024Pittsburgh 34, North Carolina 24
2023North Carolina 41, Pittsburgh 24
2022North Carolina 42, Pittsburgh 24
2021Pittsburgh 30, North Carolina 23
2019Pittsburgh 34, North Carolina 27

Around this game

Pittsburgh

North Carolina