North Carolina
Eli Pancol helps Duke football beat Virginia Tech, keep spot as North Carolina’s top team
Duke hasn’t played pretty football at times, but the Blue Devils have consistently proven to be the top team in North Carolina.
After beating UNC (6-5, 3-4) and N.C. State (5-6, 2-5) earlier this year, Duke (8-3, 4-3 ACC) will go for the Tobacco Road sweep in the regular-season finale at Wake Forest (4-7, 2-5) on Nov. 30 (Noon, ACC Network).
Because of their consistently dominant defense and the ability to handle in-game adversity, the Blue Devils are in position to win double-digit games for just the second time in program history.
That’s quite a debut for first-year coach Manny Diaz, who has helped the Blue Devils win five of their six one-score games this season, including a 31-28 victory against Virginia Tech on Saturday in the home finale at Wallace Wade Stadium.
Duke report card vs Virginia Tech
Here’s what and who stood out on senior night in Duke’s eighth win of the 2024 college football season.
Duke wide receiver Eli Pancol caps comeback with special finale at Wallace Wade Stadium
Eli Pancol, Duke’s sixth-year wide receiver who missed the 2023 season with an injury, capped his comeback with an incredible performance in the final home game of his career.
Eli Pancol’s incredible comeback story
Finishing with five catches for 188 yards and three touchdowns, Pancol did most of that damage on two of the first four plays when he had an 86-yard catch-and-run touchdown, followed by a 77-yard catch-and-run TD. In his final two games at Wallace Wade Stadium, Pancol combined for 16 catches for 326 yards and four touchdowns.
Ozzie Nicholas, Cam Bergeron, Kendy Charles shine for Duke football defense
Pancol wasn’t the only senior to shine Saturday night against the Hokies. Duke’s top three tacklers were seniors, combining for 31 tackles, including three for loss. Princeton graduate transfer Ozzie Nicholas, Duke’s leading tackler, led the way again with 11 tackles. Fellow linebacker Cam Bergeron and defensive tackle Kendy Charles each had 10 tackles.
Overall, Duke had 14 tackles for loss, including eight sacks. The Blue Devils have consistently been among the top five teams in the nation at creating havoc for offenses as a steady presence in the backfield. It’s the main reason Duke is in position to reach 10 wins this season.
Manny Diaz keeps proving he was right hire for Blue Devils
Duke has won 10 games once since 1922, getting it done in 2013 under former coach David Cutcliffe, who helped resurrect a struggling program. Following Cutcliffe’s departure, Mike Elko won nine games in his first season and eight in his second before bolting to Texas A&M.
After a successful stint as a defensive coordinator at Penn State, Diaz got a second head-coaching opportunity when Duke hired him in December 2023. In three seasons as the head coach at Miami, Diaz had one year with eight wins. He accomplished that in his debut year at Duke, putting the program in position to join an exclusive club if the Devils can win their final two games.
Rodd Baxley covers Duke, North Carolina and N.C. State for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding those teams? Send them to rbaxley@fayobserver.com.
North Carolina
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North Carolina
North Carolina Dems fight GOP power shift as lawsuit targets election boards
Outgoing Gov. Roy Cooper (D-NC) and Gov.-elect Josh Stein (D-NC) filed an expanded lawsuit Monday to challenge a sweeping Republican-backed law that strips significant powers from the state’s incoming Democratic officeholders.
The move by the Democratic leaders escalates an ongoing legal battle over GOP efforts to reshape control of state agencies and boards ahead of next month’s transition.
The new legal action focuses on Senate Bill 382, which transfers the governor’s authority to appoint members of the State Board of Elections to the state auditor, a position set to be held by Republican Dave Boliek. Additionally, the law grants the auditor the power to appoint the leaders of all county election boards, further limiting gubernatorial influence.
“These blatantly partisan efforts to give control over election boards to a newly elected Republican will create distrust in our elections process and serve no legitimate purpose,” Cooper said in a statement.
The lawsuit was originally filed by Democrats over Senate Bill 749, a bill blocked earlier this year that would have overhauled the state election board structure. With SB 382 now law, Cooper and Stein are seeking to amend the lawsuit to reflect the changes, which they argue are unconstitutional and undermine democratic principles.
“In recent years, these legislative leaders have repeatedly tried and failed to seize control of the State Board of Elections for their own partisan gain,” Stein said. “This latest move insults the voters who rejected their power grab and must not stand.”
SB 382’s provisions extend beyond election oversight. It prohibits the incoming attorney general, Democrat Jeff Jackson, from taking legal positions contrary to those of the Republican-led legislature. It also reallocates $227 million to a Hurricane Helene relief fund but does not specify how the money will be used, raising concerns about delayed aid to affected communities.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Republicans overrode Cooper’s veto of SB 382 earlier this month, using their supermajority in the state Senate. However, starting in 2025, they will lose their veto-proof majority in the House, creating a more challenging legislative landscape.
The case now heads to Wake County Superior Court as the political fight over North Carolina’s balance of power intensifies.
North Carolina
North Carolina police officer killed days before Christmas
GREENBORO, N.C. – A Greensboro police officer was shot and killed on Monday morning while responding to reports of a man with a gun inside a Food Lion supermarket, authorities said. The suspect was taken into custody, though details of the incident remain under investigation.
Officer Michael T. Horan, 43, was shot just before noon at the store on Lawndale Drive in Greensboro, Assistant Police Chief Milford J. Harris said during a news conference. Horan, who joined the department in 2018, was remembered as an outstanding officer with a sterling reputation.
“He was an excellent officer. He had an outstanding reputation inside the department and in the community,” Harris said. “Together, we are mourning Officer Horan — who was a husband, father, son, and friend.”
Witness recounts Greensboro officer shooting
Ramona Miller, a shopper, told WGHP-TV she was with her 6-year-old granddaughter when the shooting occurred.
“We were on our way out, and I was purchasing a lottery ticket,” Miller said. “I was just sitting there and heard a ‘pop-pop’ and then ‘pop-pop-pop.’ I think I heard five shots. At first, I didn’t know it was a shooting, but an employee yelled out, ‘Shooting! Shooting!’”
Miller and her granddaughter left the store as police arrived. Authorities said there were no
North Carolina police officer killed in line of duty
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is leading the probe into the circumstances of the shooting. Police did not release additional details about the suspect or the events leading up to the officer’s death. A heavy police presence was visible outside the supermarket in the hours following the incident.
Gov. Roy Cooper expressed his condolences to Horan’s family and colleagues in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Officer Horan was courageously doing his duty protecting Greensboro when he became the victim of a senseless act of violence,” Cooper wrote. “We are grateful for his brave, dedicated service.”
Cooper also noted that he had sent a significant number of state law enforcement officers to support the response in Greensboro.
Who is Officer Michael Horan?
Horan was a member of the U.S. Coast Guard since 2000, serving as a law enforcement officer, tactical instructor, and search-and-rescue operator. In 2019, he received a lifesaving award for rescuing a man and his son from a rip current while off duty.
“Michael Horan was a protector and a provider,” Harris said. “The loss of a man like him rips a hole in the hearts of his family, squad mates, friends, and community.”
Democratic state Sen. Michael Garrett, who represents Guilford County, called the shooting a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by law enforcement.
“During what should be a time of joy and celebration, another brave officer has been shot in the line of duty. Another family’s holiday season forever changed,” Garrett said in a statement on Facebook.
Greensboro police mourn loss of one of their own
The Food Lion store remains closed as authorities continue their investigation. The company said it is cooperating with law enforcement and offering resources to affected employees.
A memorial has been established at Greensboro Police Headquarters, where the public can pay respects to Officer Horan. Additionally, a fundraiser is being organized to support his family.
Horan leaves behind his wife and children, whose holiday season has been marked by grief instead of celebration. “Our hearts are with his family during this time,” Harris said.
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
Police have set up an online account to help the officer’s family.
The Source: Details in this article come from the Greenboro Police Department and the Associated Press.
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