The Texas A&M Aggies finished off a 9-1 campaign with a fourth quarter flurry of scores versus a game North Carolina Tar Heels team that played without a plethora of its offensive firepower. We go inside the action with a photo gallery that describes some of the best action in the Aggies 41-27 victory over the Tar Heels. The game’s ebbs and flows were befitting of a New Year’s Six bowl.
2021 Capital One Orange Bowl halftime show
Hard Rock Stadium was the host for the 2021 Capital One Orange Bowl and the fireworks display at halftime was befitting of a new year.
Isaiah Spiller RB Texas A&M
First-team All-SEC RB Isaiah Spiller scored the first touchdown of the game behind Texas A&M TE Ryan Renick. Spiller went over the 1,000-yard mark (1,036) with 11 carries for 50 yards and two touchdowns on the night.
DeMarvin Leal makes the tackle
Leal (No. 8 seen tackling UNC RB Josh Henderson) started the game strong and was active throughout the contest. The former U.S. Army All-American finished 2020 with 2.5 QB sacks and seven tackles for losses. He also had a fumble recovery, interception and three pass breakups on the year.
Bobby Brown III vs. Brian Anderson
On the last play of the first half, Texas A&M first-team All-SEC defensive tackle Bobby Brown III beat the block by UNC center Brian Anderson and put his 325 pounds on Tar Heels RB British Brooks.
Dazz Newsome TD catch
Despite excellent coverage by Texas A&M freshman DB Antonio Johnson (No. 27 pictured), UNC WR Dazz Newsome was able to catch the tipped pass for a 28-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
Texas A&M WR Chase Lane athletic grab
Texas A&M freshman WR Chase Lane (No. 2 pictured) had a productive season capped off by this twisting 27-yard grab in second quarter of the 2021 Orange Bowl. He finished with 29 receptions for 409 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games.
Fox vs. Hocker
UNC DT Tomari Fox (No. 56 pictured) -the younger brother of UNC OLB Tomon- fights off Aggies RG Jared Hocker (No. 73 pictured) despite giving up nearly 45 pounds.
Fox vs. Moore
Fox (No. 12 pictured) drew this third quarter holding call versus Aggies second-team All-SEC offensive tackle Dan Moore (No. 65 pictured). Fox -who finished the year with seven QB sacks and 10.5 TFLs- made the first two tackles of the game.
Kellen Mond and Isaiah Spiller
Spiller (No. 28 pictured) works downfield to get a block for quarterback Kellen Mond (No. 11 pictured) on this 24-yard run in the third quarter. The play was called back due to a holding call.
Tony Grimes QB sack
On a key third down in the third quarter, UNC freshman CB Tony Grimes chased down Texas A&M's Kellen Mond for a quarterback sack. Grimes finished the contest with three tackles, a quarterback sack and two pass breakups.
Tony Grimes covering Hezekiah Jones
Grimes was also competitive in coverage through the fourth quarter versus the Aggies wide receivers.
Texas A&M P Nik Constantinou
Texas A&M freshman punter Nik Constantinou kicks this ball off the side of his foot in the fourth quarter. Despite the shank to his left, Constantinou averaged 42 yards per punt, landed two punts inside the 20-yard line and posted one punt of 50-plus yards in the Orange Bowl.
Sam Howell QB-UNC
UNC QB Sam Howell was a dual-threat in the 2021 Orange Bowl. Not only did he complete 18-of-31 passes for 234 yards (3 TDs, INT), the sophomore signal-caller rushed for some key first downs. The yardage totals are misleading, due to the fact that he was sacked four times by the Aggies. The team gave up 34 sacks in 2020, which ranked 13th in the ACC.
Devon Achane RB-Texas A&M
Texas A&M freshman RB Devon Achane has the hand-eye coordination to get more involved in the Aggies passing game moving forward.
Eugene Asante squaring up the running back
Having the unenviable task of replacing first-team All-ACC LB Chazz Surratt (opted out of the game) proved to be no problem for UNC sophomore LB Eugene Asante (No. 7 pictured). He was a consistent presence from the onset and finished the game with 10 tackles.
2021 Capital One Orange Bowl MVP Devon Achane
At the end of the game, 2021 Capital One Orange Bowl MVP Devon Achane (pictured on the podium) was throwing oranges to his teammates. Achane -the 2020 Gatorade Texas Boys Track & FIeld Athlete of the Year- finished with 140 yards on 12 carries and two touchdowns. He also had two receptions for 24 yards.
