Postgame UNC-DUKE kerfuffle could change football rivalry protocol

A relatively minor kerfuffle, broken up before it escalated, between Duke and UNC players and coaches on Saturday could lead to changes in protocol for the Duke-north Carolina football rivalry.

Both Duke coach David Cutcliffe and UNC coach Mack Brown said Monday they are in favor of moving the Victory Bell trophy to a neutral location at some point during the game to keep the opposing players from interacting following the game.

“We need the bell, regardless of the score or who has it, put in some sort of a neutral place, so you don’t have two teams coming together and something horrific happens,” Cutcliffe said. “What you need is at the start of the fourth quarter you figure out, in both stadiums, where the bell is. So if it’s retained, there’s not a problem. If it’s lost, there’s not a problem.”

During his regularly scheduled press conference in Chapel Hill two hours later, Brown agreed with Cutcliffe’s idea.

“What I’m going to suggest is that we put the bell somewhere that’s not near the other team,” Brown said. “We don’t need the teams coming together after an emotional game to get that bell, because that bell is important. Put it in the middle of the field.”

Traditionally, the game’s winner retains possession of the Victory Bell trophy on its campus for a year until the next game is played. On game day, the trophy is wheeled into the stadium and stays on that team’s sideline while the game is played.

Once the game is over, that team keeps possession if it wins. Players rolls it around the field ringing it in celebration.

If the previous year’s losing team wins, it is wheeled over to its players so they can celebrate with it.

Duke football coach David Cutcliffe addressed the Blue Devils’ 20-17 loss at rival UNC on Saturday, Oct. 26 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill. Cutcliffe wasn’t happy with the actions of UNC’S staff after the game in an altercation.