The 2004 Continental Tire Bowl brought together two storied programs—the Boston College Eagles and the North Carolina Tar Heels—in what would become a memorable showdown. The game was played on Thursday, December 30, 2004, at 1:00 PM EST, in Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. This marked the third edition of the Continental Tire Bowl, and notably, it was the final game played under that name. Beginning the following year, the bowl would be rebranded as the Meineke Car Care Bowl, part of the evolving landscape of college football's postseason.

This particular matchup carried additional significance, as it foreshadowed a major shift in conference alignment. Boston College, then a member of the Big East Conference, was set to join the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in 2005—making this a rare pre-conference clash with North Carolina, an ACC member. The game thus offered fans a preview of future conference battles, adding an extra layer of intrigue to an already competitive matchup.

First Quarter: Trading Blows

The scoring opened early, as L.V. Whitworth punched in a 5-yard rushing touchdown to give Boston College a 7–0 lead. However, North Carolina quickly answered. Tar Heels quarterback Darian Durant connected with running back Ronnie McGill on a 12-yard touchdown pass, tying the game at 7–7. As the quarter wound down, Boston College’s senior quarterback Paul Peterson delivered a 2-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Grant Adams, putting the Eagles back on top, 14–7.

Second Quarter: Fireworks Continue

The back-and-forth battle continued into the second quarter. Darian Durant led the Tar Heels with precision, finding Wallace Wright for a 5-yard touchdown pass, leveling the score again at 14–14. Just minutes later, Durant launched a 51-yard deep pass to Derrele Mitchell, giving North Carolina its first lead of the game at 21–14. But Boston College refused to go quietly. Before halftime, Peterson capped a methodical drive with a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end David Kashetta, tying the score once more at 21–21 and setting the stage for an exciting second half.

Third Quarter: The Tar Heels Take the Edge

The third quarter was more subdued in terms of scoring but remained tense and physical. With just over four minutes left in the period, North Carolina kicker Connor Barth knocked through a 27-yard field goal, giving the Tar Heels a narrow 24–21 lead as they entered the final quarter of play.

Fourth Quarter: Eagles Soar to Victory

The final frame belonged to Boston College. Running back Andre Callender muscled his way into the end zone on a 1-yard run, giving BC the lead once again. However, a missed extra point attempt kept the margin at just three points, 27–24. Looking to extend their lead, Boston College pulled off a daring trick play: kicker Ryan Ohliger ran a fake field goal 21 yards for a touchdown, surprising the Tar Heels and pushing the lead to 34–24. Ohliger would later add a conventional 18-yard field goal to cap the scoring.

Final Score: Boston College 37, North Carolina 24

Boston College emerged victorious, defeating North Carolina by a final score of 37–24. The win marked a strong send-off for the Eagles as they prepared to join the ACC, signaling their readiness to compete at a higher level of college football. For the Tar Heels, the game showcased the talent of quarterback Darian Durant and served as a stepping stone for the team’s development in the years to come.

Overall, the 2004 Continental Tire Bowl delivered high-scoring action, dramatic momentum swings, and a glimpse into the future of the ACC—making it one of the most exciting games in the short history of the bowl at that time.