The World Cup may be over, but we haven’t seen the last of the soccer skills. North Carolina’s sophomore linebacker Power Echols put the foot in football in the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl with maybe the most incredible interception of the college football season.
Oregon’s Bo Nix targeted his big tight end, Terrance Ferguson, and it looked as though the play was dead as the ball caromed off the calf of the Tar Heel defending on the pass. Echols didn’t give up, however, sneaking a toe under the football and giving it just enough air to stay alive.
This interception by Echols 🤯🤯🤯@UNCFootball pic.twitter.com/kt8hHgWcQv
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 29, 2022
The ability to pop it back up, get your hands on it, AND stay on your feet for a lengthy return? Legendary. Not only was the interception incredible, it was huge for North Carolina’s momentum. The Ducks were driving inside the UNC 20-yard line, looking to break the 14-14 tie. Instead, it went the other way and Drake Maye tossed a 49-yard touchdown one play later to give the Heels the 7-point lead.
Unsurprisingly, the internet couldn’t get enough of the incredible play.
Immaculate Interception #UNC
— Jordan Crammer (@JordanCrammer) December 29, 2022
That’s about as close to an immaculate interception as you’ll ever see by Power Echols #UNC
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) December 29, 2022
Incredible first touch on that UNC interception. pic.twitter.com/5qucITneji
— Jarrid Denney (@jarrid_denney) December 29, 2022
HOLY COW! Crazy interception leads to UNC touchdown. 🤯#Oregon #UNC
— Alyssa Rae (@AlyssaRaeTV) December 29, 2022
Power Echols!! What? That’s Crazy!! 😳😳😳🔥🔥🔥
— Tre Boston (@TreBos10) December 29, 2022
Power Echols said that’s why we call it Football!
— Tate Frazier (@tatefrazier) December 29, 2022
Off the back of Cedric Gray’s leg, Power Echols kicks the ball up to himself and intercepts it. One of the strangest turnovers you’ll ever see.
— Taylor Vippolis (@tvippolis) December 29, 2022
Cedric Gray and Power Echols with an ALL-TIME FIFA INT
— UNC Barstool (@UNCBarstool) December 29, 2022
Power Echols INT pic.twitter.com/5saHO0t42H
— Andrea Adelson (@aadelsonESPN) December 29, 2022
