Fireworks Go Off After Home Team Botches Game-Winning Field Goal

Huntington Bank Stadium suffered the ultimate gut punch Thursday evening as the home team, Minnesota Golden Gophers, missed their last-second game-winning field goal to lose to North Carolina.

Harry Styles' "As It Was" blared over the speakers during the UNC timeout to freeze the kicker. Meanwhile, fans looked on in sheer anxiety as other Gopher players huddled away from the action, too scared to even watch the deciding play. All the pressure was on, and for the second time that night, Minnesota's kicker misfired in a massive spot, sending the 47-yard kick a smidge too far left.

As if the suffering wasn't enough for Gopher fans in the moment, the stadium crew apparently didn't foresee Minnesota missing the kick and shot off fireworks immediately following the play... all while North Carolina players celebrated on Minnesota's own home field.

That's this sport, right? You're either a few inches away from euphoria and glory or a few inches away from bitter defeat and a brutal scene after a home loss to open the year.

For North Carolina, the win is massive, especially considering the circumstances. After the first half, the Tar Heels were down 14-7 at the break, and in the third quarter, they lost starting Quarterback Max Johnson, who went out on a cart with a very concerning knee injury.

However, Mack Brown's squad rallied back behind the backup quarterback and got plenty of help from the Minnesota kicker, who also missed a 27-yard chip shot earlier on to seal the victory.

Related: North Carolina QB Max Johnson Carted Off With Gruesome Injury

Related: College Football Game Makes Bizarre Rule Change After 70-Point First-Half Deficit