The eight miles didn't matter.
The watch commander from the Chapel Hill police department said the department made no extra preparations for possible post-Duke game celebrations on Franklin Street on Saturday night. Lt. Bryan Walker said because the game was at Duke, the police department did not plan ahead of time to send extra officers downtown.
"Tonight, I am not aware of any major preparations," Walker said before the game.
As the final buzzer rang at Cameron Indoor Stadium affirming UNC's 76-72 win over Duke, the Chapel Hill police decided they needed more enforcement on Franklin Street for the quickly growing crowd as UNC students and Chapel Hill residents ran to Franklin Street to participate in a rivalry tradition.
"They have several extra officers downtown specifically for the event," Walker said after thousands flooded the downtown area.
As of 10 p.m. Saturday night, the Chapel Hill police department did not have any arrests or citations to report.
Fans burned couches, jumped through fires and climbed light posts on Franklin Street.
"It was euphoric. The whole experience is something I'll never forget," UNC student Bradley Wilhelmy said.
This was the first rushing of Franklin Street in two years, since UNC's Feb. 20, 2014 home win when the game was delayed eight days due to inclement weather.
