UNC Edges Pirates in Wacky Game

SportSaturday Editor

Maybe it was the heightened tension created by the renewal of a rivalry

20 years on hold, but it seemed like everything that transpired in North Carolina's football game Saturday was soaked in incredulity.

The Tar Heels overcame their early overanxiousness, slowed the Pirates' offense and effectively employed their two-QB scheme -- albeit with a dash of intrigue -- to prolong a season that is becoming increasingly hard to believe.

UNC's 24-21 win in front of 58,500 at Kenan Stadium defied rationality, encapsulating the Tar Heels' season perfectly.

Backup cornerback Derrick Johnson punched the ball out of Art Brown's right arm one yard shy of a touchdown, after the ECU running back had galloped 81 yards on a kickoff return.

UNC quarterback Ronald Curry hit cornerback Brandon Ranier in both hands with a pass and then watched as tight end Zach Hilton corralled the tip for a touchdown.

The Pirates (2-3) scored their first touchdown when ECU quarterback David Garrard pitched the ball to tailback Richard Alston at the 5-yard line.

Both teams had touchdowns called back because of penalties. And the Tar Heels, who dominated ECU in the second half, suddenly caved in on the Pirates' final drive and were one on-sides kick away from blowing the game.

None of it seemed to make sense. Yet in a season in which the Tar Heels have gone from 0-3 to 3-3 -- from a team that looked destined for mediocrity, at best, to a team with legitimate bowl hopes -- it all made perfect sense.

Bunting's message to any past critics was brief.

"I don't have anything to say," he said, "except thanks for sticking with us -- if you did."

Luckily for Bunting, Johnson stuck with it on Brown's return early in the fourth quarter.

Durant had just found wideout Sam Aiken for a 21-yard touchdown, putting UNC up 21-13 with 12:04 left in the game. On the ensuing kickoff, UNC kicker Jeff Reed sent the ball toward Brown, continuing the Tar Heels' strategy of avoiding dangerous ECU return man Marvin Townes.

Brown juked several Tar Heels and appeared touchdown-bound before Johnson popped the ball loose, sending it through the end zone for a touchback and giving the Tar Heels possession.

"It was just a heck of a play on his part," said UNC safety Dexter Reid, who had an interception. "I think that was probably the play of the game."

Tailback Willie Parker fumbled on UNC's ensuing drive on first-and-goal from the 8. But the Tar Heels' defense forced a three-and-out, and Reed knocked through a 49-yard field goal -- the longest of his career -- to push the lead to 24-13 with 2:48 left in the game.

The Pirates, though, would put a scare in the Tar Heels. ECU quarterback David Garrard led his team on a nine-play, 65-yard touchdown drive and ran for a two-point conversion, slicing the lead to 24-21 with 23 seconds left.

On that drive, the Tar Heels were plagued by many of the same problems they experienced on ECU's opening two drives, when the Pirates ran at will and scored 10 points, namely missing tackles.

ECU spread its offense three- and four-wide on nearly every play, using motion to keep the Tar Heels' defense unsettled.

"They were scheming us pretty well," said UNC defensive tackle Ryan Sims. "They were running in the natural crease of our defense and just making big plays."

But, aside from the final series, the Tar Heels shut down ECU's offense after those initial two drives. ECU fullback Leonard Henry, who came into the game averaging 137.5 rushing yards per game, finished with 107 but Garrard was 9 of 23 for 109 yards and rushed for 22.

"I think they really believe in one another," Bunting said. "And this third win in a row should give us some confidence -- not cockiness, but confidence about the way they can overcome adversity and overcome tough situations."

The Sports Editor can be reached at sports@unc.edu.