Recap: Virginia vs. North Carolina
Sports Network | October 18, 2008
Charlottesville, VA (Sports Network) - Cedric Peerman scored the game-tying touchdown with 47 seconds left in regulation and stretched across the goal line with the winning TD in overtime, as Virginia stole a 16-13 decision from 18th-ranked North Carolina.
Peerman, along with the entire Cavaliers offense, was held in check for most of the game, logging just 44 yards on 17 carries. Marc Verica played mistake- free football behind center, completing 24-of-38 passes for 217 yards for Virginia (4-3, 2-1 ACC), which has won three straight games to climb over .500 for the first time this season.
The Tar Heels (5-2, 1-2) turned the ball over three times and watched their defense falter down the stretch. Cameron Sexton tossed two interceptions on 16-of-25 throws that netted 166 yards.
Shaun Draughn registered 138 yards on the ground on 30 carries, while Hakeem Nicks caught six balls for 90 yards for Carolina, which dropped its 14th straight game in Charlottesville.
Ryan Houston recorded a rushing touchdown for Carolina, which had a three-game winning streak snapped. The Tar Heels certainly missed big-play receiver and return specialist Brandon Tate, who tore ligaments in his right knee in last week's win over Notre Dame and is lost for the season.
Leading 7-3 in the fourth, Carolina orchestrated a 15-play, 7 1/2-minute drive that ended with 2:22 showing on the clock. Carolina converted three third downs but came up short on 3rd-and-12 at the 25 and settled for a Casey Barth 40-yard field goal.
With the Heels content on playing prevent defense, Verica picked apart the secondary with eight straight completions. Quick outs and slants, along with a 26-yard hookup with Maurice Covington, brought the Cavs to the Carolina two- yard-line, where Peerman powered in with 47 seconds left.
A Carolina defender got a piece of the extra point try, but the kick had enough behind it to get over the crossbar to tie the game, 10-10. The Tar Heels didn't attempt to score on its turn with the ball, effectively sending the game into overtime.
The Heels could only move the chains once with the first crack in the extra frame and Barth knocked in a 28-yarder to forge ahead.
Virginia wasted little time in seizing the momentum. Verica's lob pass to John Phillips went for 19 yards down to the four, and Peerman barreled into paydirt two plays later as the Virginia student body stormed the field to celebrate the come-from-behind win.
Virginia went three-and-out on its first possession, and the Tar Heels countered with a drive that started at their own 17. A 21-yard reception to Nicks off a tipped ball, followed by 18- and 13-yard runs from Draughn set up Houston's one-yard leap into the end zone midway through the first.
Sexton was picked off in Virginia territory the only other time Carolina threatened in the first half. Nonetheless, the Heels' defense maintained the 7-0 lead at the half by allowing only three first downs and forcing two punts with the Cavs in Carolina territory.
Nick Jenkins' interception of Sexton on the first possession of the second half set up the Cavs on the Carolina 34, but the hosts could only muster a Robert Randolph 37-yard field goal to make it a 7-3 game.
Virginia again forced a turnover moments later, this time causing Nicks to fumble on the Cavs 45. After converting on 3rd-and-18, the drive stalled and Virginia was forced to attempt a 39-yard field goal. UNC special teams specialist Bruce Carter, owner of four blocked punts on the season, broke through the line and got a hand on the boot around the seven-minute mark of the third.
A bevy of punts back-and-forth ensued, and Virginia's best looking drive, a 10-play march which overlapped the end of the third and beginning of the fourth, ended with a punt at the UNC 42.
Virginia goes on the road next Saturday in a battle at Georgia Tech, while the Tar Heels host Boston College the same day...The Tar Heels still hold a 57-52-4 advantage in the all-time series, which is recognized as the South's oldest rivalry. Virginia has won six of the last seven meetings and nine of the last 11 overall...Carolina owned the edge in total yards, 332-275...Kevin Ogletree led the Virginia receiving corps with six catches and 72 yards.
