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.
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"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.
