Born to run

For nearly three full quarters Saturday an old-fashioned one-possession game sat at a stalemate with one big break on either side threatening to tip the balance of power in the ACC Coastal division.

No. 19 North Carolina got that break late in the third quarter when Georgia Tech punt returner Roddy Jones muffed the catch turning the ball over to UNC.

A few plays later UNC had a two-score lead and a shot of momentum in the race to Tampa Bay.

Ryan Houston had a career game rushing the ball Hakeem Nicks broke a school record and the Tar Heels came away with a 28-7 win guaranteeing their first winning record in seven years.

But until the Georgia Tech miscue" none of that was assured.

""It really did give us a spark"" said Houston, UNC's sophomore short-yardage back. We thrive on our defense or special teams making a big play.

""It seems like if you go back to all our wins" every time our special teams or defense gets an interception" we get hyped on that and we thrive off of it.""

It was Houston that made the then-No. 22 Yellow Jackets (7-3" 4-3) pay for their mistakes. First he punched in from two yards out after the fumble recovery off the punt. Then after a second GT fumble" Houston ran the ball five times to score and give UNC a 21-0 lead.

He finished with a career-high 74 yards and two touchdowns.

""Ryan Houston gave us what he gives us every week — it's just solid" hard yards UNC quarterback Cameron Sexton said. He just doesn't get denied. Someway somehow he just finds a way to get it done" and it's been so key for us.""

But Houston"" who wore the word ""thunder"" on his eye-black" was only half of UNC's ground game Saturday. Shaun Draughn" who sported ""lightning"" on his" complemented Houston's power game with 90 yards of his own.

The North Carolina rushing attack was especially important to give the defense a chance to rest since Georgia Tech's run-heavy triple-option offense can wear defenders down.

But with two weeks to prepare the Tar Heels were ready for the unconventional scheme. They gave up yardage and first downs but tightened up when necessary.

Georgia Tech had three drives of 12 or more plays that resulted in no points and four possessions ended on either failed fourth down conversions or missed field goals.

North Carolina nearly shut the Jackets out but the ACC's second-leading rusher Jonathan Dwyer finally broke an 85-yard touchdown — the longest rush UNC has ever given up — in the fourth quarter with the game already out of reach.

With the win North Carolina showed its versatility. A week before it was the passing game that exploded for a blowout win. But against GT's physical style of play" UNC countered with its own running game.

""Some weeks you might have to throw against Boston College for 200-and-something yards"" UNC coach Butch Davis said. Some weeks you may have to pound the rock a little bit. But you want to have both of those that you can call.""

The pass game did garner the only score of the first three quarters" though on a Zack Pianalto grab. Pianalto broke his fibula on the catch" in only his first game back since a high ankle sprain against Notre Dame. Davis said Sunday there ""is no timetable"" for his return.

That emphasis on running the football nearly prevented history" though. Nicks entered the game 47 yards shy of the all-time UNC career receiving yardage record set by Corey Holliday Class of '93. But after a catchless first half the milestone seemed in doubt.

A late 31-yard touchdown reception brought him to the doorstep. Then with a large cushion quarterback T.J. Yates came into the game to get some reps as his broken ankle heals. His first pass gave Nicks his 2448th receiving yard enough to pass Holliday" who still works with the football program.

""When I broke the record" (Holliday) came up to me Nicks said. He told me he'd rather it be me than anybody else. So that was good for me" and I feel good right now. Everybody's proud of me.""



Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.