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Heels kick Eagles
UNC defense shuts down Boston College
AP Photo
Quarterback T.J. Yates of North Carolina completed 23 of 34 passes for 182 yards, including 3 interceptions.
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Published: November 22, 2009
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass.
North Carolina jumped to a big lead in just a few minutes yesterday, but still needed an extraordinary defensive effort to overcome repeated mistakes and defeat Boston College.
North Carolina won 31-13 at Alumni Stadium by forcing six turnovers, among them five interceptions. Three of the interceptions were by free safety Deunta Williams, playing on his 21st birthday.
"God gave me three gifts today," Williams said.
Quarterback Dave Shinskie of Boston College, apparently in a giving mood as well, threw four of the interceptions.
The first two turnovers resulted in touchdowns, after defensive tackle Cam Thomas scooped up a fumble and lumbered 20 yards into the end zone, and cornerback Kendric Burney scored on a 30-yard return with the first interception.
The Tar Heels led 21-0 with 5:14 left in the first quarter and the Eagles had run eight plays, not counting punts. "It was crazy at first," Williams said. "It was like it was a dream."
The turnover virus struck the Tar Heels as well. They had four, three coming on interceptions of quarterback T.J. Yates, and the mistakes helped the Eagles slice the lead to 21-13 at halftime.
The North Carolina defense was dominant in the second half, which offset the loss of tailback Ryan Houston, who was held out for most of the second half as a precaution after suffering a thigh bruise. UNC had three interceptions in the second half, and kept Boston College from advancing beyond its 47-yard line.
"We wanted to go out there and put out the fire each and every chance we had," said defensive tackle Marvin Austin. "I feel like we could have played a lot better. I don't know how many rushing yards they had, but it was way too many.
"We knew the quarterback would hold the ball, so pass-rushing wise we just wanted to keep fighting. We just kept going and got to make some plays."
North Carolina (8-3, 4-3) won its fourth consecutive game. It has forced 14 turnovers in the four games, with nine interceptions in its past two games and 11 in the past three.
"With our defense, we're always going to make plays," Williams said. "You just don't know whose play it's going to be."
Boston College (7-4, 4-3) lost its first home game on Senior Day.
The foundation of the defensive effort was built in the first half. After building the 21-0 lead, North Carolina lost possession on a fumble by receiver Erik Highsmith, which Boston College recovered at the UNC 29, and then on Yates' first interception, which gave Boston College the ball at the UNC 30.
The defense held both times and forced Boston College to settle for field goals that sliced the lead to 21-6. Coach Butch Davis said he considered the defensive stands crucial to the victory.
"I don't think I've ever been in a game where there were as many sudden-change situations as there were today," Davis said. "The defense played extraordinarily well with the sudden-change situations in the first half. Their ability to go out and hold them to two field goals was monumental."
Yates' struggles continued after halftime. North Carolina was at the Boston College 11 when Yates rolled left and passed to Highsmith, who was in the back of the end zone, but cornerback Roderick Rollins made the interception.
That was the last of Yates' interceptions and the end of North Carolina's turnovers, but Yates said he knew that he had cost his team a shot at taking control of the game.
"The one in the end zone was a completely poor decision by me," he said. "The interceptions were uncalled for."
The Tar Heels got the ball back three plays later when Williams made his second interception and gave them possession at the Eagles' 40. The drive stalled after the Tar Heels reached the 26 because of consecutive 5-yard penalties, and Grant Schallock was forced to punt.
The decision wasn't sealed until just less than five minutes remained. Williams began North Carolina's possession when he made his last interception at the Boston College 40 and returned the ball to the one with 4:42 left. Davis put Houston, his short-yardage specialist, back into the game and let him carry the ball into the end zone.
The lead was 28-13 after Casey Barth's point-after kick. Boston College switched quarterbacks to Mike Marscovetra on its next possession. His first play, a pass, was intercepted by Melvin Williams, which led to a field goal.
"We're still searching for that perfect game," said defensive end E.J. Wilson of North Carolina. "We feel like we really haven't put it all together. But when we do put it all together, it's going to be scary."
UNC will end the regular season on Saturday against N.C. State at Carter-Finley Stadium. Kickoff is at noon.
North Carolina 21 0 0 10 -- 31
Boston College 3 10 0 0 -- 13
First Quarter
UNC--Houston 1 run (Barth kick), 7:33.
UNC--Thomas 20 fumble return (Barth kick), 6:00.
UNC--Burney 30 interception return (Barth kick), 5:14.
BC--FG Aponavicius 28, :29.
Second Quarter
BC--FG Aponavicius 20, 12:28.
BC--Gunnell 2 pass from Shinskie (Aponavicius kick), 1:13.
Fourth Quarter
UNC--Houston 1 run (Barth kick), 4:39.
UNC--FG Barth 29, 1:35.
A--41,272
TEAM STATISTICS
UNC BC
First downs 18 12
Rushes-yards 38-96 30-97
Passing 182 101
Comp-Att-Int 23-34-3 12-30-5
Return Yards 181 22
Punts-Avg. 7-33.7 7-46.3
Fumbles-Lost 1-1 2-1
Penalties-Yards 4-37 3-20
Time of Possession 33:52 26:08
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING--North Carolina, Houston 18-45, Elzy 8-25, Little 4-15, J.White 6-8, Yates 1-3, Boyd 1-0. Boston College, Harris 23-132, Smith 2-9, Shinskie 5-(minus 44).
PASSING--North Carolina, Yates 23-34-3-182. Boston College, Shinskie 12-28-4-101, Marscovetra 0-2-1-0.
RECEIVING--North Carolina, Little 7-69, Highsmith 6-38, Pianalto 5-35, J.White 2-2, Rome 1-22, Elzy 1-14, Boyd 1-2. Boston College, Gunnell 6-60, Pantale 3-24, Harris 2-9, Jarvis 1-8.
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