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Tar Heels Rally Past Notre Dame

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The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 12, 2008

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Cameron Sexton scored on a leaping 4-yard keeper to start the fourth quarter, Quan Sturdivant returned an interception for a touchdown and No. 22 North Carolina rallied to beat Notre Dame 29-24 on Saturday.

Ryan Houston scored on a short run for the Tar Heels (5-1), who are off to their best start since winning the first eight games of the 1997 season. Hakeem Nicks added nine catches for 141 yards and freshman walk-on Casey Barth kicked three field goals, helping North Carolina rally from an 11-point first-half deficit and beat the Fighting Irish for just the second time in 18 meetings.

This one came down to a wild finish, with the Irish (4-2) reaching North Carolina's 7-yard line in the final seconds before officials ruled after a review that receiver Michael Floyd fumbled the ball after a catch. Trimane Goddard recovered the ball, giving it back to North Carolina for a joyous kneel-down with 3 seconds left.

VIRGINIA 35,

EAST CAROLINA 20

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - Cedric Peerman ran for 173 yards and two long touchdowns, and Virginia turned back a second-half East Carolina rally for victory.

East Carolina (3-3) converted a pair of interceptions into an early 6-0 lead. But Peerman rallied the Cavaliers (3-3) with scoring runs of 78 and 60 yards, and the rout was on.

Or so it seemed after Mikell Simpson added a 5-yard touchdown run to cap a 61-yard drive, and Marc Verica connected with Kevin Ogletree on a 30-yard touchdown pass for a 28-6 halftime lead.

GEORGIA TECH 10,

GARDNER-WEBB 7

ATLANTA - Derrick Morgan tipped a 43-yard field goal attempt by Gardner-Webb's Ryan Gates with three seconds left, helping Georgia Tech squeak out an unexpectedly difficult victory over an FCS opponent.

Despite a ground game that ranked fifth in the nation, the Yellow Jackets (5-1) rushed for just 79 yards, nearly 210 under their average as third-string quarterback Calvin Booker struggled in Coach Paul Johnson's triple-option attack.

Starter Josh Nesbitt was in uniform, but took no snaps for the second straight game because of a strained hamstring. Second-string quarterback Jaybo Shaw did not dress after suffering a concussion against Duke last Saturday.

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