On the worst day of the season for North Carolina's offense, redshirt freshman running back Giovani Bernard managed to accomplish a milestone.

Bernard carried 18 times for 47 yards to reach 1,012 yards for the season. He became the first Tar Heel since Jonathan Linton in 1997 to rush for 1,000 yards.

It wasn't an easy day for Bernard, though, as an inspired N.C. State defense met him frequently in the backfield. He suffered an injured left ankle on a tackle by Dontae Johnson late in the first half, and played hurt in the second.

Bernard averaged 2.6 yards per carry, his lowest mark by far this season.

Despite the pregame animosity stirred up by the coaches, the behavior of both teams and the fans was good.

From the press box it didn't appear as though there were any huge fights in the stands. On the field, there was only a brief scuffle after an N.C. State punt that resulted in unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on the Wolfpack's Mario Carter and the Tar Heels' Dion Guy.

After a game last season in Chapel Hill that resulted in players being ejected, the solid sportsmanship was a welcome development in the rivalry.

This is not something you see every day.

N.C. State coach Tom O'Brien challenged a pass that had been ruled a completion for the Wolfpack - and won.

Officials ruled that offensive tackle Mikel Overgaard had caught a tipped pass 6 yards behind the line of scrimmage in the second quarter. The replay review showed that he hadn't, and N.C. State went on to record a 26-yard field goal by Niklas Sade on the drive for a 10-0 lead.

Ken Tysiac