Heels search for positives

RALEIGH -- With N.C. State quarterback Russell Wilson in no mood to make donations to the cause, North Carolina's defense finally couldn't score points Saturday.

That unusual development, in turn, put the bulk of the Tar Heels' pressure on quarterback T.J. Yates and an offensive unit that had spent most of the past month simply trying not to break things and trip friends.

To the surprise of at least some and probably many, Yates responded favorably. The 28-27 State win and Wilson's heroics meant the Tar Heels couldn't avoid a stinging upset and a third straight loss in the rivalry.

But Yates, who frequently struggled during the previous 11 games, had one of his best performances ever, completing 13 of 19 passes for 280 yards and two long touchdowns to freshman Jheranie Boyd. Yates did throw one interception, but it occurred on what amounted to a desperation heave with virtually no time remaining on Carolina's final possession and deep in its own territory.

"I thought we did a good job throwing today," Yates said. "Their secondary is a little inexperienced and young, and we came in thinking we might be able to get some receivers behind them. The long ball was there, but you have to give State a lot of credit. They kept fighting back all game."

By the time Wilson finished working over the Carolina defense for 259 yards and four touchdown passes, Tar Heels coach Butch Davis probably wished he had ordered more deep probing by Yates. After leading 17-7 early and 24-14 at halftime, the Tar Heels gradually allowed the Wolfpack to take and keep the momentum.

After State got the lead at 28-27 early in the fourth quarter, Yates was able to drive the offense deep enough for a shot at recovering the lead with less than five minutes remaining. But a 12-yard loss on an end-around run by Boyd left the Heels attempting a 38-yard field goal with 4:44 to go. Casey Barth's kick was blocked, and the prized defense then was unable to stop State until the final 28 seconds.

"T.J. had a good day. It was one of his better games," Davis said. "Some of our big plays were the result of him making something happen."

For Davis, whose team ends the regular season 8-4 overall and 4-4 in the ACC, it was yet another frustrating experience in a rivalry series that Wolfpack coach Tom O'Brien has ruled in their three seasons. Nothing could have saved State (5-7, 2-6) from a fourth straight losing record and an endless list of "what ifs" to mull between now and opening day 2010.

While Carolina will be moving on to a second straight bowl - possibly the Music City in Nashville, Tenn., against a Southeastern Conference opponent - State definitely salvaged what it could from a tormenting season. A season-ending win over the Heels can't make up for all of the misfortune, but it eased a lot of pain.

"It's very disappointing and frustrating. ... Give State the credit, but we didn't play very well today," Davis said. "We gave them opportunities."

The loss will send Carolina into the bowl game on a down note, and there's a limit to how long fans will disregard Davis' losing streak to State. But for Yates, there's a glimmer of new hope.

After an awful game against State last season in Chapel Hill, Yates rebounded to have a strong showing in a bowl loss to West Virginia. Based on his play Saturday, there's reason to think he could do it again. It was one of the few positives the Heels could take away from a long afternoon in Carter-Finley Stadium.

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