Heels' defense seals the win

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. -- In retrospect, North Carolina safety Deunta Williams said Saturday, he probably should have asked coach Butch Davis if he could play tailback with 4:39 left, "just so I could finally get in the end zone."

On his 21st birthday, he - and his defense - earned it.

The junior's third interception against Boston College -- which he left a half-yard shy of the goal line on his 39-yard return -- sealed another extraordinary defense effort, secured UNC's fourth straight victory, 31-13 at Alumni Stadium, and kept the Tar Heels (8-3, 4-3 ACC) in the running for the league's upper-tier bowls.

In all, Carolina's determined 'D' managed six takeaways, including an interception return for a touchdown by cornerback Kendric Burney and a fumble recovery for a score by lineman Cam Thomas. It also held the Eagles (7-4, 4-3), who lost for the first time at home this season, to 198 yards total for the game.

"The defense saved us, they balled out tonight,'' said tailback Ryan Houston, who returned from a thigh injury to rumble into the end zone from less than a yard out to take advantage of Williams' final takeaway.

"They always save us."

It seems that way. During Carolina's current winning streak - its longest since it won five in a row in 2001 - the Tar Heels' defense has grabbed 14 takeaways. Nine of those have resulted in points: four returns for touchdowns by the defense, and four field goals and a touchdown by the offense.

That's been key, quarterback T.J. Yates said, because it has taken some of the pressure off an inconsistent attack. But it's also a reminder that the attack must do more.

"We're not really holding up our end of the bargain on offense,'' said Yates, who had a rough day, finishing 23-for-34 with three interceptions. "If the defense has half the day that they did today, we might have had a lot closer game than it was. But if they can produce [six] turnovers ... and turn a couple of them into touchdowns, it definitely takes a big burden off the offense.

"But it's frustrating, also, because if our offense if hitting on all cylinders, we win that game by a lot more."

UNC took a 21-0 lead within the first 10 minutes of the game after Houston scored on a 1-yard run, Thomas scored his first career touchdown on a fumble that was forced by defensive lineman E.J. Wilson, and Burney made his fourth pick - and second touchdown - in two weeks. The defense continued to dominate when it held BC to field goals after Yates, then wide receiver Erik Highsmith, turned it over.

But UNC's offense squandered Williams' first two interceptions when, leading 21-6 in the second quarter, it opted to go for it on 4th-and-12 and Yates tossed an interception in the end zone. Then, leading 21-13 in the third quarter, Yates tossed and incomplete pass on a 3rd-and 16.

Which was why, when Williams snagged his third pick with 4:42 left in the game, he wanted to get into the end zone, himself.

"I thought this was finally the time I'd get to score,'' he said, grinning. "I saw the [defenders] and I started to dive, and I was like, 'Man, I'll look like a helicopter if I get hit.' I didn't want to put myself in this position."

Instead, he said, he knows he's put himself in a position to get teased by his teammates, particularly Burney, a fellow Jacksonville native.

"Thing is, last year against Boston College, he ragged me all year about getting to the 1-yard line [after an interception],'' Burney said. "I'm looking forward to getting on the plane, he sits right beside me. I'm just going to write on a piece of paper 'one yard line' and hand it to him while he sleeps.'"

Not that Williams - who is still determined to score, someday - really minds. After an 0-3 ACC start, he just wants to keep on winning.

"It's my birthday, and God gave me about three gifts today,'' he said.

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