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Published Tue, Nov 24, 2009 02:00 AM
Modified Tue, Nov 24, 2009 12:38 AM

Heels focus solely on beating Pack

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BY J.P. GIGLIO - staff writer

Tags: college | football | sports | unc | ncsu

CHAPEL HILL -- A hole remains on the checklist of accomplishments for the North Carolina football team's junior class.

It's a class that has produced 13 starters for this season, and UNC's juniors can point to their roles in helping the program qualify for back-to-back bowls for the first time since 1998. They can also tout their contributions in bringing the program back into the national rankings for the first time since 2001, and they also helped end a 20-game losing streak outside the state of North Carolina while scoring important wins over brand-name opponents Virginia Tech, Notre Dame and Miami.

But when it comes to N.C. State, UNC's third-year players are winless in a series that had been dominated by the Tar Heels since 1993. Starting that year with former State coach Mike O'Cain's first season in Raleigh, UNC won 11 of the next 14 matchups.

Since UNC coach Butch Davis and N.C. State coach Tom O'Brien began their tenures in the Triangle in 2007, the Tar Heels are 0-2 in the rivalry. The Heels lost 31-27 in Raleigh in 2007, followed by a 41-10 pasting last year in Chapel Hill.

"I never hated State until we lost to them," UNC junior safety Deunta Williams said Monday. "Last year hurt. Everybody remembers what happened."

Davis said it's more important to remember what went wrong in last year's rout, rather than to use any bruised feelings as motivation.

The Wolfpack's decisive win last season ultimately cost the Heels a share of the Coastal Division title and knocked them down in the ACC bowl order.

Heading into Saturday's game in Raleigh, UNC (8-3, 4-3 ACC) finds itself in a similar bowl position. After four straight wins, the Heels are in contention for the Gator, Champs or Music City bowls.

But first things first, Williams said of a 4-7 Wolfpack team that has won only one ACC game this season.

"We have to beat these guys," said Williams, who had three interceptions in UNC's 31-13 win at Boston College Saturday. "That's the most important thing."

UNC's defense has been the driving force behind the four-game winning streak. The Heels have nine interceptions and four touchdowns on defense the past two weeks and have forced 22 turnovers in the past six games.

Bowl talk has been consistently tabled during the winning streak. And that's how it will stay, junior quarterback T.J. Yates said.

"If anybody looks past this game, that would be a terrible mistake," Yates said.

jp.giglio@newsobserver.com or 919-829-8938

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