RALEIGH - Jamelle Eugene limped off the field early in the third quarter and took N.C. State's offense with him. While the sophomore running back was on the sidelines, North Carolina cut the Wolfpack's 14-point halftime lead in half.

Already down two running backs, State couldn't afford to lose Eugene, who was itching to get back into the game.

"Don't worry, boys," Eugene told Wolfpack guard Kalani Heppe. "I'll be back there and we're going to win this."

Eugene was right. He returned, and State won the game, ending a three-game losing streak in the series with his 1-yard touchdown run with 1:41 left in the game.

Eugene, who started the season third on the depth chart, rushed for a career-high 159 yards on 32 carries with three touchdowns.

"It was a phenomenal game," Pack coach Tom O'Brien said. "He has been carrying a heavy, heavy load."

N.C. State has been without Toney Baker (knee) since the opener on Sept. 2 and Andre Brown (broken foot) since the Florida State game on Oct. 6. Saturday was Eugene's third 100-yard game since Brown's injury. Not that Eugene ever considered himself behind Baker and Brown on the depth chart.

"I felt like anyone of us could have done the job," Eugene said. "We didn't see each other as third string or [Andre] as first. It just depended on each week who would come out and play."

Eugene showed up Saturday, especially when State needed him in the fourth quarter, trailing 27-24. After defensive tackle DeMario Pressley's interception set up State at UNC's 25-yard line, Eugene carried the ball seven times on an eight-play drive.

"He's a thoroughbred," Heppe said. "He just keeps going and going."

On the seventh carry of the drive, Eugene busted over the right side of the line for the winning score. It was his easiest carry of the afternoon. He wasn't touched. On his first two touchdowns in the first half, he broke multiple tackles to get into the end zone.

After rushing for 91 yards in the first half with touchdowns of 4 and 5 yards, Eugene sprained his ankle on one of his six catches (for 33 yards) in the third quarter.

"I caught a pass and the ankle rolled under me," said Eugene, who has 25 receptions in the past five games.

The Wolfpack training staff unwrapped the tape, examined his left ankle and then rewrapped the cleat and ankle, a process that cost Eugene two series on offense.

"They just wanted to get a new wrap on it and get it secured so I wouldn't roll it again," Eugene said.

State gained just 23 total yards in the third quarter without Eugene. He carried the ball 13 times in the fourth quarter for 55 yards.

Without him, State's seniors wouldn't have closed their careers with a win over the Tar Heels.

"To see the smiles on the senior's faces felt good," Eugene said.

Everyone in red at Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday agreed.