University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Georgia Tech
Tar Heels Fall To Tech, 42-28
September 30, 2000 | Football
Sept. 30, 2000
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Joe Burns rushed for 123 yards and a career-high four touchdowns, two of them in the last four minutes, as Georgia Tech beat North Carolina 42-28 on Saturday.
Burns scored on runs of 1 and 2 yards to give the Yellow Jackets (3-2, 1-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) their third straight victory over the Tar Heels (3-2, 1-2).
North Carolina seemed to have momentum from last week's close win against Marshall, but the Tar Heels couldn't take control of the game after overcoming a 14-point deficit to tie it at 28.
North Carolina's Ronald Curry threw for a career-high 388 yards and two touchdowns and added a 46-yard scoring run early in the fourth to tie the game.
Georgia Tech took advantage of special-teams blunders by North Carolina in the second half. Kerry Watkins came untouched around the left end and tackled punter Blake Ferguson. Three plays later, Burns scored on an 11-yard pass from George Godsey to give Tech a 21-14 edge.
After North Carolina went three-and-out on its next series, the Yellow Jackets scored on Chris Young's blocked punt. Tony Hollings recovered the ball in the end zone for a 28-14 lead with 7:34 remaining in the quarter.
The Tar Heels struck back with long scoring plays. The first came on a 78-yard touchdown pass from Curry to Kory Bailey with 3:03 to play in the quarter. It was the longest scoring reception in Kenan Stadium history by a North Carolina player, but Bailey was lost on the play with an injured hamstring.
North Carolina tied it at 28 with 9:21 to play on Curry's 46-yard draw.
Georgia Tech answered, going on a 12-play, 68-yard scoring drive that ended with Burns' 1-yard run on fourth-and-goal.
After North Carolina went three-and-out on its next series, Burns sealed the game with a 51-yard run to the 2 on third-and-1. Burns scored his fourth touchdown on the next play.
