University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Wake Forest
Wake Forest Defeats UNC, 31-0
October 26, 2002 | Football
Oct 26, 2002
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By JENNA FRYER
AP Sports Writer
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - James MacPherson threw for two touchdowns as Wake Forest shut out North Carolina for the first time since 1966 with a 31-0 victory Saturday.
Tarence Williams became Wake's first 100-yard rusher this season by gaining 101 yards, and the Demon Deacons (5-4, 3-3 ACC) totaled 247 yards rushing.
It made for the most lopsided Wake Forest win in series history since a 39-7 victory in 1951.
The Demon Deacons have now won two straight over North Carolina (2-6, 0-4) and beat the Tar Heels at home for the first time since 1988.
The Deacons, who dominated Clemson last week by rolling up 523 total yards, only to commit five late turnovers and lose 32-23, ran all over North Carolina beginning with their first drive.
Wake Forest marched down the field and found the end zone when MacPherson rolled out to his left and scrambled around for at least 10 seconds while looking for a receiver.
Ray Thomas slid behind the defense and frantically waved to MacPherson, who found him alone for a 17-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead. It was just the second touchdown of Thomas' career and first since 2000 for the senior tight end.
The Deacons continued to roll from there, adding a 30-yard field goal from Matt Wisnosky and MacPherson's 32-yard TD pass to Jason Anderson to go up 17-0 at halftime.
Ovie Mughelli scored on a 2-yard run in the third quarter and Chris Barclay had a 9-yard TD run to cap the scoring in the third quarter.
Wake Forest was so dominant, the Deacons weren't even forced to punt until eight seconds were left in the third quarter.
North Carolina was without quarterback Darian Durant, the ACC's leader in total offense, who was lost for the season when he broke his thumb last week.
So C.J. Stephens, a transfer from Florida, made his first career start and was 17-of-27 for 221 yards and an interception.
The Tar Heels managed 312 total yards but lost a fumble and came up empty on their only scoring opportunity when Dan Orner missed 32-yard field goal attempt on their first possession.
