University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Duke
Tar Heels Turn Back Duke As Time Expires, 23-21
November 23, 2002 | Football
Nov 23, 2002
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By AARON BEARD
Associated Press Writer
DURHAM, N.C. - Dan Orner shook off earlier miscues to kick a 47-yard field goal as time expired Saturday, lifting North Carolina over Duke 23-21 for its 13th straight victory in the cross-state series.
Orner missed two field goals and a PAT in the game, but came through when the Tar Heels (3-9, 1-7 ACC) needed him most.
Darian Durant ran and threw for a touchdown in his first game back in the lineup since being sidelined with a broken thumb against Virginia on Oct. 19. Jacque Lewis rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown.
Alex Wade ran for 138 yards and a touchdown for Duke (2-10, 0-8), which hasn't beaten North Carolina since 1989. That year, the Steve Spurrier-coached lue Devils beat the Tar Heels 41-0 at Kenan Stadium.
It appeared the Blue Devils would end the streak when Adam Smith connected with Senterrio Landrum for a 33-yard touchdown down the right sideline with 53 seconds left. Brent Garber's kick gave Duke a 21-20 lead.
But Durant directed a 45-yard drive, converting a 10-yard pass to Sam Aiken on fourth down with four seconds left to set up Orner's kick.
The win snapped a six-game losing streak for the Tar Heels, who avoided their first 10-loss season and winless ACC slate since 1989.
The teams went into the fourth quarter tied at 14, but the Tar Heels went ahead when Durant found Jawarski Pollock for a 37-yard touchdown pass with 13:36 to play in the fourth. Orner, however, missed the PAT.
The Blue Devils took a 14-7 lead on a 19-yard pass from Smith to Chris Douglas midway through the third quarter.
The Tar Heels answered with a 13-play, 73-yard scoring drive that took up nearly six minutes. The Tar Heels were aided by a pass interference penalty on third down, and Durant kept the drive going by breaking free of Micah Harris in the backfield and completing a 21-yard pass to Bobby Blizzard on another third down.
Durant ended the drive with a 1-yard scoring run.
Wade gained 99 yards in the first half, while Lewis ran for 90.
The Tar Heels struck first, going ahead on Lewis' 1-yard scoring run early in the second quarter to end an eight-play, 67-yard touchdown drive. Lewis touched the ball on every play except for a 4-yard completion from Durant to obby Blizzard.
The Blue Devils tied the game with 35 seconds left in the half, getting a 3-yard scoring run from Wade to end a 13-play, 80-yard scoring drive.
North Carolina had a chance to take the lead at halftime, but Orner's 50-yard field goal went wide right as time expired.
With the win, Carolina gains three points in the annual Carlyle Cup competition between the Tar Heels and Blue Devils. Visit www.carlylecup.com for all the latest Carlyle Cup news.
