NORTH CAROLINA NOTES VS. GEORGIA TECH - SEPTEMBER 18, 2004 - University of North Carolina Athletics

Sept. 18, 2004

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With Saturday's win over Georgia Tech, the Tar Heels have won consecutive games at Kenan Stadium for the first time since beating Duke and SMU at home to close out the 2001 season. The win also snaps a six-game losing streak to the Yellow Jackets. UNC last defeated Tech in 1997 and last won at home in the series in 1996. Tech had won three in a row at UNC.
Carolina starts the year 2-0 at home for the first time since 2001.
Senior tailback Jacque Lewis rushed for a career-best 161 yards and two touchdowns on 161 carries for his second 100-yard game this season and the third of his career. Lewis ran for 102 at Duke in 2002 for his only 100-yard game entering 2004. Saturday also marked the first two-touchdown game for Lewis.
Lewis had 123 vs. William and Mary in the opener. That was his previous career rushing best.
The 21-point margin of victory was Carolina's largest in an ACC game since beating Duke, 52-17 (35 point margin) on Nov. 17, 2001.
The 34 points scored by the Tar Heels were their most in a game against Georgia Tech since a 41-3 UNC victory in Atlanta in 1993. It is the most points scored by Carolina in Chapel Hill against the Yellow Jackets since a 41-0 UNC win in 1982.
The 21-point margin of victory was Carolina's largest against Georgia Tech since the 41-3 win in 1993.
With his third quarter touchdown pass to Adarius Bowman, Darian Durant set a school record for touchdowns responsible for with 65 (55 pass, 10 rush). The previous mark of 64 was held by the legendary Charlie ³Choo-Choo² Justice, who played for the Tar Heels from 1946-49.
Chad Scott had a 40-yard run tonight, the longest of his career. His previous long was 22 against William and Mary.
Carolina forced five Georgia Tech turnovers Saturday, its highest total since forcing five at Arizona State in 2002. Carolina had three interceptions (two by Jacoby Watkins and one by Fred Sparkman) for the first time since the 2000 Duke game.
Sophomore Jacoby Watkins' second quarter interception of a Reggie Ball pass was the Tar Heels' first in the last 12 games dating back to Carolina's loss at Wisconsin last season. Then-safety Mahlon Carey had two picks against the Badgers in the second quarter game. The interception was the first by a Tar Heel cornerback since the 2002 game at Arizona State, a span of 22 games. Watkins also added a second interception in the end zone in the fourth quarter.
Freshman Hilee Taylor's 21-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown was Carolina's first fumble recovery for a score since Julius Peppers had a 12-yard return at Wake Forest in 2000.
Taylor's sack of Reggie Ball on the final play of the game was Carolina's first sack of the season.
Taylor's score marked the first time a Tar Heel has scored a TOUCHDOWN on the final snap of the game since Na Brown caught a touchdown pass from Oscar Davenport in overtime to beat NC State, 37-34, on Nov. 28, 1998, in Charlotte.
Greg Warren's second quarter fumble recovery off a Reuben Houston punt return marked the Tar Heels' first fumble recovery since last season's win over Wake Forest, a span of five games.
Two more true freshmen, Cori Powell (special teams) and Ben Lemming (offensive tackle), played Saturday against Georgia Tech. The Tar Heels have now played a total of 11 true freshmen, one shy of last year's mark of 12.
Red-shirt freshman Charleston Gray made his first career start at left guard. Kyle Ralph, who started the first two games at left guard, moved to right guard in place of the injured Skip Seagraves.
Carolina's 7-6 halftime lead was the Tar Heels' first since leading 14-10 at Georgia Tech last season. UNC did not allow a touchdown in the first half, marking the first half the Tar Heels have not allowed a touchdown since the 2002 game at Virginia.

NORTH CAROLINA NOTES VS. GEORGIA TECH - SEPTEMBER 18, 2004

Players Mentioned

Adarius Bowman

Mahlon Carey

Darian Durant

Ben Lemming

Jacque Lewis

Cori Powell

Kyle Ralph

Chad Scott

Skip Seagraves

Fred Sparkman

Hilee Taylor

Greg Warren

Jacoby Watkins

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