North Carolina Postgame Notes vs. Tennessee

Dec. 31, 2010

North Carolina Postgame Notes vs. Tennessee
Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl - Dec. 30, 2010

North Carolina is now 11-20-1 all-time against Tennessee and has won two straight over the Volunteers. Carolina won the last meetingbetween the two teams, 22-21, in 1961.

Carolina is now 13-15 all-time in bowl games. The win was UNC's first in a bowl game since beating Auburn, 16-10, in the 2001 Peach Bowl, a victory that was also the Tar Heels' last over an SEC opponent. UNC is 5-5 against current SEC member schools in bowl games.

Tonight's win was UNC's first overtime game since a 16-13 loss at Virginia in 2008. It was Carolina's first overtime win since a season-ending 20-14 victory vs. Duke in 2007.

Senior tailback Shaun Draughn rushed for 160 yards on 23 carries. He had a 58-yard scoring run on Carolina's first possession. The 58-yarder was the longest of his career and the third-longest run by a Tar Heel this season. His previous best was a 44 yard run at Virginia Tech in 2009.

Tonight was the second time this season and the seventh time in his career that Draughn has rushed for 100-or-more yards.

Senior quarterback T.J. Yates completed 23 of 39 attempts for 234 yards and a touchdown. Yates' streak of attempts without an interception came to an end at 106 when he threw a pick in the end zone in the fourth quarter.

Senior cornerback Kendric Burney picked off a pass for the second straight game. It was the 11th of his career.

Senior safety Deunta Williams, who started his 47th career game today, was carted off the field after fracturing his right fibula at the ankle.

Junior linebacker Zach Brown picked off his third pass of the season on a tipped ball and returned it 43 yards to the Tennessee 10-yard line. Carolina converted that turnover into a Casey Barth 28-yard field goal.

Junior place kicker Casey Barth kicked three field goals, including a 23-yard game-winner in the second overtime period. Barth also made field goals of 28 and 39 yards and all three extra point attempts. He finished the season 19 of 22 on field goals and a perfect 38 for 38 on PATs. Barth has made a school-record 71 consecutive extra points and is the ACC active leader in made field goals with 50. The game-winner was Barth's second of his career to end a game. He also kicked a game-winning field goal as time expired to win at Virginia Tech in 2009.

Erik Highsmith's 39-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter was his third of the year and first since the Georgia Tech game (second game of the season). He also had a score against LSU.

Senior tight end/H-back Ryan Taylor led the team with nine catches for 85 yards. He became the UNC single-season leader in receptions by a tight end with 36. The previous mark of 33 was set by Zack Pianalto in 2009.