Focus On UNC
Location: Chapel Hill, N.C.Leading Passer: T.J. Yates (228.4 yards per game)Leading Rusher: Johnny White (42.6 yards per game)Leading Receiver: Hakeem Nicks (78 yards per game)Fun Fact: N.C. State has defeated UNC at home only once (2003) since it won 24-7 at Carter-Finley in 1991.
Source: UNC and N.C. State
Previous games against UNC
1. UNC 30, N.C. State 24; Oct. 9, 2004
Wolfpack running back T.A. McLendon rushed for 117 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries in Chapel Hill, but the game will always be remembered for the one yard McLendon didn’t get. With 30 seconds left to play, officials ruled McLendon scored a touchdown, but after convening, the game officials reversed the call, ruling McLendon was down at the one-yard line. On the next play, McLendon fumbled to end the game.
2. N.C. State 34, UNC 17; Oct. 12, 2002
Running back T.A. McLendon rushed for 164 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries on the road to power the Pack to its second win in three tries against the Tar Heels. State improved to 7-0 and entered the top 10 of the ESPN/USA Today Poll at No. 10.
3. N.C. State 38, UNC 20; Oct. 14, 2000
Freshman quarterback Philip Rivers passed for 202 yards and caught a touchdown pass as the Wolfpack snapped a seven-game skid to UNC. Running backs Ray Robinson and Cotra Jackson combined to rush for 216 yards.
Last time N.C. State played UNC
On Nov. 18, 2006, N.C. State traveled to UNC hoping to snap out of a five-game funk. It was not to be, as the Tar Heels took down the Wolfpack 23-9. State had nine penalties for 82 yards and four turnovers in falling to the Heels for the third consecutive year. Redshirt junior quarterback Daniel Evans completed 22-of-41 passes for 261 yards and three interceptions. Three John Deraney field goals were all the Pack could muster.
Ernest Jones Onplaying North Carolina
We’ve always been taught to despise Carolina blue. Every time we look up into the sky, we see it and it’s a reminder. We’ve got to make a name for ourselves as the standout program in the state. We have to take possession as North Carolina’s premier team.
– Compiled by Langdon Morris
Following the 2007 ACC Race
Did you Know?N.C. State’s longest winning streak against UNC is five games (1988-1992). UNC’s longest streak against State is nine games (1943-1955).
Standings
AtlanticTeam ACC OverallBoston College 4-1 8-1 Clemson 4-2 7-2 Wake Forest 4-2 6-3 Florida State 3-3 6-3 N.C. State 2-3 4-5 Maryland 1-4 4-5
CoastalTeam ACC OverallVirginia 5-1 8-2Virginia Tech 4-1 7-2 North Carolina 2-3 3-6 Miami 2-3 5-4 Georgia Tech 2-4 5-4 Duke 0-6 1-8 Source: ACC
Schedule
Wake Forest @ Clemson, noon, ESPN2Georgia Tech @ Duke, 1 p.m.Florida State @ Virginia Tech, 3:30 p.m., ABCVirginia @ Miami, 7:15 p.m., ESPN2Boston College @ Maryland, 8 p.m., ABC
Where State Stands
Well, State is no longer in last place in the Atlantic division. The Wolfpack still needs a miracle to make the ACC championship game, but a respectable conference finish is no longer out of reach. Not to mention, winning two of the last three games will make State bowl eligible for the first time since 2005.
On the Road to Jacksonville
Boston College and Virginia remain the leaders of their respective divisions; however, thanks to recent losses, the leads have grown tenuous with each maintaining only half-game leads over the second-place teams in the divisions. Clemson, second place in the Atlantic, actually controls its own destiny, like Boston College. If Clemson can win out, including a win over the Eagles next week, the Tigers would advance to the title game. Virginia (5-1 ACC) and Virginia Tech (4-1 ACC) may be headed for a season-ending clash to determine which team advances to the ACC title game.
