Oct. 11, 1997
Fifth-ranked Tar Heels Downs Wake Forest
|
|
Jammie Deese scored on a 19-yd reception against UNC. (File photo)
|
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Cornerback Steve Fisher returned a blocked punt for a touchdown
midway through the third quarter as fifth-ranked North Carolina
overcame a sluggish first half to defeat Atlantic Coast
Conference foe Wake Forest, 30-12.
North Carolina (6-0, 3-0 ACC) led 10-6 midway through the third
quarter when strong safety Jomo Legins broke through the middle
of the line and blocked Tripp Moore's punt. Fisher scooped up
the ball and was in the end zone nine yards later to give the
Tar Heels a 17-6 lead.
"On the previous play I had blocked my person and thought that
the next time I could get around him," said Legins on the
blocked punt. "On the block, I shot right threw the middle, was
able to make my man miss and block the punt."
Oscar Davenport's one-yard quarterback sneak TD less than five
minutes later extended the lead to 24-6.
Brian Kucklick connected with Jammie Deese on a 19-yard scoring
strike early in the fourth and, after a failed two-point
conversion, the Demon Deacons were within 24-12.
Jonathan Linton's second touchdown of the game, a two-yard run
with 4:11 to play, capped the scoring. The touchdown was set up
when defensive end Greg Ellis recovered a Kucklick fumble deep
in Wake Forest territory.
"I keep telling everyone that this team has all the ingredients
to be a great football team," said Ellis. "Each week we're just
looking for someone to make big plays. Sometimes I have to make
the, sometimes Dre' (Bly), Chris (Keldorf), Oscar (Davenport) or
whoever, but this football team thrives on big plays."
Linton's four-yard touchdown run 2:25 into the third quarter had
given North Carolina a 10-6 lead.
"Our fourth quarters have been disatrous with so many
turnovers," said Wake Forest head coach Jim Caldwell. "We can't
turn the ball over that many times and expect to win the game,
especially against the number five team in the country."
The first half was a battle of field goals. Wake Forest (2-4,
1-3) took an early lead on Matthew Burdick's 37-yard kick and
went up 6-0 three minutes into the second quarter on a
45-yarder. Josh McGee connected from 28 yards for UNC five
minutes before halftime to cut the deficit in half.
"We respect each or our opponents and expect them to throw
everything at us," said Legins. "We just had to withstand what
they had and wait for our opportunities."
UNC has scored 25 or more points and allowed 13 or less in 13 of
its last 18 games.
North Carolina leads the all-time series, 63-29-2, with wins in
each of the last eight meetings. The Tar Heels have won more
games against Wake Forest than against any other opponent, and
have not lost to the Deacons since a 17-16 victory at Chapel
Hill in 1989.
