CHAPEL HILL -- Miami has never won at Kenan Stadium. North Carolina cornerback Kendric Burney made sure it stayed that way on Saturday.
Burney's three interceptions, including two that were returned for a touchdown, led North Carolina to a 33-24 win over No. 12 Miami. The win, UNC's third straight and seventh of the season, makes the Tar Heels (7-3) bowl eligible for a second straight season.
The Heels are 4-0 against Miami at Kenan, including a 3-0 mark since the Hurricanes joined the ACC in 2004.
Burney returned a 77-yard interception return for a touchdown in the second quarter and had another interception in the fourth quarter that safety Melvin Williams took to the end zone in a wild play.
With about 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter, Burney picked off Miami quarterback Jacory Harris at the UNC 10-yard line and returned it 46 yards but Burney lost control of the ball — actually fumbling it forward to Williams — who caught it in midair and ran the final 44 yards into the end zone for a 30-17 lead.
Harris answered quickly back with a 14-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jimmy Graham, a 2-minute drive which cut UNC's lead to 30-24.
Casey Barth's 33-yard field goal, his fourth of the game, at 1:57 put the game out of reach.
UNC led 23-7 before 10 straight points from Miami. Graig Cooper's 1-yard TD run, after a fourth-and-10 conversion in UNC territory, briefly got the Canes back in the game.
The rest of UNC's points came from Barth and a 29-yard touchdown catch by Greg Little.
UNC scored first on Little's 29-yard touchdown catch on the second play of the second quarter.
The Canes came back on the next possession and drove 72 yards, with a 29-yard screen to Damien Berry setting the table for a 1-yard TD run by Berry to tie the game at 7-7 at 11:44 in the second quarter.
Barth hit from 22 and 42 yards in the second quarter and from 32 in the third.
Miami kicker Matt Bosher, who ran for 26 yards on a fake punt, hit a 39-yarder in the third quarter for the Hurricanes' other points.
Comments
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I love the win...
Sun, 11/15/2009 - 10:49 — Heels20...but we have to remember that this was the same feeling we had after beating ECU. With pride comes the fall. We have to finish strong these next couple weeks so we can hopefully end the regular season at 9-3 and maybe even make an appearance in the Peach Bowl.
Burney was incredible and Yates managed the game well. I'm glad to see we were prepared for this one, but we still have a long way to go before we that offense is in shape.
true
Sun, 11/15/2009 - 11:35 — gvillegatrthe offense (passing gmae) still has to get better for the team finish 3-0.
No Joke
Mon, 11/16/2009 - 15:44 — heelsno1T. J. Yates must get sharper and more consistent with his passing. Granted , he had some nice throws against Miami but he is far too inconsistent. Early in the game, the receivers' looks of frustration were evident and warranted as footballs either whistled far over their helmets or bounced at their cleats. It looks as if Yates never fully recovered from his pre-season frisbee injury. In any event, without our spectacular defense, Miami would have won this game by at least a touchdown.
Also, why can't the Heels find someone who can actually punt the football?
I believe both punters are freshmen...
Tue, 11/17/2009 - 01:16 — UNC1998Davis said at the very start of the year punting was going to be mercurial. Hopefully after a red shirt season CJ Feagles will take after papa. I'm not knocking the one now. He sure can tackle (see VT game).
I was there....
Sat, 11/14/2009 - 22:47 — UNC1998and saw somewhat of a classic. That's strictly because of Burney. He pretty much was UNC's best receiver. Yate struggled in the passing game again. UNC couldn't really run the ball well until it's last drive of the 4th quarter. My prediction of what would lead to a UNC win was off, but I'll take it. Did anyone here watch on TV? Was the stadium loud at all? It got pretty loud when Miami last had the ball as time ran out (atleast where I was sitting). It might have been the loudest I've heard it in a while.
Great game. Looks like
Sat, 11/14/2009 - 22:30 — chrismg1Great game. Looks like Butch Davis stole a little of november TOB's mojo. It would have been nice if a couple of those field goals could have been TD's but a win is a win.
side question: with two wins over ranked teams in the past three weeks does anyone think UNC sneaks back into the top 25? If they do it probably won't be higher than 20.
update to my side question
Sun, 11/15/2009 - 15:37 — chrismg1UNC is #26. by a point.
Rutgers had 145 total points and Carolina had 144.
I was thinking that, too.
Sat, 11/14/2009 - 22:49 — UNC1998UNC's first half wasn't quite as bad as NCSU's last year, but the second half is quite a turnaround. I'm kind of scared to say it, but I like UNC's chances to win out and end up 9-3. By the way, when you beat two ranked teams in 3 weeks and destroy your rival in between....that's a pretty nice string.
Agree
Mon, 11/16/2009 - 12:56 — SurferRight on, and throw in HB's announcement on Friday..... it's good to be a Tar Heel.
Re: UNC's first half wasn't quite as bad as NCSU's last year
Sun, 11/15/2009 - 09:51 — melvinfurdSince UNC led 20-7 at the half, I'm confused as to what you're saying . . .
Go Heels!
The first 6 games are ...
Tue, 11/17/2009 - 01:17 — UNC1998equivalent to the first half of the season. Sorry for any confusion.
zinger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sat, 11/14/2009 - 23:04 — gvillegatr" ... and destory your rival in between ..."
thats as cold as ice!!!!! love it!
get r done
Sat, 11/14/2009 - 22:42 — gvillegatrcalled it. and UNC is back on top of the North Carolina mountain. anyone disagree!?
For now...
Sun, 11/15/2009 - 15:01 — mad_max...no. Still got to take care of business one more time though. And at this point, you know we're gonna be waiting on you. I'm not stupid, I've watched State all year, but I'm still expecting an epic showdown in a couple weeks. Good win yesterday by the way. Lol, see? Even your boys can beat the unstoppable Canes.
UNC's remaining games.
Tue, 11/17/2009 - 01:22 — UNC1998pose different problems. It will be up to the defense to win the next 3 games, for sure. One thing that's going on are the defensive players are keying in on qb tendencies. Another is tackling. I was somewhat surprised at Cooper's ability to shake off tackles. UNC will tighten up on that. It's true for this year that having UNC vs. NCSU as the last game is a good scenario. It will be up to NCSU to stop what might be a train at that point.
Point in time
Tue, 11/17/2009 - 14:18 — SurferAs things currently stand, NCSU is going to need a lot of help to stop anything. If it is a train, you can forget it. If it is a bumbling wagon, perhaps so. Of course all that could change in two weeks. Regardless, I predict that you will see more than one 41-10 sign at the game.
sorry
Sun, 11/15/2009 - 16:41 — gvillegatrat this moment, UNC is on top of the mountain as far as the state of NC goes. if they lose in two weeks in raleigh, they still might be on top of the NC mountain.
I said "no", as in, I don't
Sun, 11/15/2009 - 23:08 — mad_maxI said "no", as in, I don't disagree.