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November 14, 1998

Stats

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Thomas Jones, the Atlantic Coast Conference’sleading rusher, ran for 180 yards and one TD Saturday, and No. 21 Virginia keptthe North Carolina offense out of the end zone en route to a 30-13 victory.

Jones carried 35 of the 47 times Virginia (8-2, 6-2 ACC) ran the ball asVirginia gained 198 yards on the ground. Jones entered the game averaging 118.7yards per game.

The Cavaliers appeared to have the game in hand early, scoring on theirfirst two possessions, then faltered, getting only 3 points on threepossessions inside the Tar Heel 35. The Cavaliers dropped one TD pass and hadanother called back on a holding penalty.

While the offense faltered in the first half, the defense sacked OscarDavenport three times, twice by Darryl Sanders for two fumbles. In addition,the defense picked off a Davenport pass and blocked a 36-yard field-goalattempt.

North Carolina (4-5, 3-3) closed to 17-10 at the half on Steve Fisher’s37-yard interception return and Josh McGee’s 27-yard field goal to end thehalf. The Tar Heels added a 28-yard field goal in the third quarter and keptVirginia from scoring as the Cavaliers missed field goals from 41 and 37 yards.

Aaron Brooks hit Kevin Coffey on a 33-yard pass to set up Todd Braverman’s40-yard field goal in the fourth. On the next drive, Jones gained 20 yards onsix carries to setup a 37-yard Braverman field goal.

Brooks then went back to Coffey for a 43-yard TD pass with 3:06 left. Brooksfinished 10-for-25 for 281 yards and one interception. Terrence Wilkins hadfour catches for 167 yards, including a career-best 73-yarder that set up theCavaliers first score.

The game marked the first appearance in Virginia by Tar Heels quarterbackRonald Curry since recanting on his verbal commitment to Virginia. The formerVirginia high school standout was used sparingly, but each time he entered thegame, the fans came to their feet to boo.

Curry, the Tar Heels second-leading rusher, managed only 11 yards and was3-for-9 for 25 yards and one interception. As the game wound down, the fansbegan caustically cheering, “Curry, Curry, Curry.”

Davenport was 18-for-33 for 227 yards as North Carolina managed only 54yards on the ground.
By D.W. PAGE
Associated Press Writer

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