Heels give Hokies the boot

BLACKSBURG, Va. – Casey Barth kicked a 21-yard field goal on the final play and North Carolina stopped No. 14 Virginia Tech all night in a 20-17 football victory on Thursday night.

The Tar Heels (5-4, 1-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) got their first conference win after forcing a fumble by Ryan Williams at his 24 with 2:02 left and turning it into the winning drive.

The Hokies (5-3, 3-2), who until losing to No. 11 Georgia Tech 12 days ago were in the national championship picture, lost their second straight.

Virginia Tech lost for the first time in six meetings with North Carolina since joining the ACC in 2004.

The Tar Heels held Virginia Tech to 95 rushing yards and limited Williams, the nation’s No. 7 runner (119 yards per game), ineffective for most of the game.

Tydreke Powell caused Williams to fumble for just the second time this season and Deunta Williams recovered, setting the Tar Heels up at the Hokies’ 24. After six carries by Ryan Houston got it to the 4, Barth’s second field goal capped the big upset.