Around the country: Tar Heels grab elusive first victory

T.J. Yates threw a go-ahead third-quarter touchdown and North Carolina’s defense made two late stands to lead the undermanned Tar Heels (1-2) to a 17-13 victory over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Saturday in Piscataway, N.J.

Yates gave North Carolina the lead with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Taylor as the Tar Heels avoided their first 0-3 start since 2003.

Mississippi State 24, Georgia 12: Chris Relf rushed for 97 yards and threw for 135 yards and a touchdown as the Mississippi State Bulldogs (2-2, 1-2 Southeastern Conference) beat the Georgia Bulldogs (1-3, 0-3) in Starkville, Miss., ending a nine-game losing streak in the series dating back to 1974.

North Carolina State 45, Georgia Tech 28: Russell Wilson passed for a career-high 368 yards and three touchdowns and the Wolfpack (4-0, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) turned back the Yellow Jackets (2-2, 1-1) in Atlanta.

Virginia Tech 19, Boston College 0: Tyrod Taylor completed 16 of 21 passes for 237 yards and Chris Hazley kicked four field goals to help the Hokies (2-2, 1-0 ACC) blank the Eagles (2-1, 0-1) in Boston. It was Tech’s first shutout since 2006 and BC’s first at home since 1998.

Tennessee 32, Alabama-Birmingham 29 (2OT): Matt Simms threw a 25-yard TD pass to Denarius Moore on the opening play of the second overtime and the Volunteers (2-2) held off the Blazers (1-3) in Knoxville, Tenn.

Toledo 31, Purdue 20: Austin Dantin rushed for two touchdowns and passed for two more to lead the visiting Rockets (3-1) past the Boilermakers (2-2) – winning in West Lafayette, Ind., for the first time since 1992.

Army 35, Duke 21: Brian Cobbs ran for two first-half scores and the Black Knights (3-1) converted four turnovers into touchdowns to beat the Blue Devils (1-3) in Durham, N.C.

Army snapped a seven-game losing streak against ACC teams.

Air Force 20, Wyoming 14: Tim Jefferson ran 7 yards for the decisive score late in the fourth quarter and Jared Tew ran for 136 yards and a TD to lead the Falcons (3-1, 2-0 Mountain West Conference) over the Cowboys (1-3, 0-1) in Laramie, Wyo.