Deacons spank Tar Heels

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Posted 8:05AM on Sunday, October 27, 2002

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - His first 100-yard rushing game of the season and a shutout over North Carolina is going to cost Tarence Williams a lot of money. Williams ran for 101 yards Saturday as Wake Forest shut out North Carolina for the first time since 1966 with a 31-0 victory, then immediately starting planning the celebration. ``I am so happy about this, it is so special,'' Williams said. ``The offensive line, I owe them all a steak dinner. I don't know where I am going to get the money from, but I am going to get it somewhere.'' Williams became Wake's first 100-yard rusher this season, leading the Demon Deacons (5-4, 3-3 ACC) to a total 247 yards rushing. It made for the most lopsided Wake Forest win in series history since a 39-7 victory in 1951. The Demon Deacons have now won two straight over North Carolina (2-6, 0-4) and beat the Tar Heels at home for the first time since 1988. ``I always had a thing for North Carolina because I am from (Wilmington) and I wasn't highly recruited by them,'' Williams said. ``So every time we beat them its special, and a shutout, that's really special.'' It was devastating for the Tar Heels and coach John Bunting, who slowly walked to the locker room and stood silently by the door watching his players pass through it. ``It's embarrassing,'' he said when North Carolina athletic director Dick Baddour patted him on the back. ``I don't have much to say about this game,'' Bunting said. ``I don't know where this team goes from here.'' The Deacons, who dominated Clemson last week by rolling up 523 total yards, only to commit five late turnovers and lose 32-23, ran all over North Carolina beginning with their first drive. Wake Forest marched down the field and found the end zone when James MacPherson rolled out to his left and scrambled around for at least 10 seconds while looking for a receiver. Ray Thomas slid behind the defense and frantically waved to MacPherson, who found him alone for a 17-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead. It was just the second touchdown of Thomas' career and first since 2000 for the senior tight end. ``It feels amazing, words can't express it'' Thomas said. ``A team like UNC, a big rivalry, at home in front of our crowd. It was one of the best games we've played.'' The Deacons continued to roll from there, adding a 30-yard field goal from Matt Wisnosky and MacPherson's 32-yard TD pass to Jason Anderson to go up 17-0 at halftime. Ovie Mughelli scored on a 2-yard run in the third quarter and Chris Barclay had a 9-yard TD run to cap the scoring in the third quarter. Wake Forest was so dominant, the Deacons weren't even forced to punt until eight seconds were left in the third quarter. The Tar Heels, who have lost three straight, were almost comical: Defensive linemen Tony Pigford and Darryl Grant tripped over each other and fell down as they were switching places on the line in the third quarter. ``Right now there are some heads down in the locker room,'' said Madison Hedgecock, who moved from fullback to linebacker this week. ``But we've got to keep working and we cannot give up on the season.'' North Carolina was without quarterback Darian Durant, the ACC's leader in total offense, who was lost for the season when he broke his thumb last week. So C.J. Stephens, a transfer from Florida, made his first career start and was 17-of-27 for 221 yards and an interception. The Tar Heels managed 312 total yards but lost a fumble and came up empty on their only scoring opportunity when Dan Orner missed 32-yard field goal attempt on their first possession. ``We have no choice but to keep fighting,'' Stephens said. ``Laying down won't get us anywhere."