Sat Oct 11 19:24:46 2008

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No luck for the Irish: UNC edges ND

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Chapel Hill, NC (Sports Network) - Quan Sturdivant highlighted an outstanding second half for North Carolina's defensive unit with an interception return for a touchdown, as the 22nd-ranked Tar Heels topped the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 29-24, in a thrilling contest that went down to the wire.

The victory was Carolina's first against the Irish since 1960 and second in 18 meetings between the schools.

Cameron Sexton played mistake-free ball behind center, hitting 18-of-32 passes for 201 yards with a rushing touchdown for North Carolina (5-1), which has won three straight games since a 20-17 loss to Virginia Tech.

Hakeem Nicks hauled in a game-high nine balls for 141 yards, while Shaun Draughn logged 91 yards rushing on 17 carries for the victors.

Jimmy Clausen threw for a career-high 383 yards and a pair of touchdowns but threw two picks and lost a key fumble as Notre Dame (4-2) failed to move to 5-1 for just the second time since 1998.

Golden Tate and Michael Floyd each caught a touchdown to go with 121 and 93 yards receiving, respectively.

The Irish had a chance to steal the victory in the waning seconds, as Floyd caught a 26-yard pass from Clausen on a crossing pattern down to the Carolina 7. But the highly touted freshman fumbled the ball while apparently trying to pitch and Carolina recovered to seal the victory.