North Carolina Holds Off Boston College, Gets 6th Win

Associated Press

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Hakeem Nicks just knew he was going to have a big game. North Carolina didn't need much else to become bowl-eligible for the first time in four... years.

Nicks had three second-quarter touchdown catches and ran for a score in the fourth to help the Tar Heels beat Boston College 45-24 on Saturday, bouncing back from last week's road loss with what coach Butch Davis called "the most complete team game we've probably played" in his two seasons here.

Trimane Goddard added an interception return for a touchdown for the Tar Heels (6-2, 2-2 Atlantic Coast Conference), who fell behind 10-0 in the first quarter before roaring back.

The Tar Heels also got a short touchdown run from Ryan Houston after a long interception return by Kendric Burney, who had two of the team's three picks of BC quarterback Chris Crane.

Everything started with Nicks, who provided the big-play threat missing since receiver Brandon Tate suffered a season-ending knee injury this month. He finished with eight catches for 139 yards -- 127 coming in a 24-point second quarter -- and 31 yards rushing, proving to be a matchup the Eagles (5-2, 2-2) had no answer for all day.more>>