Memory Lane: The South's Oldest Rivalry

The Hoos and the Heels first butted heads in 1892, and will meet for the 114th time Saturday.  For those of you who've forgotten what its like for Virginia to win a game (its been 11 months), a number of the more recent meetings with North Carolina have resulted in unexpected victories.  So think positive thoughts for Saturday, and step away from the Jack Daniels (well, better keep it close by just in case).  Some of the highlights:

4. 2007: Cedric Peerman rushed for 186 yards, Chris Long snatched a pass out of midair for a highlight-reel int, and Nate Collins batted down a a two-point conversion with less than two minutes to go to preserve a 22-20 victory in Butch Davis' introduction to the rivalry.

3. 2002: The outcome itself wasn't surprising, but that was before North Carolina took a 21-0 lead into the locker room at halftime. Marquis Weeks returned the second half opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown, and QB Matt Schaub took it from there, throwing a pair of TD passes, the second of which put the Cavs ahead 28-21 in the fourth quarter. Virignia scored 37 unanswered points in the second half before a purely cosmetic Heels TD provided for the 37-27 final margin. It was the second biggest comeback in UVA history.

2. 2008: After Virginia rebounded from a poor early season start with back-to-back wins against Maryland and ECU, things were supposed to come crashing back down to earth against No. 18 North Carolina.  The Carolina defense was stout, but the Hoos largely matched them after allowing a TD on the opening drive.  That set up QB Marc Verica to march the Hoos down the field in the last two minutes.  RB Cedric Peerman finished the Hoos first TD drive of the game with a 2-yard TD run with :47 to go to force overtime.  Then, in overtime, Verica set the table again with a 19-yard pass to TE John Phillips.  Peerman closed the deal, and a 16-13 OT win, with another 2-yard TD run.  If you're the YouTube type, click here for game highlights.

1. 1996: It was supposed to be a rout.  Virginia entered the game a respectable 6-3, but highly-ranked UNC was looking to lock up a "Bowl Alliance" bid.  The game was going as expected with the Heels leading 17-3, and knocking on the door again to put the game away.  Then Antawn Harris stepped in front of a pass in the flat and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown.  The shell-shocked Heels never recovered, and lost 20-17.