Posted on December 22nd, 2009 by David Whipkey

By David Whipkey

The last time Pitt and North Carolina met on the football field, President Bill Clinton was wrapping up his final term in the White House, Mario Lemieux was preparing to return to the ice for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Three Rivers Stadium was still serving as host for both the Panthers and Steelers.

The Tar Heels held off a young talented Pitt team 20-17 in November 2000 at Three Rivers Stadium. Pitt would overcome the loss and finish the regular season with a 7-4 record and earn a berth in the Insight Bowl.

But the Heels were kings on this mild early November afternoon in Pittsburgh. Current Steelers Willie Parker and Jeff Reed were key contributors to the Tar Heels win.

After Nick Lotz gave the Panthers an early 3-0 lead courtesy of his 39-yard first quarter field goal, the Heels went to work.

Parker’s eight-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter gave North Carolina their first lead. Reed’s 32-yard field goal extended the Tar Heels lead to 10-3 midway through the second quarter.

Pitt answered Reed’s field goal when quarterback John Turman found receiver Antonio Bryant behind the Tar Heels secondary for an 84-yard scoring toss. But the Heels responded strongly when Reed hit a 32-yard field goal right before the end of the half and gave the visitors a 13-10 halftime lead.

Parker struck again in the fourth quarter when he broke off a 25-yard run and hauled in two passes for 45 yards from quarterback Ronald Curry during a 98-yard touchdown march. Anthony Saunders capped the drive with a two-yard scoring plunge and gave the Tar Heels a 20-10 lead midway through the final frame.

Pitt cut the deficit to 20-17 when back-up quarterback David Priestley found Lateef Grim in the end zone from 19-yards out late in the quarter.

Tar Heels defensive end Julius Peppers ended the contest with under a minute remaining when he sacked Priestley on fourth down.

Parker led the Tar Heels in rushing with 61 yards on 16 carries. Bryant was the offensive star for both teams 212 yards receiving on eight receptions.