DATE: Sunday, September 28, 1997            TAG: 9709290238

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: CHAPEL HILL, N.C.                 LENGTH:   77 lines

UNC'S 45-POINT BLITZ BURIES U.VA.

North Carolina introduced Virginia to the other side of a great comeback Saturday.

The fifth-ranked Tar Heels (4-0, 2-0 ACC) spotted the Cavaliers a 20-3 lead, then scored 45 unanswered points for a convincing 48-20 victory that enhanced their hopes for an ACC title and national championship.

``It's the greatest feeling to be able to come back like that after what happened at their place last year,'' UNC quarterback Chris Keldorf said.

What happened last year was the Cavaliers trailed 17-3 before rallying in the fourth period for a 20-17 win that knocked the Tar Heels out of a possible major bowl bid.

UNC fans watched in horror in the first half when it appeared the unranked Cavaliers (1-2, 0-1 ACC) might again dampen their lofty expectations.

The Cavaliers' defense dominated early, scoring the first touchdown on a blocked punt by Anthony Poindexter and setting up one of two John Allen Roberts field goals with a fumble recovery.

Momentum quickly shifted after North Carolina coach Mack Brown decided to quit trying to run the ball and let his quarterbacks throw.

Oscar Davenport, who left the game in the second half with a knee injury, completed five passes and scrambled 19 yards during the Heels' first touchdown drive that ended 81 seconds before halftime,

Virginia coach George Welsh said he didn't detect a problem with his team during intermission, but the Cavs were never in the second half..

``If we play like we did in the first half we could win any game,'' Welsh said, ``but if we play like we did the second half we could lose the rest of them.''

Perhaps Virginia's worst mistake was the one that allowed UNC to tie the score at 20.

Virginia tailback Thomas Jones was supposed to be the target of a pass but thought another play had been called and left the field.

That left Virginia with only 10 players on the field. Quarterback Aaron Brooks flipped a short pass that UNC cornerback Dre' Bly intercepted and returned 17 yards for the tying touchdown.

``It was just miscommunication,'' Jones said.

For the Heels, it was sweet inspiration.

``That interception was a big, big play,'' fullback Deon Dyer said.

``I think it took the life out of them and showed us we had the players to come back and win the game.''

If that didn't do it, Brooks' fumble on the Virginia 26 to begin the next series did.

Seven plays later Davenport's 10-yard touchdown pass to Alge Crumpler put UNC on top for the first time, 27-20, at 7:34 in the third period.

Davenport sustained the injury early in the fourth period and Keldorf came in to direct the Heels' final three touchdown drives.

There was no word on how long Davenport might be out. It was the same knee he injured two years ago against Clemson.

Keldorf, who lost his starting job to Davenport last week, scored on a 1-yard run and passed 50 yards to Octavus Barnes for another score. He then watched Dyer ramble 31 yards for his first college touchdown.

Davenport and Keldorf combined to complete 27 of 40 passes without an interception.

Brooks completed only seven passes for 44 yards and the key interception to Bly.

The best offensive performance by a Virginia back came in the second period from freshman Antwoine Womack. He carried six straight times for 72 yards.

After a 21-yard run to the UNC 7, Womack was replaced and three plays later Brooks scored from the half-yard line.

Womack did not return to the game until late in the third period and Viginia down, 27-20.

``I wasn't going to ask coach to put me back in the game,'' Womack said. ``That was his decision and I respect it. He is always right.''

Welsh said he felt Womack was winded in the first half, but did not explain why it took so long to get him back in the game.

Womack, like the other Cavs, was not as effective in the second half but still finished with 108 yards on 15 carries.

Jones gained 37 yards on 14 carries. ILLUSTRATION: Photo

HUY NGUYEN/ ...quarterback Aaron Brooks...

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