SOUTH ROUNDUP : North Carolina Stops Jones, Georgia Tech

North Carolina finally found a strategy to beat Shawn Jones--get to him early and then play keep-away.

Jones had led 19th-ranked Georgia Tech to two victories and a tie in the last three years against the Tar Heels.

But on Saturday the Tar Heels intercepted Jones twice in the first two minutes and proceeded to beat the Yellow Jackets, 26-14, at Chapel Hill, N.C., to move into bowl contention for the first time since 1986.

“We finally conquered him,” said North Carolina linebacker Jonathan Perry. “But Shawn Jones is probably the toughest competitor I’ve faced. The man has a heart of a lion.”

Jones completed only 11 of 27 passes for 106 yards. The Yellow Jackets were held to 175 total yards by the Tar Heel defense.

Moreover, the Tar Heels dominated time of possession and held the ball for more than 11 minutes of the final quarter--when Jones is usually at his best.

Jones, who earlier in the season had a streak of 122 passes without an interception, was picked off by Bracey Walker and Kerry Mock on Georgia Tech’s first two possessions.

The Tar Heels, 6-2 overall and 3-2 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, turned the interceptions into 10 points and led thereafter, dropping the Yellow Jackets to 4-3 and 3-3.

No. 23 North Carolina State 20, No. 18 Clemson 6--Terry Jordan brought North Carolina State’s offense to life with a fourth-quarter touchdown pass, leading the Wolfpack at Raleigh, N.C.

With the score tied, 6-6, after three quarters, Clemson moved from the Wolfpack 46 to the 29 under the direction of its third quarterback, freshman Patrick Sapp. Clemson had lost starter Richard Moncrief to a recurring hip injury and Louis Solomon was sidelined because of strained knee ligaments.

But Rudy Harris fumbled and Mike Reid recovered for N.C. State with 14:46 to play, and Jordan directed the Wolfpack on an 82-yard drive that lasted 4 1/2 minutes. Jordan found Reggie Lawrence at the goal line for a four-yard scoring pass and a 13-6 lead with 10:19 remaining.

North Carolina State is 6-2-1 and 3-2 in the ACC. Clemson is 4-3 and 2-3.

No. 24 Virginia 33, William & Mary 7--Jerrod Washington rushed for 197 yards in 21 carries and Kevin Brooks had 124 in 17 to lead the Cavaliers past Division I-AA William & Mary (6-1) at Charlottesville, Va.

The Cavaliers (6-2) held William & Mary (6-1) to three rushing yards in the first half, none in the third quarter and 27 overall.

Memphis State 30, Tulsa 25--Steve Matthews threw two touchdown passes to Isaac Bruce and Larry Porter ran for 133 yards in 19 carries at Tulsa, Okla., as the Tigers (4-3) won their fourth consecutive game.

Matthews teamed with Bruce on a 66-yard scoring pass play just before halftime, then again on a 41-yarder in the third quarter to put the Tigers ahead, 27-10. Tulsa is 2-6.

Maryland 27, Duke 25--John Kaleo threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to Marcus Badgett as time expired as the Terrapins defeated the Blue Devils (2-5, 0-4) at Durham, N.C., to escape the ACC cellar.

Kaleo, the conference’s total offense leader, connected on two long passes to drive the Terrapins (2-6, 1-4) 89 yards in the final 24 seconds.

Kaleo completed 30 of 45 passes for 378 yards and two touchdowns.

Wake Forest 23, Army 7--Reserve tailback Ned Moultrie rushed for a career-high 149 yards in 20 carries and scored a touchdown to lead Wake Forest (4-3) past Army (2-4) at Winston-Salem, N.C.

Southern Mississippi 31, Cincinnati 17--Perry Carter returned one of his two interceptions 59 yards for a touchdown at Hattiesburg, Miss., as the Golden Eagles (5-3) posted consecutive victories for the first time under Coach Jeff Bower. Cincinnati (1-6) outgained Southern Mississippi, 325 yards to 318, but was hurt by three turnovers.