COLLEGE FOOTBALL PEACH BOWL : Some Happy Returns Give North Carolina 21-17 Victory

No. 19 North Carolina cashed in two second-half returns, including a go-ahead 45-yard interception runback by Cliff Baskerville that gave the Tar Heels a 21-17 victory over No. 24 Mississippi State on Saturday night in the Peach Bowl.

North Carolina’s victory in its first bowl appearance since 1986 was preserved when Kerry Mock intercepted Greg Plump’s pass at the Tar Heel 19 with 2:37 to play after the Bulldogs drove 57 yards.

Two Mississippi State (7-5) touchdowns in the second quarter were nullified because of holding penalties.

Trailing, 14-0, at halftime, North Carolina (9-3) tied the score in the third quarter on a one-yard touchdown run by Natrone Means, and Bracey Walker’s block and 24-yard scoring return of a punt by Scott Jordan.

North Carolina took the lead, 21-14, 2:24 into the fourth quarter when Walker knocked the ball loose from receiver Chris Jones. The ball popped into Baskerville’s hands, and he ran for the go-ahead score.

Mississippi State got to within 21-17 on a 46-yard field goal by Chris Gardner with 8:42 to play.

Plump threw a two-yard touchdown pass to Olando Truitt, and Kenny Roberts scored on a 22-yard run to give the Bulldogs a 14-0 lead after one quarter.

Touchdown pass plays of 82 and 21 yards to Truitt were nullified because of holding penalties.

It was North Carolina’s first postseason appearance since the 1986 Aloha Bowl and the Tar Heels’ first victory in four Peach Bowls.

The Bulldogs have not won a bowl game since beating Kansas State, 10-0, in the 1981 Hall of Fame Bowl.

North Carolina’s victory before 69,125 in the Georgia Dome spoiled a perfect postseason for the Southeastern Conference, which was 5-0 before Mississippi State lost.