CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina (Ticker) -- Ronnie McGill almost singlehandedly helped North Carolina end its longest home losing streak in school history.
McGill rushed for 244 yards and three touchdowns on 29 carries as the Tar Heels snapped a 10-game home slide with a 42-34 Atlantic Coast Conference victory over Wake Forest.
McGill became the first North Carolina running back to surpass 100 yards this season. The freshman scored on runs of six, five and 34 yards, and his 66-yard scamper set up a field goal in the third quarter.
North Carolina turned to McGill after Chad Scott suffered a neck injury in the first quarter.
The Tar Heels (2-8, 1-5) recorded their first ACC win of the season and won at Kenan Stadium for the first time since beating Southern Methodist on December 1, 2001.
Darian Durant completed just 12-of-26 passes for 147 yards with two touchdowns and an interception for the Tar Heels, who opened a 35-13 lead on McGill's 34-yard TD burst with 2:40 left in the third period.
Wake Forest (5-5, 3-4), was unable to build on last week's 45-17 win at Clemson, turning the ball over three times and struggling with its kicking game. The Demon Deacons, who came into the game with an ACC-low 12 turnovers, fumbled on a punt and kickoff return and also had field goals and an extra point blocked.
Chris Barclay rushed for 160 yards and a touchdown on 35 carries for Wake Forest, including 122 of the Demon Deacons' 303 yards in the first half.
Wake Forest took a 13-7 lead on Cory Randolph's 52-yard TD pass to Jason Anderson with 4:58 remaining in the second quarter. But the Tar Heels got two points when Michael Waddell blocked the extra point and Lionell Green returned it 91 yards.
North Carolina took the lead for good, 16-13, on McGill's six-yard TD run with 1:52 left in the first half, then broke it open with 19 unanswered points in the third period.
