North Carolina comes back to win opener 35-27 Posted Aug 31, 2008 Brandon Tate's strong legs and shifty moves helped North Carolina score three touchdowns in a span of 15:15 starting late in the third quarter to defeat McNeese State in its season opener. North Carolina won 35-27 to give Coach Butch Davis his second season-opening win in a row. Tate amassed 397 all-purpose yards to set a school record. The former mark was 339 yards set in 1986 by running back Derrick Fenner against Virginia. (Winston-Salem Journal)