UM barely escapes

’Canes hold off Tar Heels in an inconsistent effort

Braxton Berrios, wide receiver

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — After three consecutive nail-biting wins, this was supposed to be the game where the Miami Hurricanes put together a consistent effort and imposed their will on an opponent as UM coach Mark Richt has so often asked of his team.

The Hurricanes were three-touchdown favorites against a struggling North Carolina team that has been beset by injuries and had just one win entering Saturday afternoon.

Turns out the Tar Heels would give the eighth-ranked Hurricanes all they could handle — and a scare Miami likely won’t forget.

The Hurricanes struggled to move the ball consistently, couldn’t capitalize on the four turnovers forced by its defense and ultimately, the Hurricanes found themselves fighting to hang on in what turned out to be an ugly 24-19 win over the Tar Heels.

For the fourth consecutive week, the Hurricanes found the outcome of a game in question late with North Carolina pulling within a touchdown in the game’s final minutes when Beau Corrales caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from third-string quarterback Nathan Elliott with 3:03 left.

The Hurricanes fumbled their ensuing possession, giving the Tar Heels one last gasp before Miami’s defense forced another North Carolina turnover, this one sealing the