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UNC takes on Virginia without WR Tate

Oct 18, 2008 - 10:13 AM (21) North Carolina (5-1) at Virginia (3-3), 3:30 pm EDT

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia (Ticker) -- After posting a victory over Notre Dame despite losing wide receiver Brandon Tate to an injury, North Carolina learned this week they will be without the star play-maker for the remainder of the season.

The 21st-ranked Tar Heels will look to overcome Tate's absence and improve on their best start since 1997 when they visit Virginia in an Atlantic Coast Conference matchup Saturday.

North Carolina opened the 1997 campaign with an 8-0 record.

Tate tore his anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament in his right knee during last week's 29-24 victory over Notre Dame. He suffered the injury returning a punt in the first quarter.

A senior, Tate is the NCAA's all-time leader in combined kick return yards with 3,523. In six games this season, he led the ACC with 163.7 all-purpose yards per game.

It is the second devastating injury to hit the Tar Heels so far this season. Starting quarterback T.J. Yates suffered a non-displaced fracture in his left ankle during North Carolina's only loss this season, a 20-17 setback to Virginia Tech on September 20.

"We lose a teammate and we lose a friend," said quarterback Cameron Sexton, who has stepped in for Yates. "First of all, we're concerned about (Tate). Second of all, we know someone has to step up."

Outside of Hakeem Nicks, who leads the Tar Heels (5-1, 1-1 ACC Coastal) with 33 receptions, 553 yards and four touchdowns, nine other players have combined for just 34 catches, 299 yards and a pair of scores.

After an embarrassing 31-0 loss to Duke three weeks ago, Virginia has bounced back with consecutive home wins to return to .500.

The Cavaliers followed up a 31-0 win over Maryland with a 35-20 triumph over upstart East Carolina last week.

Cedric Peerman ran for 173 yards and a pair of long touchdowns while the defense held the Pirates, who posted early season upsets of West Virginia and Virginia Tech, to just 89 yards yards rushing and sacked quarterback Pat Pinkney six times.