CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- It was Virginia's good fortune that senior defensive end Chris Long was able to approach Saturday's game at North Carolina with a clear head.

Long had a few anxious moments after hearing that his younger brother, Kyle, had been injured Friday night in Charlottesville, Va.

Kyle Long was immobilized and taken from the field in an ambulance after he suffered a neck injury in a football game between St. Anne's-Belfield and visiting Lynchburg Christian.

"I called my mom and I could tell right away that she didn't sound right," said Chris Long, who was at UVa's team hotel Friday night. "It was in my mind till I heard everything was good around 11:30 [p.m. Friday]."

Long said he spoke with his brother Friday night and again on several occasions Saturday morning.

By then, doctors had determined that Kyle Long had suffered a stinger, which is similar to a pinched nerve.

Chris Long recorded his fifth sack of the season on North Carolina's second series and also had his first career interception in the Cavaliers' 22-20 victory.

"I intercepted the pass and I was like, 'Wow, I've got the ball,' " said Long, whose 25-yard return took the Cavaliers to the UNC 30.

"I just wanted to make sure I didn't fumble it.

"Credit the quarterback [T.J. Yates] for bringing me down. I think I can run, but running with the ball is a little different."

Long said his only other interception came when he was at a freshman at St. Anne's-Belfield, which was playing at North Cross.

Since coming to UVa, Long has never had more than four sacks in a season until this year.

Good call

Nate Collins, whose goal-line deflection ended North Carolina's late two-point attempt, normally shares time with Allen Billyk and said he wasn't sure he was supposed to be in the game.

UVa was in its goal-line defense on Carolina's previous play, a 2-yard touchdown pass from Yates to tight end Richard Quinn, which meant that both nose tackles were in the game.

However, the Cavaliers went to their third-down defense on the ensuing two-point play, which meant that either Collins or Billyk had to come out of the game.

"I asked [Billyk], 'Who's in?' " Collins said. "He told me, 'You can stay in.' I think he could tell I wanted to be out there."

The quarterbacks

Sophomore Jameel Sewell made his 12th straight start for the Cavaliers, although true freshman Peter Lalich saw action for the third game in a row. In fact, Lalich said he had been told he would re-enter the game if North Carolina had forced an overtime period.

Lalich completed his first five passes and finished 7-for-10, but he twice bumped into tailback Cedric Peerman on apparent busted plays. Sewell was 11-of-17 for 96 yards but was sacked four times and took a critical delay call.

"We were a little streaky [at quarterback] today," Groh said. "The numbers were pretty good, but we need to get this huddle operation speeded up. It's never been an issue around here before. It's become one."

Odds 'n' ends

With five field goals, Chris Gould tied a school record previously shared by Rafael Garcia (against Virginia Tech, 1994) and Connor Hughes (Georgia Tech, 2003). ... Two of Gould's kickoffs were not returned, his first touchbacks this season after he had 21 in 2006, before the placement was moved from the 35-yard line to the 30. ... Outside linebacker Jared Detrick became the fifth true freshman to play for UVa this season. ... Yates' 339 passing yards was the most by a Carolina quarterback in the 112-year history of the UNC-UVa rivalry, longest in the South. ... Carolina, which outgained Virginia 399-350, once trailed 216-39 in that category.