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EAST HARTFORD, Conn. — North Carolina coach Butch Davis said it had to be a first. He couldn't remember another time in his career when he watched his team win on a fourth-quarter safety.

It was a new experience for his players too. Several Tar Heels admitted they didn't even know offensive holding in the end zone resulted in two points for the defensive team. But that's exactly what happened before 38,087 fans at Rentschler Field on Saturday, as No. 19 North Carolina rallied from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat Connecticut 12-10.

"I've never seen that before," said junior tailback Ryan Houston, who gained 32 of his 33 rushing yards in the fourth quarter. "I'm glad. It's an ugly win, but we're going to draw it up on the board. I'm just happy we got out of here with a win."

It was the fewest points for the Tar Heels in a victory since North Carolina defeated Virginia 7-5 in 2005.

North Carolina (2-0) found the escape hatch with 1:32 remaining and both teams thinking ahead to the possibility of overtime. With UConn (1-1) facing third-and-22 from its own 8 after a high snap, reserve quarterback Cody Endres completed a 16-yard pass to Jordan Todman. But it was clear the play wouldn't stand. The yellow flag resting in the end zone was official proof that UConn tackle Dan Ryan had been caught holding Carolina end Robert Quinn.

"I was covering my man and didn't see it, but I didn't even know that was a rule," said cornerback Charles Brown, who had a 37-yard interception return for the Tar Heels. "I saw the coaches on the sideline screaming, 'Safety, safety, safety.' It was a real frustrating game and on the sideline it might have been easy for us to get down on ourselves. But we just said, 'Keep stopping them.' "

As the Tar Heels celebrated, Ryan was a lonely figure on the UConn sideline.

"Nobody wants to be the guy sitting in this chair, having to answer these questions right now," said Ryan, a fifth-year senior. "But this one game is not going to end our season."

North Carolina still had to survive a successful onside kick by the Huskies. UConn moved from its own 31 to midfield before Endres was sacked on fourth down with 26 seconds remaining. Quinton Coples was credited with his second sack but Bruce Carter was applying pressure too.

"I told the chancellor (after the game) that's why you don't see any 100-year-old football coaches," Davis said.

After a sloppy, defensive first half that ended with UConn leading 3-0, Houston played a big part in awakening North Carolina's dormant offense in the fourth quarter. He carried the ball on six of seven plays, including a nine-yard run that eventually led to a 2-yard touchdown pass from T.J. Yates to tight end Zack Pianalto.

That tied the game at 10 with 2:36 remaining, but the Tar Heels paid a price. Pianalto, who caught seven passes for 87 yards, suffered a subtalar dislocation of his right foot in a freak accident after catching the TD pass.

"I really don't know what happened," said Pianalto, who fractured his left fibula last season against Georgia Tech.

Davis said Pianalto's status would be determined after further examination.

North Carolina was without starting fullback Bobby Rome and defensive end Jordan Nix. The school announced Friday that both had tested positive for probable swine flu. Sophomore center Cam Holland made his first career start and Greg Ellery made his first start at offensive guard.

North Carolina 0 0 0 12 — 12
Connecticut 0 3 7 0 — 10

Conn—FG Teggart 47
Conn—Todman 4 run (Teggart kick)
UNC—FG Barth 22
UNC—Pianalto 2 pass from Yates (Barth kick)
UNC—Safety
A—38,087

First downs — UNC 16, UConn 13
Rushes-yards — UNC 38-35, UConn 35-72
Passing — UNC 233, UConn 124
Comp-Att-Int — UNC 23-32-2, UConn 14-26-1
Return Yards — UNC 61, UConn 12
Punts-Avg. — UNC 6-40.7, UConn 7-47.3
Fumbles-Lost — UNC 2-0, UConn 1-1
Penalties-Yards — UNC 5-30, UConn 3-18
Time of Possession — UNC 33:40, UConn 26:20

RUSHING
North Carolina — Houston 7-33, Draughn 14-21, J.White 1-7, Little 3-4, Blue 2-2, Team 3-(minus 6), Yates 8-(minus 26).
Connecticut — Todman 18-66, Dixon 7-21, K.Moore 2-17, Frazer 4-(minus 6), Team 1-(minus 12), Endres 3-(minus 14).

PASSING
North Carolina — Yates 23-32-2-233.
Connecticut — Frazer 11-19-1-94, Endres 3-7-0-30.

RECEIVING
North Carolina — Little 8-45, Pianalto 7-87, Highsmith 4-59, Elzy 2-25, Draughn 2-17.
Connecticut — Kanuch 4-56, Difton 4-25, I.Moore 2-17, Todman 2-9, Griffin 1-13, Dixon 1-4.