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CHAPEL HILL (AP) — Ryan Houston kept bulling his way through running lanes and using his 245-pound frame to drag tacklers an extra yard or two on every carry.

It used to be the way North Carolina liked to attack short-yardage or goal-line running situations. Now, it's the way the Tar Heels will have to run the football for the rest of the season if they want to get back to a bowl.

Houston had career highs of 37 carries and 164 yards in the 19-6 win against Duke, a performance that came after starter Shaun Draughn was lost for the season with a shoulder injury suffered on the first offensive play. Now Houston is preparing for another big workload as the lead back heading into Saturday's game against No. 12-ranked Miami and his team one victory from bowl eligibility.

"I've been knowing (the plays) for going on three years, so I know the playbook," Houston said Monday. "I'm not hesitating in there because I know everything that's going on."

Before the Duke game, Houston's career highs were 18 carries and 74 yards for the Tar Heels (6-3, 2-3 ACC). But he had 10 carries alone in the fourth quarter on the clock-draining drive that ended with Jheranie Boyd's clinching touchdown on an end around with about seven minutes left.

With Draughn out, the Heels gave two carries to Anthony Elzy, who moved from fullback to his original position of tailback about two weeks ago.

Houston's power running game might be better suited for the Tar Heels considering their offensive line has battled injuries and illness for much of the season. While Draughn was a home-run threat with more speed, Houston has always run through contact and kept the pile moving forward.

That should help quarterback T.J. Yates, who has struggled with his passing accuracy for much of the year.

"It's awesome handing the ball off to a guy and then watching him kind of punch people," Yates said. "I'm looking forward to seeing how well he runs helps on our play-action pass."

Houston will have to improve his conditioning, though. For most of the season, he's looked sharp partly because he's always been fresh with a reduced workload.

"It's like, just get the yards when it's third down and short," Houston said. "Now I'm the primary back, but it's the same thing. Just get yards and be smart with the football and help the offensive line."