ATLANTA -- Ronald Curry was considered better than Michael Vick in high school. So, he didn't expect his college career to end like this.

Curry was supposed to be a big star at North Carolina, not a part-time quarterback. He was supposed to be getting ready to make millions in the NFL, not merely hoping for a chance.

"I did well, just not as well as I would have liked to," Curry said Friday as the Tar Heels prepared for the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl against Auburn. "But I love all the things I've been through. I wouldn't change a thing."

Although Curry set school records for total offense (6,236 yards) and passing yards (4,987), there's no denying he didn't live up to the reputation that accompanied him from Hampton High School to Chapel Hill.

His prep numbers were staggering: 90 touchdown passes, 74 rushing scores, 22 more on kickoff or punt returns. Along the way, he led Hampton to three straight state titles.

After a fierce recruiting battle, Curry picked North Carolina over Virginia. Vick, who grew up in Newport News, wound up at Virginia Tech mainly because the Hokies stayed away from Curry.

Vick, of course, had two brilliant college seasons before he was picked No. 1 by the Atlanta Falcons. Curry, on the other hand, has thrown more interceptions (35) than touchdowns (28) in college, completing less than half his passes.

"I tried to live up to the hype," Curry said. "But I played everything in high school. I wasn't just the quarterback. I was a safety, punter, kick returner, punt returner. I feel half my show is on the sidelines. That limited me. In high school, Ronald Curry could do this, do that. Here, I'm just the quarterback."

A part-timer, at that.

In his final season, Curry had to share time with freshman Darian Durant, who turned out to be a better passer.

Durant completed 63.7 percent for 1,843 yards, with 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Curry passed for 1,005 yards, with eight touchdowns, six interceptions and just a 46.3 completion percentage. He missed two games because of an injury and a relative's death.

First-year coach John Bunting plans to keep the job-sharing arrangement in place for Monday night's Peach Bowl. The Tar Heels, after starting 0-3, didn't lose a game when Curry and Durant split the job evenly.

"Each one has done some special things," Bunting said. "We were 7-0 with that rotation. I'm sure we'll do the same thing Monday night. But if Ronald gets a hot hand, we'll stick with him."

Not surprisingly, Curry would prefer to be on the field at all times.

"No quarterback wants to divide time," he said. "But it's worked out well for the team. If it works out well for the team, it works for Ronald Curry."

Auburn doesn't want to get too caught up in trying to figure out which quarterback is on the field.

"When you're out there busting your butt to make plays and get where you need to be on the field, it takes an extreme amount of concentration to see who's behind center on every play," linebacker James Callier said. "We did fine against a lot of strong threats at the quarterback position."

Despite Durant's more impressive numbers, Curry was named the team's offensive MVP. Bunting hopes the senior will get an opportunity to fulfill his potential in the NFL.

"I wish I had another year with Ronald," Bunting said. "I think he could be a tremendous quarterback."