The sophomore suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in the second quarter. Curry, who also plays guard for the basketball team, completed 2-of-4 passes for 13 yards but also had three rushes for 35 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown dash midway through the first quarter.

Curry underwent successful surgery to repair his ruptured right Achilles tendon Sunday. Dr. Tim Taft, the director of North Carolina's sports medicine department and the man who performed the surgery, said that Curry would be out of action for four to six months -- meaning that he will miss the football and 1999-2000 men's basketball seasons. The two-sport star said that he'll likely redshirt in basketball rather than rush back too soon.

The 6-2 Curry has struggled this season -- his first full season as starter -- completing just 54-of-109 passes (49.5 percent) for 682 yards and three touchdowns with 11 interceptions. He completed 44.7 percent of his passes for 978 yards and six touchdowns last season and helped the Tar Heels to the Las Vegas Bowl.

With the Tar Heels currently 1-4, it seemed unlikely they would contend for a bowl berth and that would have made Curry available to the basketball team earlier than last season. As a reserve player, Curry averaged 2.8 points and 1.7 assists in 26 games as a freshman.

He was expected to see playing time as a backup to point guard Ed Cota and possibly play alongside the senior in the backcourt.