T.J. Yates was walking off the field at Kenan Stadium last Thursday night when something flew out of the stands and hit him in the helmet. It was thrown by a disgruntled North Carolina fan, upset by the loss to Florida State. Yates said he thought it was a pen, but he didn't stop to find out.

"I'm glad I had my helmet on," Yates said, laughing. "I've been yelled at (before) coming off the field. I guess it was deserving. Some of the fans are upset that we're not producing on the field."

UNC (4-3, 0-3 ACC) and Yates are struggling, but they'll have another chance to silence critics when they play today at Virginia Tech (7:30, ESPN Ch. 33) in their second consecutive Thursday night game. Tech is 5-2 and 3-1.

"I wouldn't take it to that extreme, but I understand their frustration," Yates said. "You can't take that stuff personal. It's just fans being fans. I'd rather have them doing that than not coming to the games."

Yates' production is down, at least slightly, in nearly every important statistical category for quarterbacks. He has 1,028 yards passing and seven touchdown passes but eight interceptions, twice as many as last season. He's averaging 146.9 passing yards a game, down from 166.9 last season when an ankle injury limited him to seven games, and his efficiency rating is 110.08, down from 153.64.

Yates has made no excuses, but things are different this season. The offensive line has been beset by injuries, and the receivers, with the exception of Greg Little, are young and limited in experience.

Yates also is responsible for some problems. He made what Coach Butch Davis termed a "major" mistake last week when FSU intercepted a long pass at the 3-yard line. After a penalty, FSU scored on a 98-yard pass play. The Seminoles wiped out the Tar Heels 24-6 lead and won 30-27.

"When I threw that interception, it kind of turned the whole game around," Yates said. "I'm pretty hard on myself about things like that. I took it pretty hard after the game and the day after. I've got to look at the situation and see what I can do better from it. I kind of forced the ball down the field, which was a stupid decision."

Davis expects a third-season starter like Yates to play better, but acknowledges that UNC's shortcomings, especially the young receivers, are a hindrance.

"I think he's been fine," Davis said. "I think there's things that he obviously wishes (he could do over), plays in particular games. You saw some of the things he did poise-wise. If he was less of an individual, I don't think there's any way that we win at Connecticut."

Yates tries to shut out sniping comments from the stands but admits that sometimes he can't. His confidence isn't an issue, but when he feels down, he'll seek out offensive coordinator John Shoop.

"He kind of keeps me positive about a lot of things," Yates said. "I get pretty down on myself from time to time. It helps a lot for my teammates to give me confidence and get back on the horse and just go back at it...."

Defensive end E.J. Wilson said he thinks that Yates is so concerned about the team's success that he is trying too hard to offset the problems at receiver and on the line.

"When he settles back and plays his game, I feel like he's one of the best in the ACC," Wilson said. "I still have confidence in T.J. There's no anarchy on the team like, 'We need another quarterback'.

"Everybody on our team has total confidence in T.J. because we know what type of person he is. He's going to bounce back. He's not going to let these struggles get him down."

The rest of the team feels likewise. Yates was named a permanent captain earlier this week in a team vote. He was grateful for the support, but his only concern is getting UNC its first ACC win.

"I've definitely played better in the past," Yates said. "I definitely didn't put everything out there on the field (against FSU) that I really liked. There's some things that we've been doing differently this year than in the past. Our offense has changed a little bit. We run the ball a little more.

"We still have that ability to throw the ball deep. We've got to take advantage when that's put in front of us. I definitely believe that I can play a lot better."