What has already been a trying season for North Carolina finally got a little better on Saturday afternoon.

The short-handed Tar Heels finally notched their first victory of the season after rallying past host Rutgers for a 17-13 decision at Rutgers Stadium. The much-needed victory couldn’t have come at a better time for a UNC squad that had high expectations before being gutted by an ongoing NCAA investigation that has left 12 players still sidelined.

The Tar Heels, who had suffered close losses to LSU and Georgia Tech to open the season, forged their first lead of the game at 14-10 when quarterback T.J. Yates found Ryan Taylor for a 5-yard scoring strike with 5:34 left in the third period.

Yates finished the day 22 of 30 for 204 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

The Scarlet Knights (2-1), who host Tulane next week, drew within one point when kicker San San Te booted a 39-yard field goal late in the third quarter to bring the score to 14-13.