The Tar Heels were champions of the Atlantic Coast Conference for the second time in four seasons and the first under Dick Crum.
Amos Lawrence gave the Tar Heels an early lead on a 59-yard touchdown run.
Kelvin Bryant gave North Carolina the lead on his go-ahead touchdown run to make it 13–7 at halftime.
They forced a fumbled punt snap later converted into a field goal by Jeff Hayes to make it 16–7 while closing out the scoring and securing the Tar Heel win.
[1] The Tar Heels did not return to the Bluebonnet Bowl before its discontinuation and have not won an ACC title since 1980.