North Carolina earned bowl eligibility and gave the Butch Davis era a statement win Saturday night, upsetting No. 12 Miami 33-24 at Kenan Stadium.
UNC's defense picked off Miami quarterback Jacory Harris four times, and UNC senior cornerback Kendric Burney had three of them. His 170 interception return yards Saturday is an ACC record for return yards — in a season.
Ryan Houston led UNC with 83 rushing yards on 24 carries and T.J. Yates threw for 213 yards and went 17-31 passing with one touchdown.
UNC (7-3, 4-3) scored two defensive touchdowns in the game. Burney returned his second interception 77 yards for a touchdown, and then in the fourth quarter Burney fumbled his third pick to Melvin Williams, who took it in for a score.
Miami's late-game comeback fell short on Burney's third interception, and the Hurricanes (7-3, 3-3) couldn't get UNC off the field in the closing minutes. UNC's last drive ate up 5:18 off the fourth quarter clock, and Miami had a mere 1:51 left in the game.