Thanks to two second-quarter interceptions by Kendric Burney, North Carolina went into the locker room with a 20-7 halftime lead against No. 14 Miami.
Burney took the latest pick 77 yards the other way for a touchdown with less than a minute to go in the half. His first interception also led to a field goal.
UNC struck first in the game, with a 29-yard strike from T.J. Yates to Greg Little early in the second quarter. But Miami was quick to respond with a one-yard rush by tailback Graig Cooper.
Connor Barth made his 10th and 11th consecutive field goals for UNC.
Miami looked to be threatening late in the half. Matt Bosher successfully executed a fake punt for a 29-yard gain and fourth-and-10, and it looked like the Hurricanes could grab some momentum back going into the half.
But when UM quarterback Jacory Harris was hit by Bruce Carter as he released a third-down pass, Burney won a jump ball and made a big play for UNC.
It was his second career touchdown and the longest return of his career.
Yates has 146 passing yards and the one score. Harris has 131 yards but three interceptions.
