Atlanta — North Carolina dominated on defense, while Ronald Curry provided just enough offense to beat Auburn in the Peach Bowl.
Curry scrambled for a 62-yard touchdown and the Tar Heels kept Auburn out of the end zone for nearly 59 minutes, holding on for a 16-10 victory that capped a successful first season for coach John Bunting.
North Carolina (8-5), playing in its first bowl since 1998, built a 16-0 lead but got a scare at the end. After the Tar Heels botched a punt, backup quarterback Daniel Cobb threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Lorenzo Diamond with 1:18 remaining.
But Richard Moore recovered an onside kick to seal North Carolina's victory.
Curry stunned the Tigers in the third. He scrambled for a couple of first downs, then went all the way to the end zone on the longest run of his career.
Curry, the game's offensive MVP, spun away from one would-be tackler and got strong downfield blocking from receiver Chesley Borders as he coasted across the goal line.
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