CHAPEL HILL, N.C. _ Clemson coach Dabo Swinney called his last trip to Chapel Hill in 2010 a "miserable night" when previewing this week's game.
His Tigers were a couple of yards away from having another miserable night on Saturday.
No. 1 Clemson stuffed North Carolina's two-point conversion try with 1:17 remaining as the Tigers held on for a 21-20 victory at Kenan Stadium.
Clemson (5-0, 3-0) took its first lead on a 38-yard touchdown pass from Trevor Lawrence to Tee Higgins with 9:54 left in the game, before UNC answered right back.
The Tar Heels drove 75 yards in 16 plays, taking 8:32 off the clock, before Javonte Williams scored from a yard out with 1:17 left to cut Clemson's lead to 21-20. North Carolina coach Mack Brown called timeout and opted to go for the two-point conversion and the lead rather than kicking the extra point. But Brent Venables' defense snuffed it out.
UNC quarterback Sam Howell faked a handoff and rolled right on an option play but Clemson defended it well. Howell was stopped at the 2, preserving the victory.
