ANNAPOLIS, Md. _ North Carolina coach Mack Brown told anyone who would listen that the Tar Heels were going to win right away in his first season back.
Few believed it. The Tar Heels were coming off a 2-9 season in 2018 and 3-9 in 2017.
Turns out, he was right.
And just as the Tar Heels opened their season with a victory, they ended it with one, too.
The Tar Heels dominated Temple in the Military Bowl, 55-13, on Friday. They finished the season 7-6, their first winning campaign since 2016. It was also the Tar Heels' first bowl win since 2013.
Brown is now 14-8 in bowl games, and 4-2 at UNC.
Temple entered with some big wins, including a 30-28 victory over Memphis, which is playing in a New Year's Six bowl game (Cotton Bowl).
But in this game, the Tar Heels looked more confident, more polished and the better overall team.
They were led by true freshman quarterback Sam Howell, who for much of this season has delivered when needed. He completed 25 of 34 passes for 294 yards and three touchdowns.
He even caught a 2-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter.
The Tar Heels' defense was just as good. It allowed only two touchdowns, and in the third quarter scored one of its own. Storm Duck intercepted Temple quarterback Anthony Russo and took it back 20 yards for a score.
It was one of three touchdowns the Tar Heels scored in the third quarter. And by the end of that quarter, the game was all wrapped up, as the Tar Heels led by four touchdowns.
The Tar Heels' 42-point victory was their second-largest of the season. They never trailed in this game.
The Tar Heels intercepted two passes, including the pick-six from Duck. The second interception was by UNC linebacker Tomon Fox in the fourth quarter. They won the turnover battle 2-1.
The Tar Heels had one of their best offensive performances. They gained 534 total yards. They did it by establishing the run.
Even Howell got into the action. He had 53 yards rushing at halftime. That kept Temple guessing all game. Running it with Howell is something the Tar Heels haven't been able to do this season, with the lack of depth at the position. Backup quarterback Jace Ruder missed a majority of the season with a leg injury.
The Tar Heels made few mistakes on Friday. But one they did make was a turnover in the third quarter. Junior wide receiver Dazz Newsome caught a screen pass from Howell and fumbled it as he was tackled. The turnover gave the Owls the ball near the 50-yard line and set up a 45-yard touchdown a short time later.
Howell, who won the game's MVP award, passed Clemson's Tahj Boyd for third place for most passing touchdowns in a single season in the ACC. He finished with 38.
Boyd threw 36 passing touchdowns in 2012 and Howell entered the game one behind him. The ACC record is 41, by Clemson's Deshaun Watson in 2016.
UNC junior running back Michael Carter rushed for over 1,000 yards this season.
And UNC wide receivers Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome became the fourth and fifth UNC receivers to join the 1,000-yard club. They are also the first UNC wide receiver duo to get a 1,000-yard season in the same year.
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