Mikell Simpson ran for the game-clinching touchdown in the fourth quarter while Virginia's defense turned in a dominating performance to beat North Carolina 16-to-three on Saturday.

Robert Randolph kicked three field goals for the Cavaliers (1-3, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), who came out of a bye week with a desperately needed win after a terrible start to the season. The Cavs didn't need much offense the way their defense locked down on the Tar Heels' offense, holding North Carolina (3-2, 0-2) to 174 total yards.

Simpson ran for 10 yards while Jameel Sewell threw for just 136, but the Cavaliers avoided momentum-killing turnovers and kept the Tar Heels playing catch-up all day.

T.J. Yates threw for just 135 yards and had an interception that led to Simpson's touchdown with 5:49 left, while the Tar Heels managed just 39 yards rushing.