There was a celebration, a small affair along the south end zone where a few hundred North Carolina fans were gathered. This was largely overlooked as the legions of Virginia Tech fans waited for Frank Beamer to say his final words.
There was a trophy, with UNC securing the Coastal Division and a trip to the ACC championship game, although many Tar Heels fans felt less like celebrating than calculating whether a mere three-point overtime win over the Virginia Tech might’ve actually doomed their team’s playoff hopes.
There was another strong offensive effort, 445 yards against a stout Hokies defense, the most it had allowed in regulation since the opener against Ohio State.