Updated 5:38 p.m.

CHAPEL HILL - At first, North Carolina quarterback Bryn Renner said, he just missed open receivers against a Louisville defense that put tremendous pressure on him.

But after being held to two first downs and 62 yards in a dreadful first half, Renner and the Tar Heels’ offense bounced back after halftime Saturday in a 14-7 win at Kenan Stadium.

Redshirt freshman Giovani Bernard ran for 79 of his 109 yards after halftime, becoming the first North Carolina player with four straight 100-yard rushing performances since Ethan Horton had five in a row in 1984.

North Carolina’s defense prevented Louisville from scoring until 42 seconds remained in the fourth quarter, narrowly missing its first shutout since 1999. And Renner directed two second-half touchdown drives against a defense that led the nation in tackles for loss with nine per game entering this week.