1980 Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl

August 2023 March 2026 Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl December 31 1980 1980 Texas Longhorns 7–4 Fred Akers 0 7 0 0 Amos Lawrence, RB Steve Streater, Safety North Carolina Tar Heels 10–1 Dick Crum 13 11 6 7 3 0 Mizlou Ray Scott, John Unitas, and Howard David bg Astrodome Houston, Texas Robert Aillet (SEC); (substitute for Jimmy Harper of SEC due to death in Harper's family) 36,667 The 1980 Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl was a college football postseason bowl game between the Texas Longhorns and the Carolina Tar Heels. Background The Tar Heels were champions of the Atlantic Coast Conference for the second time in four seasons and the first under Dick Crum. This was their second straight bowl game appearance and first Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl. Texas was in their first Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl since 1975 after finishing fourth in the Southwest Conference. Game summary Amos Lawrence gave the Tar Heels an early lead on a 59-yard touchdown run. The Tar Heels decided to go for a two-point conversion, which failed, keeping the score at 6–0. Mike Luck gave the Longhorns a 7–6 lead on his touchdown run in the second quarter. Kelvin Bryant gave North Carolina the lead on his go-ahead touchdown run to make it 13–7 at halftime. After allowing 224 yards and 11 first downs in the first half, the Tar Heel defense stiffened up and allowed only two first downs and 36 yards in the second half. They forced a fumbled punt snap later converted into a field goal by Jeff Hayes to make it 16–7 while closing out the scoring and securing the Tar Heel win.http://www.goheels.com/fls/3350/old_site/pdf/m-footbl/history121-156.pdf?spid=12962&db_oem_id=3350 Archived copy July 29, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222344/http://www.goheels.com/fls/3350/old_site/pdf/m-footbl/history121-156.pdf?SPID=12962&DB_OEM_ID=3350 March 3, 2016 dead Aftermath The Tar Heels did not return to the Bluebonnet Bowl before its discontinuation and have not won an ACC title since 1980. The Longhorns returned to the Bluebonnet Bowl in 1985 and 1987. Statistics Statistics North Carolina Texas First downs 16 13 Yards rushing 234 132 Yards passing 121 128 Total yards 355 260Punts-Average 5-37.0 5-43.6Fumbles-Lost 0-0 4-1Interceptions 0 1Penalties-Yards 5-35 3-35 References Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl Category:Bluebonnet Bowl Category:North Carolina Tar Heels football bowl games Category:Texas Longhorns football bowl games Astro-Bluebonnet Astro-Bluebonnet Category:1980 in Houston