Keeping It Heel
Fansided

UNC Football: Top 5 Tar Heel Teams In The Last 40 Years

By Richard Adkins

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 21: North Carolina Tar Heels players take the field during their game against the Appalachian State Mountaineers at Kenan Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Mountaineers won 34-31. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 21: North Carolina Tar Heels players take the field during their game against the Appalachian State Mountaineers at Kenan Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Mountaineers won 34-31. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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21 Sep 1996: Members of the North Carolina Tar Heels raise their helmets high in the air as they celebrate on the sideline during the Tar Heels 16-0 victory over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Mandatory
21 Sep 1996: Members of the North Carolina Tar Heels raise their helmets high in the air as they celebrate on the sideline during the Tar Heels 16-0 victory over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Mandatory /

1996 North Carolina Tar Heels

Next up on the list a season of dominating defense led by head coach Mack Brown

In 1996 Carolina had offenses flustering as the defense brought physical play, interceptions, and overall lockdown defense ranking #1 out of 111 schools in opponents points per game with 10.2. This was also the first time in head coach Mack Brown’s legendary career where he saw a top 10 AP ranking getting as high as 6th in the nation before finishing 10th once the season was completed. The 1996 Tar Heels defense helped lock up a 10-2 record going 6-2 in the conference with a major point difference on the season with 357 points scored to only giving up 123 points.

This season showcased and highlighted an ACC legend and Carolina great defensive back Dre Bly who put fear in the opposing wide receivers. Bly which so happened to be his first season with the Tar Heels had 11 interceptions on the season which led the NCAA and broke the single-season record for UNC. On the offensive side of the ball quarterback, Chris Keldorf kept the Heels in great positions to win throwing for 2347 yards with 23 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions.

This season brought the grit into Carolina while also adding onto the legacy of Mack Brown where fans celebrated the Gator Bowl championship over #25 West Virginia.

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