Keeping It Heel
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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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27 Sep 1997: Jonathan Linton #27 of North Carolina flies in the air as Wali Rainer #44 of the Virginia Cavaliers falls to the ground during the Tar Heels 48-20 win at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /Allsport
27 Sep 1997: Jonathan Linton #27 of North Carolina flies in the air as Wali Rainer #44 of the Virginia Cavaliers falls to the ground during the Tar Heels 48-20 win at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /Allsport /

1997 North Carolina Tar Heels

Leaping into number 1 for the best Tar Heel football team in the last 40 years the 1997 North Carolina Tar Heels led by head coaches Mack Brown and Carl Torbush

The 1997 Tar Heels were full of sparks and excitement going 11-1 overall and 7-1 in the conference and their defense was a big reason why. They gave up an average of 12.2 points per game which ranked 2nd out of 112 schools. The defense was a true threat for any offense holding opposing quarterbacks completion average to 46%.

The 1997 roster also had some true talent like Jonathan Linton who rushed for 1004 yards with 10 touchdowns and caught 29 passes for 286 yards and a touchdown. The roster also included fan favorite and Carolina great defensive back Dre Bly who had 5 interceptions on the season one which he returned for a touchdown.

The 1997 Tar Heels ended the season on the tear winning the last 3 games including a 50-14 win over Duke and 42-3 win over Virginia Tech in the Gator Bowl. The pure domination and impressive win percentage of .917 which is tied for best all-time in school history are why the 1997 Tar Heels snags the title of best Carolina football team in the last 40 years!

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