Top 20 UNC Football Teams: No. 3 - 1981

Posted May 16, 2020
Sitting at 6-0 and ranked No. 3 in the nation in 1981, the Tar Heels hosted a solid South Carolina team at Kenan Stadium. North Carolina started the season on fire, routing nonconference foes while racking up huge numbers, including by tailback Kelvin Bryant, who was on his way to serious Heisman Trophy contention when he went down with a knee injury. (Tar Heel Illustrated)

Related: Football, Football Recruiting

Lawrence Taylor doing ‘much better’ after scary hospitalization
Lawrence Taylor’s recent scary medical issue is in his rearview mirror. The New York Giants legend, who spent several days in a hospital this spring,...
Sat May 23, 2026

UNC Football’s Home-And-Home Series With South Carolina Canceled
The upcoming North Carolina and South Carolina home-and-home football series scheduled for 2028 in Columbia and 2029 in Chapel Hill, has been canceled. Last year,...
Fri May 22, 2026

Bill Belichick Opens Up About UNC, Recruiting and College Football
Entering his second season with the Tar Heels, North Carolina Football coach Bill Belichick sat down for a two-hour exclusive interview with FOX television recently...
Thu May 21, 2026

Video: Carolina Football - The Process, Episode 2
North Carolina Football's long-form video feature The Process, Episode 2 goes behind-the-scenes with the Tar Heels' to highlight preparations for the upcoming season, team-building activities,...
Wed May 20, 2026