5/21/2016 football Edit

No. 11: Mike Voight

Perhaps no player personified the grittiness of the Bill Dooley era more than RB Mike Voight.

Andrew Jones • TarHeelIllustrated

Publisher

Andrew Jones has covered sports for 26 years, including all major college & professional sports for daily newspapers & national sites. He's done radio and TV & is entering his seventh year at THI.

No. 11

Name: Mike Voight

Position: RB

Jersey #: 44

Years:

Honors: 2nd-team All-America in 1976; 2-time ACC Player of the Year in 1975 and 1976; Named to the 50-year 50 Greatest ACC Players Ever team.

Notable Stats: 3,971 career rushing yards (2nd all-time at UNC); ran the ball 843 times for an average of 4.8 yards per attempt; Scored 42 career touchdowns, including 18 as a senior; caught 10 passes for 88 yards

In Closing: The second all-time leading rusher in UNC history, Voight was as dependable and reliable as they have ever come in Chapel Hill. When his career ended, he was the fifth all-time leading rusher in college football history. He ran for 1,000-plus yards in three different seasons and in 1976 finished 8th in the Heisman Trophy balloting. He led the ACC in rushing twice.

Capped his career at Kenan Stadium with a 261-yard performance in a 39-38 thriller over Duke. He carried the ball an amazing 47 times that game scoring four times, including the game-winning touchdown with 37 seconds left to play. He closed that season playing his best football, totaling 612 yards in his last three games. Ran for 1,407 yards that season. The “Space Cowboy” left an on-field legacy at Carolina, but also one off the field, as he was one of the most unique characters to ever play for the Tar Heels. He was also one of the best.

Prior Ranked Heels

30 - Natrone Means

29 - Jack Merritt

28 - Landon Turner

27 - Chris Hanburger

26 - Jeff Saturday

25 - Bob Lacey

24 - Bracey Walker

23 - Ethan Horton

22 - Brian Blados

21 - Leon Johnson

20 - George Barclay