This series will determine the ultimate UNC football uniform combination. Each week, your vote decides which set advances to the next round.
The bracket is set for the UNC Football Uniform Four. After a decisive victory last week by the overall No. 1 seed, here is updated bracket for the semifinals (click to enlarge):
Two current uniforms advanced to the semifinals, and it is not surprising. These uniforms are the perfect mixture of unique and classic.
The Nike redesign of all UNC sports uniforms in 2015 created design continuity across athletics. The looks of revenue and non-revenue sports are connected, which builds a type of single identity among the student-athletes, and makes marketing a whole lot easier for the athletic department.
One of the best things about the current uniform set is that (besides the navy alternates) helmets, jerseys, and pants are used interchangeably in combinations that still look great.
And do not forget that beautiful argyle. It is arguably the best accent in college sports.
3. 2015-present blue on white with white helmet
A moment in this uniform
This is the final game profile in this series for this uniform set. The North Carolina Tar Heels donned this combination in the 2015 edition of the South’s Oldest Rivalry.
The game did not get off on the right foot for the Heels. After 10 plays, Mack Hollins was stripped of the ball after a completion and the Cavaliers returned it to midfield. Seven plays later, Virginia opened the scoring with a 35-yard field goal.
On the next drive, another fumble was forced by UVA, but Carolina recovered. A couple of plays later, quarterback Marquise Williams gained 31 yards on the keeper to put UNC in the redzone. On the next play, T.J. Logan took it 16 yards to give the Heels the lead.
Virginia responded in short order, set up by a 53-yard run into the Carolina redzone. Four plays later, the Wahoos went back ahead 10-7.
Each team started the second quarter with punts. Carolina’s next possession had a couple of big plays from running back Elijah Hood and wide receiver Bug Howard. Hood broke off a 13-yard run, and Howard brought down a 36-yard catch on the goalline. On the next play, Hood punched it in for the touchdown. A failed two-point conversion put the Carolina lead at 13-10.
On the next Carolina possession, Williams was picked off. This led to a nearly five minute drive that ended with a field goal for Virginia. The teams were tied at 13 at the half.
The second half was dominated by the Carolina defense. UNC forced five turnovers in six Virginia possessions in the second half. Cornerback Malik Simmons had two interceptions, while safety Sam Smiley and linebacker Shakeel Rashad picked off one each. The Virginia fumble was forced by defensive end Mikey Bart and recovered by defensive tackle Robert Dinkins.
Kicker Nick Weiler hit a 29-yard after the first interception by Virginia to push UNC ahead 16-13. A six minute, 93-yard drive started by the Tar Heels in the third quarter was finished off on the first play of the fourth quarter moved the Heels ahead by 10. Weiler added a 37-yard field goal after the second UVA interception for the last score of the game, making it 26-13 Carolina.
Check out the highlights, via the ACC Digital Network:
7. 2015-present all white “Stormtrooper”
A moment in this uniform
It may not be the most memorable, but it certainly was a record-breaking game for UNC in the final game of the 2015 season. No. 10 Carolina faced off against No. 17 Baylor in the Russell Athletic Bowl.
The first drive of the game might have been the best defensively for the Tar Heels. They thwarted the Baylor drive on a fourth down attempt in Carolina territory. UNC responded by putting together a 69-yard drive that ended with a 9-yard touchdown pass from Williams to tight end Brandon Fritts.
Baylor responded with a touchdown to tie the game, and then forced Carolina to punt. A touchdown on the Bears’ next drive put them up 14-7. A big Carolina return and a Baylor penalty gave the Heels great field position, but the stalled drive ended with a Weiler 32-yard field goal.
Once again, Baylor ran the ball with ease and scored another touchdown. An interception ended the next Carolina drive, and the Bears took advantage by scoring another touchdown.
Carolina ran the two-minute drill and went 75 yards in just over a minute and a half to score on a Williams keeper to make it a 28-17 Baylor lead at the half. Without their starting and backup quarterbacks, and 1,000-yard running back, Baylor still managed 358 rushing yards in the first half.
With the ball to start the second half, the Heels came out swinging. They strung together a 75-yard drive that ended with a Williams rushing TD that brought UNC within four.
On the next Baylor possession, safety Dominquie Green stopped the Bears’ drive with an interception inside the UNC 10. However, the Tar Heels could not take advantage, and were forced to punt on a three and out.
Baylor scored on the ensuing drive to push their lead back to 11 points at 35-24. However, the Heel would not give up. On the next drive, Hood broke off a 67-yard run to give UNC a first and goal from the Baylor 8-yard line. Unfortunately, two plays later Logan fumbled on the goalline and the Bears recovered for a touchback.
On the very next play after the fumble, the comeback attempt was effectively over as the Bears took it 80 yards on the ground to the house to make it 42-24.
The teams traded touchdowns in the fourth, and a late score by the Tar Heels made the final score a 49-38 Baylor victory.
Here are the highlights, via the ACC Digital Network:
What do you like best about these uniforms? What special moments do you remember while these uniforms were on the gridiron?
Vote below for your favorite. The poll ends next Wednesday.
Poll
Which uniform advances to the championship?
This poll is closed
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78%
3. 2015-present blue on white with white helmet
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21%
7. 2015-present all white "Stormtrooper"