The death of Mike Voight leaves a void, but one the Heels’ all-time best, ‘Gone but never Forgotten’

The football backfield of Mike Voight and James ‘Boom Boom’ Betterson has to be one of the best in college football history, along with Eric Dickerson and Craig James at SMU, but Mike Voight did things at the University of North Carolina, that others can only dream of ever doing……One of the greatest all-time in the ACC football circles died this week at age 58 and former Grimsley Whirlie and UNC SID Emeritus Rick Brewer took the time to write about Mike Voight, at GoHeels/TarHeels Blue.com….Read on Rick and we have a link to take you to the site for more on this outstanding ACC runningback Mike Voight…..

When Mike Voight passed away this week, he left behind a legacy of football greatness at North Carolina.

He is still the second-leading rusher in school history and ranks second in career touchdowns. He was ACC Player of the Year in both 1975 and 1976.

Voight ran for 3,971 yards and scored 42 touchdowns from 1973 to 1976 at Carolina. He was the first ACC player to ever post three 1,000-yard rushing seasons. At the conclusion of his career he ranked fifth in college football history in rushing.

He led the ACC in rushing in 1975 with 1,250 yards and in 1976 with 1,407. Voight had split time with James Betterson at tailback in 1974, but still finished with 1,033 yards. He finished sixth nationally in rushing as both a junior and senior.

Voight was one of the most highly recruited running backs in the nation at Indian River High School in Chesapeake, Va. He could have played anywhere in the country. But, Carolina Coach Bill Dooley had built a strong recruiting base in the Tidewater area.

Plus, Voight felt the Tar Heel offense would be perfect for him. Just as importantly, he would be close to home and his mother could see every game. She also travelled to every road game during his time here. In the end, Carolina was the choice over Ohio State, Oklahoma, Alabama and all the others.

Not since Charlie Justice, or perhaps Danny Talbott, had such a heralded football player arrived on campus. Still, Voight played strictly on special teams for his first seven games. An injury to Billy Hite finally got him into the offensive backfield. Then came his 1,000-yard seasons.

CLICK HERE or just click to read more from Rick, Rick Brewer, from Greensboro Grimsley High School……

2 thoughts on “The death of Mike Voight leaves a void, but one the Heels’ all-time best, ‘Gone but never Forgotten’

  1. The four that played together at about the same time at North Carolina State were four of the best that I have ever seen assembled at one place at the same and that would be:
    Stan Fritts
    Willie Burden
    Roland Hooks
    and Charley Young….

    Great football in that day with Bill Dooley coaching at North Carolina and Lou Holtz at N.C. State……..

  2. Space Cowboy was one of a kind and a great Tar Heel. There will never be another one like him.

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