09/28/2005

Associated Press

RESURGENCE?: After three miserable seasons, North Carolina's defense is ranked in the middle of the national statistics and appears improved three games into the 2005 season.

PAST WOES: From 2002-04, the Tar Heels allowed an average of 35 points and 468 yards per game. That included three straight seasons of allowing 5,000 or more total yards after doing so just once since 1931.

CURRENTLY: North Carolina is allowing 21.7 points and 349.7 yards per game heading into Saturday's game against Utah, which had 669 total yards — the most ever allowed by the Tar Heels — in last year's 46-16 win.