UNC football: Drake Maye has officially taken the torch from Sam Howell

UNC football fans rejoice, as Drake Maye has officially taken the torch from Sam Howell.

It was going to be hard for UNC football head coach Mack Brown to replace Sam Howell at quarterback, but he has definitely found his guy under center in Drake Maye.

Maye played tremendously in Week 0’s home win over Florida A&M. While the Rattlers were shorthanded vs. the Tar Heels, Maye had a splendid game for UNC vs. Appalachian State, despite being without his No. 1 wide receiver in Josh Downs. North Carolina may still be a year away, but the Tar Heels clearly have something special at quarterback with Maye taking over for Howell.

This is what happens when you have a quarterback who eats more than merely chicken fingers.

UNC football: Tar Heels have something special at quarterback in Luke Maye

While the defense totally needs some work, Maye can really sling it for the Tar Heels. He kept pace with Appalachian State starter and former Clemson transfer Chase Brice. Even if App State is a Group of Five team, the Mountaineers are one of the best squads in the Sun Belt. Teams in that league have shown they can more than hang with teams in the ACC on the college football field.

While it remains to be seen how North Carolina will stack up with the rest of the teams in the ACC Coastal Division, the Tar Heels don’t seem to be skipping a beat at quarterback with Maye taking over for Howell. This is significant because Howell is the quarterback best associated with the second tenure Brown has had at Chapel Hill. Howell now plays for the Washington Commanders.

On the afternoon, Maye completed 24-of-36 passes for 352 yards, four touchdown passes and no interceptions. He leaned on his rushing attack to help offset not having Downs available to win an absolute barnburner vs. Appalachian State, 63-61. A lesser quarterback would have lost under these circumstances, but for Maye, this is another pelt on the wall. What a great second win!

For the foreseeable future, when it comes to who starts under center at UNC, it’s gonna be Maye.

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