Tar Heels QB Drake Maye Leads North Carolina to Victory in Season Opener
Charlotte, N.C. – In a highly-anticipated season opener, North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye delivered a solid performance, leading the Tar Heels to a 31-17 victory over South Carolina at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday night. Maye threw for 269 yards and ran for an additional 25 yards, accounting for two touchdowns.
While these numbers may seem ordinary for the talented quarterback, it was a memorable night for Maye and the Tar Heels. With the victory, Maye showcased his ability to lead the team to victory without needing to set passing records or carry the offense on his own. This was a refreshing change for UNC, which has struggled defensively in recent seasons.
UNC Coach Mack Brown praised Maye’s performance, stating, “Drake was Drake.” Maye’s consistent performance was not surprising, but what stood out was the overall performance of the UNC team. The victory against South Carolina provided answers to many questions surrounding the Tar Heels heading into the season.
One of the concerns was the absence of wide receiver Tez Walker, who is still awaiting NCAA eligibility clearance. However, the team compensatied well without him, and Maye was able to connect with his receivers effectively. Maye completed 24 of his 32 attempts, throwing two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Maye exhibited his modesty when discussing his interceptions, saying, “I tried to do my best to let ’em back in,” but it was the Tar Heels’ defense that was the highlight of the night. The UNC defense, which struggled in previous seasons, showed significant improvement. They recorded nine sacks against South Carolina, compared to just 17 sacks throughout the entire 2022 season.
The victory was a much-needed statement for UNC, as they haven’t had many big wins on a national stage in recent years. The team demonstrated their potential for growth and highlighted their talent on both offense and defense. With the defense finally living up to its potential, expectations are high for the Tar Heels moving forward.
Linebacker Cedric Gray acknowledged the significance of the victory, stating, “Big games, we probably haven’t really won many of them since Coach Brown has been here. So for us to kind of come in our first big game of the season versus an SEC opponent, to get the win is definitely very huge.”
The Tar Heels’ strong defensive showing and Maye’s consistent performance have given the team and their fans hope for a successful season to come. As Gray put it, “I only see us going up… We’re not going backwards.”