North Carolina Football: 3 takeaways from Tar Heels’ Military Bowl win

3. Sam Howell ends his freshman year strong

It has been a solid season all around for Tar Heels quarterback Sam Howell in his first year piloting the North Carolina offense. The youngster came in and immediately gave the Tar Heels a spark in Mack Brown’s first season at the helm, breaking Trevor Lawrence’s record for touchdown passes by a true freshman even before the Military Bowl started. In his final game of the year, he once again revealed why he will be a player to watch once again next season.

In the first half, Howell was nearly unbeatable. Completing 15 of his 21 passing attempts in the first and second quarters, Howell threw for 181 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Howell also boasted 53 rushing yards on three keepers by the intermission, showcasing his wheels and his arm against a solid Temple defense.

Howell ran once for positive yardage in the second half, scrambling after his pocket broke down and nearly picking up a first down, but the play was called back on a holding penalty. The Tar Heels didn’t need Howell to use his legs to break down Temple in the second half, though, as his arm did enough damage. He added a third touchdown pass and finished with 294 yards through the air on 25-of-34 passing.

For good measure, Howell even added a two-yard touchdown catch from Rontavius Groves on a trick play.

As we enter the 2020 season, Howell will be a player to watch in the ACC. Already the FBS record holder with 38 touchdown passes as a true freshman, Howell will be back for at least two more seasons in Chapel Hill.