North Carolina football: 3 takeaways from thrilling win over App State

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Sep 3, 2022; Boone, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye (10) keeps the ball for a run against the Appalachian State Mountaineers during the first quarter at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /

Drake Maye was outstanding against the Mountaineers

It took a bit before the North Carolina offense got rolling, but they could not be stopped once it did. There were questions about the offense after the injuries to wide receiver Antoine Green and running back British Brooks before the season started. Couple that with an injury that kept star receiver, Josh Downs, out of today’s game, and it seemed like the offense would struggle.

The opposite proved to be true this afternoon, and that fact was due to the outstanding performance of redshirt freshman quarterback Drake Maye. The blue-chipper from Charlotte threw for 352 yards and four touchdowns, leading an offense that amassed 567 yards.

Maye also chipped in 76 rushing yards and a touchdown for good measure.

The defense needs some work

Mack Brown has proven he can come home during his second stint with the Tar Heels. New defensive coordinator Gene Chizik is proving to be a bit more complicated in his second time. The defense allowed 279 passing yards to a depleted Florida A&M offense and 664 total yards to App State this afternoon.

This was a unit that Brown emphasized during his return to Chapel Hill. Defensive back coach and former Tar Heel Dre Bly had spearheaded the recruiting, signing some highly-touted players. However, App State got what they wanted against the Tar Heels today, leaving many to wonder if UNC is headed to another 7-6 season.

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