Courtesy of GoHeels.com
CHAPEL HILL, N.C.—Drake Maye threw for three touchdowns and ran for two more to continue his strong start to the season and North Carolina opened up Atlantic Coast Conference play with a 41-10 victory over Virginia Tech on Saturday.
Maye, a redshirt freshman, was able to consistently throw downfield, with 13 of his 26 completions going for at least 15 yards. He finished with 363 yards, going 26 of 36.
Josh Downs led UNC (4-1, 1-0 ACC) with eight catches and 120 yards, and tight end Bryson Nesbit added 98 receiving yards on four receptions.
Grant Wells completed 16 of 26 passes for 139 yards and ran for a touchdown, but the Hokies (2-3, 1-1) struggled overall against a Tar Heel defense that turned in its best performance of the season.
Linebacker Cedric Gray picked off Wells in the second quarter, which set up a 16-yard touchdown pass by Maye to Antoine Green one play later to give UNC a 21-3 lead, and the Hokies never never got closer than 11 points.
The Tar Heels gave up nearly 500 yards per game in their first four contests, but UNC limited the number of big gainers by Virginia Tech. Wells never got in an extended rhythm, as the Hokies finished with only 273 yards.
THE TAKEAWAY
Virginia Tech: For the first time this year, Virginia Tech’s defense, which ranked 10th nationally in yards allowed per game, looked vulnerable from start to finish, allowing UNC to record 527 yards of offense. That’s not good news for first-year coach Brent Pry’s team as it prepares to face ranked opponents in two of its next three games.
North Carolina: Maye continues to look more assured than most first-year starters, and UNC’s offense has hardly skipped a beat so far without Sam Howell, now in the NFL. But as impressive as Maye was, Tar Heel coach Mack Brown might be most encouraged by his defense matching the offense’s big day.
UP NEXT
Virginia Tech: The Hokies remain on the road with a trip to No. 24 Pittsburgh on Saturday.
UNC: The Tar Heels will visit Miami on Saturday.
Podcasts/Media
-
Podcast
/ 2 days agoBleav in Carolina Panthers – The One With The Draft Aftermath – Tues April 30th 2024
Hosted by Desmond Johnson, Jonathan Stewart, Schuyler Callihan Plus much more!Audio provided by Bleav...
-
Podcast
/ 7 days agoOutta Pocket with Michael Davis – Fri April 26th 2024
Outta Pocket with Michael Davis Fri Panel: Cody Lachney, Kevin Avery, Desmond Johnson (Producer)...
-
Podcast
/ 1 week agoOutta Pocket with Michael Davis – Thurs April 25th 2024
Hosted by Michael DavisPanel: Mike Mele, Aaron Schneider, Desmond Johnson (Producer) Part of Tobacco...
-
Podcast
/ 1 week agoBleav in Carolina Panthers – The One Before The Draft – Tues April 23rd 2024
Hosted by Tobacco Road Sports Radio’s Desmond Johnson and Panthers all time leading rusher...
WWE
-
Podcast
/ 2 months agoDrop The Mike Podcast – Lodi Interview & Revolution Recap – Weds March 7th 2024
Lodi, former WCW wrestler, joins Drop the Mike this week for a special interview...
-
Podcast
/ 3 months agoDrop the Mike Podcast – Ep 75 – Weds Feb 14th 2024
The slap heard around the world! Join host Michael Davis and John Anthony (from...
-
Podcast
/ 3 months agoDrop The Mike Podcast – Wed Feb 7th 2024
The Rock or Cody Rhodes? Michael Davis is joined by Mike Mele (Mouthing Off...
-
WWE
/ 3 months agoThe Rock vs. Roman Reigns: Dream Match to Reality
On this Friday’s SmackDown, the Royal Rumble winner Cody Rhodes arrived to make his...
NFL/Carolina Panthers
-
NFL
/ 3 days agoMel Kiper questions immediate impact of Panthers offensive additions in 2024 NFL Draft
Published by On3 Mel Kiper is not sure how much of an impact the...
-
NFL
/ 3 days agoESPN: Carolina Panthers’ selection of South Carolina WR Xavier Legette among best Round 1 picks
Published by On3 The Panthers didn’t own a first round pick until they traded...
-
NFL
/ 4 days agoCarolina Panthers signing several UDFA players after NFL Draft
Published by On3 The Carolina Panthers got active following the conclusion of the 2024...
-
NFL
/ 4 days agoReport: Jack Plummer signing with Carolina Panthers as undrafted free agent
Published by On3 The Carolina Panthers are in bringing in some young quarterback depth...