What a game it was!
North Carolina took Duke down in one of the best games in series history. The back-and-forth contest went to double overtime and took some late-game heroics. Was that Drake Maye’s last game in Kenan Memorial Stadium? If it was, that was the perfect encapsulation of his career.
Heroics
Maye had a lot to do with this win. Obviously, it takes a team, but Maye pulled off some of the wildest things you will ever see on a football field. After taking a snap and moving up the pocket, the Duke defense looked to have him stuffed, but Maye looked to his left as he was hit and pitched the ball to star running back Omarion Hampton for a big gain.
After Duke scored to take the lead with 41 seconds left, Maye drove the team down the field to set up a field goal to go to overtime.
In the second overtime, he took the snap from the five-yard line and pushed through defenders for the touchdown. On the 2-point conversion attempt, Maye moved up in the pocket like he was going to run it in which moved the defensive back down. This left tight end John Copenhaver wide open, and as Maye took a big hit, he threw it to Copenhaver to take an eight-point lead.
That could be the last possession of Maye’s career in Kenan, and it was fantastic.
Final Stats: 28/43 passing for 342 yards and one touchdown. He rushed for 22 yards and two touchdowns.
NFL Projection
Maye is one of the best quarterback prospects the NFL has seen in recent years. Although he will still have eligibility after the season, it will be hard to turn down being an early first-round pick. In CBS Sports latest mock draft, they have him being selected second overall by the New York Giants. He has been hyped as a top pick since last season, and that has not changed.
Maye has been unbelievable at UNC, and he will always be appreciated by North Carolina fans.
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